Savannah Bananas Owner Jesse Cole on Changing The World of Sports and Entertainment
Jan 7, 2025
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Jesse Cole, founder of Fans First Entertainment and owner of the Savannah Bananas, shares insights on revolutionizing sports entertainment. He discusses the team's unique fan-centric approach, transforming the dullness of traditional baseball into a vibrant experience filled with dance teams and inclusivity. Jesse emphasizes the importance of engaging fans beyond just numbers, nurturing a passionate community. He reflects on strategic growth, innovative ticketing, and the necessity of constructive feedback for continuous improvement in the sports world.
Jesse Cole emphasizes the critical role of a captivating customer experience, inspired by successful entertainers and brands beyond sports.
The innovative Banana Ball format showcases the team's commitment to experimentation by removing traditional slow elements for enhanced fan engagement.
Cole highlights the importance of nurturing a loyal fan base through initiatives like the K Club, prioritizing community connection over broad market appeal.
Deep dives
Creating a Unique Customer Experience
The importance of a captivating customer experience is emphasized, drawing inspiration from various successful entertainers and brands rather than just sports teams. The founder of Fans First Entertainment, Jesse Cole, highlights the shift he and his team made when they noticed fans leaving games early, leading them to rethink the traditional baseball experience. They incorporated unconventional elements like a breakdancing coach and a senior citizen dance team to enhance entertainment value. Ultimately, their aim was to create an all-inclusive, fan-first atmosphere, focusing on eliminating boring aspects of the game and engaging the audience in innovative ways.
Innovating Through Experimentation
Jesse Cole discusses the experiments initiated to shape the Savannah Bananas' events, particularly the introduction of Banana Ball. This format drastically changed the pace and flow of the game by removing elements that slowed it down, such as walks and mound visits, while integrating fan participation in unique ways. Their commitment to testing new ideas has resulted in sold-out events across various major league stadiums, demonstrating not just a dream but actionable results from continuous innovation. Cole's approach showcases the significance of being willing to adapt and experiment to meet fan expectations.
Emphasizing a Fans First Approach
Cole reveals that the foundation of their success lies in prioritizing the fans' experience, often valuing their feedback above traditional business metrics. They have developed an internal ticket system designed to eliminate hidden fees, effectively addressing one of the major frustrations for fans. This obsession with providing a seamless experience extends to merchandise and overall event enjoyment, reinforcing their commitment to creating a fan-centric environment. Cole's philosophy entails leaving potentially lucrative opportunities behind to ensure quality fan experiences that lead to lasting loyalty.
Building a Thriving Community
The creation of a loyal fan base is vital, as articulated through the concept of the K Club, which fosters a direct relationship with their most dedicated supporters. This initiative allows for tailored benefits and enhances engagement, turning fans into active participants in the Savannah Bananas' narrative. Cole emphasizes the significance of focusing on a smaller group of raving fans rather than just chasing broad market appeal, illustrating this with their success metrics based on community engagement. The strategy acknowledges that deep emotional connections can drive long-term growth and sustainability.
The Vision for Future Expansion
Looking towards the future, Cole envisions the development of 'Banana Land,' drawing parallels to Walt Disney's legacy, emphasizing the creation of an immersive experience for fans. This expansive concept includes individual areas themed around different teams and unique experiences tailored to each brand identity, aimed at fostering community and joy. Jesse Cole expresses a desire not just to expand geographically but to build a holistic environment where fans can engage and build memories with each visit. This approach reflects a commitment to innovation that prioritizes fan interaction and memorable experiences in the evolving landscape of sports entertainment.
Jesse Cole is the founder of Fans First Entertainment, which owns and operates the baseball team the Savannah Bananas. The Bananas have welcomed millions of fans to their ballpark and have been featured on MSNBC, CBS Sunday Morning, HBO and ESPN. They have sold out hundreds of games in a row, have a ticket waiting list of millions, and have done a barnstorming tour where they’ve played at some of America’s most famous stadiums, including my hometown stadium, Fenway Park. Beyond the bananas Jesse is an in-demand speaker and bestselling author of two books, Find Your Yellow Tux and Fans First.
In his second appearance on the Elevate Podcast, Jesse talked about the Savannah Bananas' meteoric rise to fame and how he and his team have revolutionized the world of sports and business.
