Jesse Cole

Jesse Cole, founder and owner of the Savannah Bananas, shares his journey from struggling to revamping baseball into an exhilarating experience with 'Banana Ball.' Forget traditional rules; in this game, stepping out of the box means a strike, and fans catching foul balls means outs! He reveals their all-in ticket package, merging food and fun while ditching ads and fees. With 3.2 million in line for tickets, Jesse's fan-first, long-term strategy has transformed skepticism into fervent support, making the Bananas a viral sensation.

In this entertaining chat, Jesse Cole, founder of the Savannah Bananas and author of 'Fans First', shares his journey from a lackluster career to revolutionizing baseball entertainment. He emphasizes how traditional sports needed a fun overhaul, leading to wildly innovative game experiences. Inspired by icons like Walt Disney and P.T. Barnum, Jesse discusses the Bananas' approach of continuous creativity and fan engagement, including unique rules and energetic performances that turn each game into an unforgettable spectacle.

Join Jesse Cole, the visionary owner of the Savannah Bananas, and players Kyle Jackson, Malachi Mitchel, and Bret Helton as they unveil the explosive fun of Banana Ball. This lively episode reveals how the Bananas merged sports and circus-like antics, transforming traditional baseball into a fan-centric spectacle. They share tales of dancing players, unique rules, and a commitment to community joy. With a focus on breaking barriers and creating unforgettable experiences, they redefine what it means to be a baseball team in the modern world.

Jesse Cole lives life by being different. He is the founder of Fans First Entertainment, which owns and operates the baseball team the Savannah Bananas. The Bananas have welcomed more than 1 million fans to their ballpark and have been featured on MSNBC, CBS Sunday Morning, HBO and ESPN. Jesse is an in-demand speaker and bestselling author of two books, Find Your Yellow Tux and his newest Fans First.Jesse joined host Robert Glazer on the Elevate Podcast to discuss how he and his wife built the Savannah Bananas from a bankrupt organization to a leading entertainment brand, and much more. Show Notes Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jesse Cole, founder of Fans First Entertainment and Savannah Bananas, discusses building the Bananas from bankruptcy to a top entertainment brand. They talk about the unique fan experience, creating a product customers can take advantage of, the exciting format of banana ball, testing new ideas, promotions like baby races, and the power of fun and belonging.