Sports Marketing Machine Podcast

Mike Van Hise, a minor-league sports veteran and founder of Game Day Advising, shares insights on operational efficiency strategies for teams. He emphasizes the importance of clarity over cuts, diagnosing revenue leakages, and optimizing staffing. Van Hise discusses simplifying concessions for speed, enhancing ticketing strategies to weather-proof budgets, and adopting a '3% better' rule for continuous improvement. With practical tips on engaging fans and maximizing profit, his expert advice is a must for anyone in sports marketing and operations.

Discover how to build a marketing budget with a focus on single game ROI. Learn to project future budgets using last year’s data and track your performance like an investor. Explore the 70-30 rule for budget allocation that balances ticket acquisition and awareness. Jeremy highlights simple strategies to justify your budget requests and improve efficiency with small, measurable gains. It's all about making your marketing budget bulletproof in just one conversation!

Discover the delicate balance between season ticket stability and the growth potential of single-game buyers. Learn how targeted post-game offers can turn casual fans into multi-game attendees. Explore the importance of perk-led nurturing to create a fear of missing out. Understand why aligning marketing and sales efforts is crucial for converting warm leads during the season. Jeremy shares a comprehensive ticket plan ladder that can help teams maximize their fanbase and drive repeat visits.

Send us a textAll You Can Eat ticket plans sound like a fan’s dream—one ticket, unlimited food—but are they really a win for your team? In this episode of The Sports Marketing Machine, Jeremy Neisser breaks down the pros and cons of these packages, from predictable revenue and marketing appeal to margin risks and operational headaches. You’ll learn how to structure these plans strategically so they elevate the fan experience while still protecting your bottom line.Key Topics CoveredWhy fans love the simplicity and value of All You Can Eat plansHow bundling food into tickets creates predictable, upfront revenueThe operational efficiencies (and pitfalls) of prepaid concessionsMargin risks and how heavy eaters can wipe out profitsMenu design, alcohol clarity, and the importance of perceived valueStructuring plans using per caps, pricing buffers, and sponsorship offsetsPositioning All You Can Eat as an entry-level ticket plan without cannibalizing premium optionsLong-term strategy: renewals, upsells, and loyalty buildingChapters00:00 – Introduction to All You Can Eat Ticket Plans01:00 – Pros of All You Can Eat Packages05:38 – Cons and Risks of All You Can Eat Packages08:53 – Structuring All You Can Eat Plans Smartly12:14 – Long-Term Strategy for All You Can Eat Packages16:02 – Key Takeaways and ConclusionSound Bites / Social Teasers“One ticket, unlimited food.”“It elevates the experience.”“Define the package clearly—or risk an all you can lose plan.”Call to Action Tried an All You Can Eat ticket plan before? Jeremy wants to hear how it worked for your team—DM him or reach out through Sports Marketing Machine. If this episode gave you some food for thought (pun intended), share it with a colleague and leave a review on Apple or Spotify so more sports pros can sell smarter and build their fan base.Links mentioned: David Salyers - Chick-Fil-A "Creating A Value-Inbalance"Loss Leaders - Episode 117Episode page - Episode 133Sports Marketing Machine on LinkedInSports Marketing Machine on InstagramBook a call with Jeremy from Sports Marketing Machine

Send us a textMore traffic doesn’t always mean more profit. In this episode, Jeremy Neisser unpacks a real case study from a minor league baseball team that saw website visitors surge from 27,000 to 35,000—but lost $15,000 in profit along the way. He explains why chasing vanity metrics like clicks, impressions, and raw attendance can mask deeper problems in profitability. From understanding diminishing returns to prioritizing average order value (AOV) and smarter budget allocation, Jeremy gives sports teams a playbook for turning data into dollars.Key Topics CoveredWhy more traffic can actually hurt your bottom lineCase study: 35,000 visitors that led to declining ROASThe difference between quality vs. quantity trafficDiminishing returns: when extra spend stops paying offThe role of average order value (AOV) in real growthHow to use the 60-40 rule for smarter budget allocationAvoiding the vanity metric trap (traffic, impressions, and “sellouts”)Why profitability > popularity in sports marketingChapters00:00 – Understanding Marketing Data for Minor League Baseball01:29 – The Impact of Traffic on Profitability04:43 – Quality vs. Quantity in Traffic09:26 – Diminishing Returns and the 60-40 Rule12:21 – The Importance of Average Order Value16:37 – Key Takeaways and Action PlanCall to Action Before you chase big traffic numbers, dig into your AOV and ROAS data. If you need help unpacking what actually happened with your team’s marketing this season, reach out to Jeremy for a free 30-minute breakdown.Episode Page: Episode 132 Sports Marketing Machine on LinkedInSports Marketing Machine on InstagramBook a call with Jeremy from Sports Marketing Machine

Explore the pitfalls of Meta's Advantage Plus, where automation can lead to wasted budgets for sports teams. Discover how its generic audience targeting undermines ticket sales by focusing on clicks rather than conversions. Learn the importance of manual ad setup and audience segmentation for better understanding of fans. Gain insights on when Advantage Plus can be effective, especially for merchandise sales, and why a hands-on approach is crucial for successful marketing.

Discover how Nano Banana, Google's new AI image-generation tool, can supercharge sports marketing. Learn to create stunning visuals in minutes for merchandise mock-ups and pre-order campaigns. Explore strategies to boost ticket sales and design personalized fan content effortlessly. Uncover ways to turn uncertain sponsorships into definitive deals with eye-catching mock-ups. With quick-win techniques and a simple three-step testing approach, this tech could give early adopters a competitive edge in the market!

Adam Winslow, Chief Marketing Officer for the Florida Everblades, shares how data-driven marketing strategies led to a remarkable 27% increase in game attendance. He discusses navigating the challenges posed by COVID-19 and emphasizes the importance of technology and personalization in engaging fans. Winslow reveals how small marketing experiments can lead to significant gains and the shift in marketing’s role from a support function to a revenue generator. He also highlights continuous investment in fan experiences and staying adaptable to tech changes.

Meta has recently changed the ad landscape, making it crucial for marketers to adapt. Discover how weaker targeting affects ticket sales and learn to harness custom audiences instead. The podcast highlights the importance of creativity over targeting and explores new ad placements on Threads and WhatsApp. Gain insights into Meta's shift towards AI-driven marketing and the 'fishbone effect' for testing ads. Finally, find out tactical tips to optimize your marketing funnel and boost conversions!

Discover how a viral moment between pop star Taylor Swift and NFL stars fuels sports marketing insights. Learn the art of cross-audience partnerships to expand your reach. Harness the human side of players to forge deeper connections with fans. Get inspired by quirky activation ideas like player-chef cook-offs and bundles that boost ticket sales. Uncover how to create buzz-worthy experiences that fans can't resist sharing. These strategies will elevate your team's marketing game and engage your local community!