Bo Jackson's Elite Sports

What Bo Jackson's Elite Sports does

Bo Jackson's Elite Sports is a privately held, multi-sport indoor training facility operator founded by Bo Jackson in 2008 and headquartered in Lockport, Illinois, with its primary 114,000-square-foot air-supported dome located in Hilliard, Ohio (Columbus metro). The Columbus facility, which opened in January 2017, is the company's principal revenue engine and houses a full MLB infield, 8 batting cages, 3 pitching tunnels, a collegiate-style weight room, an 80-yard track, and The Gauntlet, a proprietary 42-foot climbing tower. Programming spans baseball (Cangelosi Baseball, private lessons, winter and fall leagues, college development camps), softball, football (including Flight 17 QB Training), soccer, lacrosse, sports performance (B.S.F. Performance), corporate team building (SLCA, Battle of the Businesses), birthday parties, and facility rentals. The company is co-founded by Jim Thompson (President) and Dev Pathik (Co-Founder, founder of Sports Facilities Advisory), with ownership retained by Bo Jackson.

The business operates on a diversified, primarily recurring revenue model anchored by tiered Elite and Elite Plus memberships ($125-385/month), semi-private B.S.F. performance memberships ($250-400/month), per-session private lessons ($55-115), seasonal camps ($125-450), facility rentals ($50-255/hr), and birthday party packages ($450+). GTM is community-led and event-driven, leveraging the Bo Jackson brand, partnerships with Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center (on-site sports medicine), Nike, Gatorade, Pepsi, Rogue, and the Columbus Destroyers, plus college coach-led recruiting camps. Distribution is omnichannel: physical facility access, EZ Facility self-serve online registration, and a Spirit Wear Store.

A wholly bootstrapped, founder-owned business with no disclosed institutional investors beyond a single $1.6M raise in October 2018, Bo Jackson's Elite Sports operates as a lifestyle/sports property monetized through a platform-plus-modules architecture. The company is not VC-backed, has not filed for IPO, and is structured as a small private operator with 11-50 employees serving youth athletes, families, and corporate clients across central Ohio and northern Illinois.

Name

Bo Jackson's Elite Sports

Legal name

Bo Jackson's Elite Sports

Website

https://bjescolumbus.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2008

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Bo Jackson's Elite Sports operates a 114,000 sq ft air-supported multi-sport training dome in Hilliard, Ohio, offering year-round baseball, softball, football, soccer, lacrosse, sports performance, and corporate team building programs to youth athletes, families, and enterprise clients.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Youth Sports Training Services

NAICS

Sports and Recreation Instruction (61162), Fitness and Recreational Sports Centers (713940)

SIC

Services-Membership Sports & Recreation Clubs (7997)

akta.pro primary industry

Training & Practice Facilities (Team Performance Centers) (MPAKAEAI)

akta.pro secondary industries

Arenas & Indoor Sports Centers (MPAKAEAB), Strength, Conditioning & Speed/Agility Training Facilities (MPAKAJAD), Youth & Scholastic Sports Organizations (K–12, AAU, Club Leagues) (MPAKACAF)

Keywords

• Youth sports training
• Indoor athletic facility
• Baseball instruction programs
• Sports performance training
• Corporate team building

Headquarters

HQ city

Lockport

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Revenue model

1. Membership Subscriptions: Monthly recurring memberships providing unlimited facility access. Elite Membership at $125-210/month and Elite Plus at $175-385/month for baseball-only enhanced benefits including player development programs.
2. Private Lessons: One-on-one instruction in baseball, softball, and quarterback training. Pricing varies by instructor level from $55-$75 per half-hour session, with package discounts available.
3. Field and Cage Rentals: Hourly rental of batting cages ($50/hr), pitching cages ($50/hr), fields ($255/hr), and track ($150/hr). Revenue from non-members renting facility space.
4. Birthday Parties and Events: Package-based party hosting including sports activities, food, and facility rental starting at $450 for up to 15 children.
5. Summer Camps and Programs: Seasonal camps including All-Sports Summer Camp ($225-$375), College Development Camp ($125-$395), Spring Training ($395), and Winter Leagues.
6. Corporate Team Building: SLCA leadership and team building programs for corporate groups, including Battle of the Businesses competitive events and Level 1-3 team programs.
7. BSF Sports Performance Memberships: Semi-private training memberships at $250-$400/month with assessment-based individualized programming for athletes ages 10+.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Bo Jackson's Elite Sports operates a 114,000 square foot air-supported indoor training dome offering year-round programming in baseball, softball, football, soccer, and lacrosse. The facility delivers private lessons, team-based leagues, summer camps, sports performance training, and The Gauntlet climbing tower programs to youth athletes, families, and corporate groups. On-site Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center sports medicine services and BSF Sports Performance memberships round out the integrated athlete development platform.

Product overview

Bo Jackson's Elite Sports is a multi-sport indoor training facility operating under a platform-plus-modules architecture. The core platform is the 114,000-square-foot air-supported dome offering year-round access to fields, cages, and performance space, from which distinct programming modules extend. The primary branded programs include Cangelosi Baseball (private lessons, seasonal leagues, fall teams, and college development camps), B.S.F. Sports Performance (semi-private strength training and pitching performance), The Gauntlet (42-foot climbing tower and team building), Flight 17 QB Training (quarterback coaching), and Ohio State Wexner Medical Center Sports Medicine (on-site injury care and Bridge 2 Performance). Additional modules cover softball, lacrosse, soccer, Bo Jackson Football, All-Sports Summer Camp, Membership Programs, Field Rentals, and Birthday Parties. The facility also hosts the Sports Leadership Centers of America (SLCA) for corporate and youth leadership development.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• B.S.F. Sports Performance: Sports performance and strength training program for athletes ages 10-18+
• Sports Leadership Centers of America (SLCA)
• Cangelosi Baseball
• Bo Jackson Elite Baseball
• Columbus Cheetahs
• The Gauntlet
• Flight 17 QB Training

Products and services

• Cangelosi Baseball Year-round baseball training program featuring private lessons, seasonal leagues, and team-based development for youth through high school players, run within the Bo Jackson's Elite Sports dome.
• Bo Jackson Softball Year-round softball training and development program for youth athletes and travel teams, including the Blast Softball Travel Teams overseen by the Softball Director.
• Bo Jackson Football Year-round football development program including skill training and team-based play for youth athletes.
• Flight 17 QB Training Quarterback training program for ages 12-18+ led by former Penn State quarterback Daryll Clark, offering individual, semi-private, and group training sessions.
• Soccer Programs Soccer programs and leagues for youth athletes offered year-round within the facility.
• Big Fish Lacrosse Lacrosse training program for ages 12-18 offered through the facility's sports programming.
• B.S.F. Sports Performance Sports performance and strength training program for athletes ages 10-18+ emphasizing bigger, stronger, faster development through semi-private training with a 6:1 athlete-to-coach ratio.
• The Gauntlet 42-foot sports leadership climbing tower with competitive climbing elements including inverted wall, speed climb, Leap of Faith, and auto belays for mental and physical athlete development.
• Sports Leadership Centers of America (SLCA) Leadership development and team building programs using transformational experiences across three levels: Team Bonding, Team Building, and Team Performance, offered to corporate and youth groups.
• Membership Programs Tiered facility memberships (Elite and Elite Plus) offering unlimited year-round batting cage access, field use, and discounts on programs, plus seasonal Pre-Season Facility Memberships.
• Field and Cage Rentals Hourly rental options including Major League infield, batting cages, pitching tunnels, softball/multipurpose fields, and an 80-yard track.
• Birthday Parties Customizable sports-themed birthday party packages including activities, food, and a party facilitator for ages 7 and up.
• All-Sports Summer Camp Multi-sport summer camp for ages 5-13 offering daily sports activities including football, soccer, wiffleball, basketball, and climbing.
• Summer College Development Camp High school baseball camp pairing instruction from Division I college coaches with player showcases for recruiting purposes.
• Private Baseball Lessons One-on-one and small-group baseball instruction with tiered instructors (Pro, House Plus, House) covering hitting, pitching, catching, infield, and outfield skills, priced at $55-$75 per half-hour session.
• Ohio State Wexner Medical Center Sports Medicine On-site sports medicine services including injury checks, pre-season screening, and the Bridge 2 Performance rehabilitation-to-performance transition program, staffed by Ohio State physicians, physical therapists, and athletic trainers.
• Bo Jackson Elite Baseball Travel Teams Invite-only competitive travel baseball teams across youth division, high school prep, and college prep tiers (7U-17U), including College Prep Teams offering college recruiter exposure.

Named customers5 records

Segments5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered core, minor and major.

• Columbus DestroyerscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 9 April 2019Official practice facility designation for the Columbus Destroyers XFL professional football team. BJES provides multi-purpose training fields, sports performance facilities, and Gauntlet climbing access for team training and community relations programs.
• Play It Again Sports - HilliardminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 April 2019Local sporting goods retailer partnership providing equipment guidance and roadmap for first-time equipment purchases for athletes and families.
• Grandads PizzaminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 March 2019Official pizza partner for birthday parties, team building events, and post-game gatherings. Local brand providing food service for facility events.
• Ohio State University Wexner Medical CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOn-site sports medicine clinic providing injury prevention, physical therapy, pre-season screening, and Bridge 2 Performance rehabilitation-to-training programs. Ohio State physicians, physical therapists, and athletic trainers present during facility operating hours.
• NikemajorGTM or Marketing PartnerOfficial brand partner providing apparel and equipment with renewed partnership for 2024 fall baseball programs. Brand association enhances credibility with youth athletes and families.
• GatorademajorGTM or Marketing PartnerOfficial hydration and nutrition partner integrated into training programs. Provides sports science innovation and nutritional guidance for athletes.
• PepsimajorGTM or Marketing PartnerOfficial beverage partner for the facility with presence at events and programming.
• RoguecoreTechnology or IntegrationOfficial strength and conditioning equipment supplier providing American-made fitness equipment for the weight room and sports performance training areas.
• Top It Off Hat Co.minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorOfficial hat provider offering New Era baseball caps including MLB team caps through the Spirit Wear Store.
• Give Me A Chance FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner501(c)(3) foundation dedicated to inspiring disadvantaged minority youth through baseball training at elite levels while emphasizing education and character development.
• Big Fish LacrosseminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorYouth lacrosse program (ages 12-18) operating at BJES facility providing specialized lacrosse training and development.
• Flight 17 QB TrainingminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSpecialized quarterback training program powered by Bo Jackson's Elite Sports, founded by former Penn State quarterback Daryll Clark. Provides individual and group training for ages 12-18+.
• Hilliard School DistrictcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEducational partnership developing curriculum for student athletes exploring sports career paths, along with facility usage for school programs.
• Sports Facilities Advisory (SFA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFounded by Dev Pathik, SFA is a global leader in strategy, program planning, and project finance for sports facilities. Key strategic investor and advisor in Bo Jackson's Elite Sports.
• Sports Facilities Management (SFM)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerManagement solutions provider for sports and recreation venues nationwide. Associated with Dev Pathik and provides operational expertise.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• D-BAT Sports: National indoor baseball and softball training franchise offering lessons, camps, memberships, and cage rentals. Highly comparable business model to BJES Cangelosi Baseball and BSF Performance modules.
• Extra Innings: Indoor baseball and softball training center franchise with hitting leagues, lessons, and team training. Closest comparable in revenue model and target customer (youth baseball families).
• 5 Tool Baseball: Baseball training, showcases, and college exposure events—directly overlapping with BJES College Development Camp and Bo Jackson Elite Baseball college prep tier.
• Iron Peak Sports & Events Center: Large-format, multi-sport indoor training and event complex similar in footprint and sport mix (baseball, softball, football, lacrosse, soccer) with year-round programming.
• Paragon Sports Performance / The Rock Sports: Multi-sport indoor performance and youth training complexes offering similar mix of lessons, leagues, performance training, and facility rentals.

Broad incumbents

• IMG Academy: Multi-sport elite performance training institution with on-site sports medicine, college placement, and boarding. Scaled incumbent operating BJES's aspirational arc across multiple sports.
• EXOS (formerly Athletes' Performance): National sports performance and wellness operator with embedded collegiate trainers. Overlaps with BJES BSF Sports Performance and OSU Wexner-led training module.
• Topgolf: Large-format sports-entertainment venue combining recreation, instruction, and F&B. Comparable as a multi-revenue large-footprint sports facility competing for family leisure dollars.
• Velocity Sports Performance: National network of athlete training centers focused on speed, strength, and sport-specific conditioning. Directly comparable to BJES BSF and Sports Performance offerings.

Emerging players

• The Hit Lab: Premium batting and pitching instruction brand with online/satellite training and physical locations. Overlaps with BJES private lessons and Cangelosi Baseball instruction.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Subsidiaries5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Bo Jackson's Elite Sports