Intentional Sports
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2023
- HeadquartersChicago, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingServices
What Intentional Sports does
Intentional Sports is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 2020 by Andy McDermott and headquartered in Chicago's North Austin neighborhood, where it operates a 10-acre, 150,000-square-foot campus at 1841 N Laramie Ave that includes Chicago's largest indoor FIFA-regulation turf field (110x70 yards), professional-grade hardwood courts, an eSports Lab, a Performance Center, Speed Courts, Mini Pitches, a Hitting Hub, and multipurpose rooms. The organization officially launched in 2023 after redeveloping land that had been vacant for 45 years, and now serves more than 2,500 youth each week through more than 40 hours of low-cost and no-cost programming in soccer, basketball, baseball, esports, flag football, and volleyball, targeting children and families in underserved Chicago communities where cost is a documented barrier to sports participation.
The business model is a hybrid nonprofit: charitable, no-cost/low-cost youth programming is cross-subsidized by revenue-generating activities including individual and family memberships ($100-$200/yr), a $20/month Performance Center subscription, usage-based drop-ins ($8 minor, $15 adult), adult league play and regional tournaments, facility rentals for corporate/community/birthday events, and tax-deductible donations and corporate sponsorships. Programming is distributed through a self-serve registration stack (Sprocket Sports and ActiveNet) plus walk-in access, and is supported by a high-profile partner ecosystem including Jason Heyward (Board, JHBA on-site), Chicago Fire FC, Chicago Red Stars, Riot Games (I Play Games / Chicago Rivals esports tournaments), Wintrust, Gatorade, Capelli Sport, Beaverfit, Mastercard, and The Field Foundation.
Leadership is concentrated among former professional athletes and coaches — Andy McDermott (Founder & CEO; former pro soccer, ex-Phoenix Police tactical unit), Austin Carr (President), Estie Cardos (Senior Director of Programs), and program directors for soccer, basketball, football/strength & conditioning, and esports — overseen by a Board including Wintrust's Chief Impact Officer, a former CF Industries CEO, and former NFL players, and an Executive Advisory Board that includes the CEO of Riot Games, a McKinsey partner, and the Head Coach of the El Salvador National Soccer Team. Revenue is not publicly disclosed; total inflows are estimated in the low-to-mid single-digit millions, supported by a self-sustaining mix of earned revenue and contributed income.
Intentional Sports firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Intentional Sports
- Legal name
- Intentional Sports
- Website
- https://intentionalsports.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2023
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Intentional Sports industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Youth Sports & Community Recreation
- NAICS
- Fitness and Recreational Sports Centers (71394), Sports and Recreation Instruction (61162), Sports and Recreation Instruction (611620)
- SIC
- Services-Membership Sports & Recreation Clubs (7997), Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Local Amateur Clubs & Community Sports Organizations (MPAKACAE)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Youth & Scholastic Sports Organizations (K–12, AAU, Club Leagues) (MPAKACAF), Recreational & Intramural Sports Programs (MPAKACAG)
Keywords
Where Intentional Sports is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Chicago
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
Intentional Sports business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Infrastructure, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others
Revenue model
- Youth Sports Programming: Low-cost and no-cost youth sports programs (soccer, basketball, baseball, esports, flag football, volleyball) for children in the surrounding communities, primarily after-school hours 3-7pm
- Membership Fees: Annual and monthly membership packages providing access to facilities, priority registration, and discounts
- Drop-in Sports & Fitness: Pay-per-visit access to turf fields, courts, and Performance Center for open play and training
- Adult League Play & Tournaments: Revenue-generating programming involving adult league play, regional tournaments, and off-season training for professional and collegiate athletes
- Space Rental & Events: Facility rental for sports events, birthday parties, corporate events, community events, educational events, and special occasions
- Donations & Scholarships: Tax-exempt 501c3 nonprofit model relying on donations and corporate sponsorships to fund no-cost programming for underserved youth
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | Individual Annual Membership - $100/yr |
| Subscription | Annual | Family Annual Membership - $200/yr |
| Subscription | Monthly | Performance Center Membership - $20/mo |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Drop-in Sports & Fitness |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels5 records
Intentional Sports product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Intentional Sports operates a 10-acre, 150,000-square-foot nonprofit sports campus in Chicago's North Austin neighborhood, delivering youth sports academies and club teams in soccer, basketball, baseball, esports, flag football, and volleyball, alongside adult leagues, performance training, open-play drop-ins, birthday/event hosting, and facility rentals. The portfolio is delivered through annual and monthly memberships, individual program fees, and grants/donations for no-cost spots for underserved youth, with flagship physical assets including the largest indoor FIFA-regulation turf field in Chicago, professional hardwood courts, an eSports Lab, and a Performance Center.
Product overview
Intentional Sports operates a 10-acre, 150,000 square foot nonprofit sports campus in Chicago's North Austin neighborhood, offering a unified platform of youth sports programming and facility services. The organization provides youth activities across multiple sports (soccer, basketball, baseball, esports, flag football, volleyball) through structured academies, club teams, and after-school programs, complemented by facility rentals and membership packages for individuals and families. The portfolio includes the flagship Fieldhouse (featuring the largest indoor FIFA regulation turf field), professional-grade gyms, an eSports Lab, Performance Center, and various multipurpose spaces. Revenue-generating elements (adult leagues, facility rentals, memberships) cross-subsidize no-cost and low-cost youth programming for underserved communities.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Intentional Soccer Programs After-school soccer academy and Intentional Soccer Club offering high-quality soccer programming for youth athletes of all ages and skill levels, with partnerships with Chicago Fire FC and Chicago Red Stars.
- Basketball Programs After-school basketball academies, travel teams, and individual programs teaching teamwork, perseverance, and discipline to youth players.
- Jason Heyward Baseball Academy (JHBA) Baseball academy with grassroots programming and JHBA Club Team (Honor Roll Baseball) offering technical instruction, camps, and clinics for travel players.
- Esports Programs Youth esports academies teaching game development with Unreal Engine 5, Roblox, and Minecraft, plus competitive gaming training in Super Smash Bros and other titles.
- Flag Football League Flag football league designed to keep young athletes active and enjoying football safely in a supportive environment.
- Volleyball Program Volleyball program focusing on fundamentals, confidence, and teamwork with intentional coaching for all skill levels.
- Drop-In Sports & Fitness Open play access to turf fields and courts at $8 for minors and $15 for adults, including Performance Center access for ages 14+.
- Individual Annual Membership $100/year membership offering priority registration, 20% off fitness classes, 50% off one private event, 5 monthly drop-ins, and free Morning Movers access.
- Family Annual Membership $200/year family membership for up to 7 members sharing the same address, providing access to all Intentional Sports facilities and programs.
- Performance Center Membership $20/month membership providing unlimited access to the performance training room and priority registration into all fitness classes for ages 14+.
- Birthday Party Packages Birthday celebration packages available in Basic, Deluxe, and Premium tiers with various add-on options for catering, entertainment, and coordination.
- Space Reservations / Facility Rentals Rental of various facility spaces including fieldhouse sections, gym courts, and multipurpose rooms for organizations and individuals.
- Adult League Play & Regional Tournaments Revenue-generating programming involving adult league play, regional tournaments, and off-season training for professional and collegiate athletes.
Quantifiable outcome
- Serves 2,500+ youth each week
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Intentional Sports
Customer profileNamed customers2 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Intentional Sports technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Intentional Sports partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Jason Heyward Baseball Academy (JHBA)coreFormer Chicago Cubs star Jason Heyward has partnered with Intentional Sports to host the Jason Heyward Baseball Academy on site. Youth of all ages can learn, train and have fun in baseball. Jason Heyward is on the Board of Directors and is a World Series Champion, philanthropist, and investor. JHBA Head of Player Development Andrew Ciampaglia oversees operations.
- Chicago Fire FCcoreChicago's Professional Soccer Club helped bring the largest indoor turf field to the city at Intentional Sports. Soccer partnerships enable unique events and opportunities for Intentional Soccer players.
- Chicago Red StarscorePartnership with Chicago Red Stars enables unique events and opportunities for youth soccer players at Intentional Sports.
- Riot GamescoreRiot Games, creator of League of Legends and organizer of the League of Legends Championship Series (one of the top pro esports leagues in the world), partnered with Intentional Sports to host esports tournaments including the I Play Games platform fighting tournament series (Chicago Rivals) in their Esports Lab.
- By The Hand Club for KidscoreCommunity partner organization with a vision to help children in under-resourced communities live fulfilling lives. Shares similar values and vision with Intentional Sports for youth development.
- GatorademinorSports beverage sponsor visible on facility signage and promotional materials.
- Beaverfit USAminorOutdoor fitness equipment partner providing training solutions.
- Camp Out for KidsminorCommunity partner organization focused on youth outdoor experiences.
- FortressminorSponsor partner with branding presence at facility.
- Capelli SportminorSports apparel and equipment sponsor.
- MastercardminorPayment technology sponsor enabling cashless transactions at facility.
- Grace and Peace ChurchminorCommunity partner located next to Intentional Sports facility, committed to serving the North Austin neighborhood and loving neighbors.
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves8 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Intentional Sports competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Life Time Fitness: National operator of large-format, multi-sport athletic clubs offering turf fields, basketball courts, performance training, youth academies, leagues, and tournaments under a membership + drop-in + rental model. Comparable in product mix (youth sports programming, adult leagues, performance training, facility rentals, tournaments) and revenue model, though commercially rather than mission-driven.
- Boys & Girls Clubs of America: National nonprofit operating youth development clubs offering sports, education, and wellness programming for underserved youth. Highly comparable in mission (equitable youth access), operating model (membership-based community facilities), and funding structure (501(c)(3) with donor and corporate sponsorship support), though far broader in scope and reach than Intentional Sports.
- YMCA of the USA: Largest U.S. nonprofit community recreation organization operating membership-based sports and fitness facilities, youth programming, and community wellness services. Comparable as a membership-club model ($100-$200 annual family memberships, drop-in fees, programming subscriptions) with a youth-development and equitable-access mission similar to Intentional Sports.
Others
- Positive Coaching Alliance: Nonprofit focused on developing youth through sports-based positive coaching and character development. Comparable in adopting Sports-Based Youth Development (SBYD) as a programming philosophy—explicitly cited by Intentional Sports as its approach—and in serving youth coaches and athletes nationally.
- KIPP Chicago Schools: Charter school network operating in Chicago's underserved neighborhoods, sharing the equitable-access mission for North Austin youth and overlapping community population. Tangentially comparable as a nonprofit serving the same demographic via community-based programming, though focused on education rather than sports.
Regional players
- Chicago Park District: Public-sector operator of recreation facilities, sports fields, and youth programming throughout Chicago. Comparable as a Chicago-specific provider of youth sports and recreational programming in underserved neighborhoods (including North Austin), though funded publicly rather than via the donation/cross-subsidy model Intentional Sports uses.
Direct peers
- By The Hand Club for Kids: Chicago-based nonprofit serving under-resourced communities with youth academic, social, and enrichment programming, named as a core community partner of Intentional Sports. Closely comparable as a mission-aligned Chicago nonprofit addressing the same underserved-youth population through holistic development programming.
- Sports Facilities Companies (SFC): Operator and advisor for community sports complexes, tournaments, and youth programming across the U.S. Directly comparable in the business of running multi-sport indoor/outdoor campuses with leagues, tournaments, youth academies, and rental operations—though SFC operates commercial venues whereas Intentional Sports applies this format to a nonprofit mission.
- Police Athletic League (PAL): Nonprofit youth development organization providing sports, education, and recreational programming in underserved urban communities. Directly comparable in mission (reducing cost barriers for at-risk youth through sports), facility-based programming model, and urban-community focus; notably, Intentional Sports' founder Andy McDermott also has a law-enforcement background.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Intentional Sports social profiles
Digital presenceIntentional Sports financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Intentional Sports leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles42 records
Intentional Sports funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Intentional Sports M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Intentional Sports
What does Intentional Sports do?
Intentional Sports operates a 10-acre, 150,000-square-foot nonprofit sports campus in Chicago's North Austin neighborhood, delivering youth sports academies and club teams in soccer, basketball, baseball, esports, flag football, and volleyball, alongside adult leagues, performance training, open-play drop-ins, birthday/event hosting, and facility rentals. The portfolio is delivered through annual and monthly memberships, individual program fees, and grants/donations for no-cost spots for underserved youth, with flagship physical assets including the largest indoor FIFA-regulation turf field in Chicago, professional hardwood courts, an eSports Lab, and a Performance Center.
Is Intentional Sports a public or private company?
Intentional Sports is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Intentional Sports founded?
Intentional Sports was founded in 2023. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Intentional Sports based?
Intentional Sports is headquartered in Chicago, United States, in the North America region.
How does Intentional Sports make money?
Six revenue lines are on record. Youth Sports Programming is the primary driver. The others are membership Fees, drop-in Sports & Fitness, adult League Play & Tournaments, space Rental & Events and donations & Scholarships.
Who are Intentional Sports's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Life Time Fitness, Boys & Girls Clubs of America and YMCA of the USA. Others are Positive Coaching Alliance and KIPP Chicago Schools. Chicago Park District is listed as a regional player. Direct peers are By The Hand Club for Kids, Sports Facilities Companies (SFC) and Police Athletic League (PAL).
Does Intentional Sports have an API?
No public API is recorded for Intentional Sports.
What industry is Intentional Sports in?
Intentional Sports's product category is Youth Sports & Community Recreation. Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPAKACAE, Local Amateur Clubs & Community Sports Organizations, with a secondary code of MPAKACAF, Youth & Scholastic Sports Organizations (K–12, AAU, Club Leagues). Its NAICS code is 71394 and its SIC code is 7997.