Unrivaled Sports, a youth sports properties and programming group, announced on May 7, 2025, the completion of a $120 million investment round led by Dick's Sporting Goods. This funding elevates Unrivaled's valuation to over $650 million and underscores the increasing professionalization of the youth sports industry.

The investment round also saw participation from Dynasty Equity, LionTree, Miller Sports & Entertainment, and The Chernin Group. Unrivaled Sports, founded in early 2024 by entrepreneurs Josh Harris and David Blitzer, manages a diverse portfolio of youth sports initiatives. These include the Cooperstown All Star Village, Ripken Experiences, We Are Camp, and Under the Lights Flag Football. Collectively, these properties host over 635,000 youth athletes and attract 1.7 million visitors annually.

Josh Harris, co-founder of Unrivaled Sports, emphasized the company's mission, stating, "Through Unrivaled Sports, we're not just investing in sports; we're investing in future generations by making sports more inclusive and accessible in communities across the nation."

The substantial investment by Dick's Sporting Goods, a leading sporting goods retailer in the United States, highlights the growing corporate interest in the youth sports sector. This trend reflects a shift from traditional recreational leagues to more organized and commercially viable youth sports enterprises.

In recent years, Unrivaled Sports has expanded its reach through strategic acquisitions. In January 2023, Harris and Blitzer completed a strategic investment in Ripken Baseball and Cooperstown All Star Village, bringing together two of the industry's leading youth sports brands. This merger increased the strength and reach of the organizations to include five baseball facilities across the United States.

Further expanding its portfolio, Unrivaled Sports acquired Diamond Nation, a premier baseball and softball facility in Flemington, New Jersey. Diamond Nation boasts five 90-foot diamonds, two youth fields, and a state-of-the-art indoor training facility. Annually, the location attracts more than 3,000 teams and approximately 45,000 participants.

The professionalization of youth sports has been a growing trend over the past decade. Major corporations are increasingly recognizing the value and potential of the youth sports sector, leading to significant financial commitments. This investment by Dick's Sporting Goods signifies a continued shift towards viewing youth sports as a viable and profitable industry.

As Unrivaled Sports continues to expand its portfolio and enhance its offerings, the company remains committed to providing high-quality experiences for young athletes. The recent investment will enable Unrivaled to further develop its facilities, programs, and partnerships, ensuring that youth sports remain accessible and impactful for communities nationwide.

The collaboration between Unrivaled Sports and Dick's Sporting Goods exemplifies the evolving landscape of youth sports, where strategic investments and partnerships are driving growth and innovation. As the sector continues to professionalize, stakeholders are poised to benefit from enhanced opportunities and experiences that support the development of young athletes across the country.