He turned a broke team into a billion dollars

In this episode, the hosts are inspired by the entrepreneurial journey of Jesse Cole, the founder of the Savannah Bananas, a baseball team known for its unique and entertaining approach to America's pastime. They express admiration for Cole's innovations and the way he has transformed the game and fan engagement. The Savannah Bananas now boast an astounding 3 million person waiting list for tickets, due to their engaging marketing and fan-first approach.

The hosts recount Cole's background, beginning as a frustrated minor league player who found watching baseball boring while sitting on the bench. He became a general manager of a struggling summer college team and turned it around through innovation and creativity. From there, he and his wife launched the Savannah Bananas, starting off with significant challenges, including nearly running out of money at the beginning.

They emphasize the importance of the team's unique name, 'Savannah Bananas', which came from a naming contest and led to quirky branding ideas, such as the 'Nanas' dance team. Cole noted the need to prioritize fun and engagement in everything they did, from ticket pricing to promotional events, all while keeping profitability in mind. The hosts analyze how rule changes in the game itself, including strategies to reduce downtime during matches, contributed to the Savannah Bananas' charm.

The discussion highlights the concept of being extraordinarily innovative and the power of customer-centric thinking. The hosts express a desire to get Cole on their podcast to explore more about his journey and ideation process. They conclude with a recap of the Savannah Bananas' current success, both financially and in terms of fan engagement, demonstrating a successful business model ripe for imitation by others in the industry.