Innovation

League Network was established as a start-up company in April of 2016 by Anne-Sophie Whitehead, as a media and assisted fundraising platform for the managers of youth sport leagues within the United States. There are 31 million children who play in leagues in any of the 21 largest team sports in the US. One of the issues that can arise within a league is appointing a manager with a lack of knowledge on how to properly run their organization. League Network’s co-Founder Jay Whitehead reports that “1,100 sports league managers have gone to jail for theft”, and embezzlement is only one of the problems a league can run into. A major emphasis is placed on using sustainable business practices, such as filing taxes on time and completing the mandatory paperwork. The managers need help navigating the best practices of raising enough funds for the leagues to function smoothly.

The mission of League Networks as stated by co-founder Jay Whitehead, “The mission of the business is to focus on the health, safety, and community integration features of youth sport leagues. With good management comes more benefits for the children playing.” League Network’s motto is “Better Leagues, Better Lives” because keeping kids active in their local sports leagues has shown to have many positive benefits for them as well as the whole community. League Network, also launched a new tool that allows leagues to fundraise against their goals. Successful fundraising allows leagues to provide scholarships to the families who may need assistance affording registration fees, new uniforms, or equipment.

The overall goal of League Network is to be recognized as a force for sustainable leagues.

Inspiration

Before starting up League Network, Anne-Sophie and Jay were involved with the online magazine, Corporate Responsibility Magazine, which focuses on and promotes corporate responsibility. The two have a strong focus on doing good within their business practices.

The idea to begin League Network stemmed from their motivation to create something that hasn’t been done before and to treat leagues as small businesses in need of support.

Founder Anne-Sophie stated her reason for beginning League Networks stemmed from her experience as a volunteer with youth sport leagues where much of her time was spent trying to fix things. Therefore, with her knowledge and background in business, she believed she could help run better leagues. Her background includes 14 years as Trustee and Board Member of New Jersey’s 5-sport Mountain Top League and 15 years as Chief Marketing Officer, co-founder, and director of B2B media and service firms. She stated, “If I didn’t use my professional experience to start League Network to help my fellow volunteers, it would just be lazy.”

Anne-Sophie enjoys seeing the good being done within communities and finds pride in knowing that kids in unfortunate situations can play and be happy, despite not having the money to otherwise participate. Her main motivation is seeing that she can make a difference by doing what she loves, which is volunteering. Co-founder Jay stated his motivation was “driven by the aspect that he was doing something no one else has done previously”. He found satisfaction in the idea that he would be able to organize a community that has historically been fragmented and disorganized.

Overall impact

In only the short six months League Network has been running, it has made an immense impact on communities throughout the United States. Although the business only currently holds a residence out of Newark, NJ, that has not impeded them from helping willing volunteers initiate and grow their own leagues in different states. The business has had such an impact that it is considering expanding to Canada. In addition, Anne-Sophie and Jay have made the impressive decision to expand and open their second office in an at-risk community, rather than the usual start-up hubs. By expanding with a satellite office in a low-cost community, League Network hopes to employ more staff, thus creating more jobs, in an area that offers fewer prospects.

The impact League Network can make on society is outstanding. Just within West Orange, New Jersey, there are 3,000 kids participating in six different sports. These kids come from all different cultures, religions, races, and communities within the town. A well-run league can create scholarships and low registration fees that won’t hinder a child’s ability to join. League Network’s Assisted Fundraising further allows children coming from low income households or even domestic abuse situations to have a greater sports experience. League Network promotes diversity, well-being, education, and combating poverty.

The short term effects include providing an outlet for children to get out and productively release energy and stress. Studies show that the long-term effects that have come out of local sports leagues include better education, healthier bodies, higher graduation rates and grades, and lower youth crime rate.

Business benefit

League Network is currently listed as a pending B-Corp. This title indicates that the business is taking into account social good for their customers and employees, as well as profits in their day to day decisions. Simply, it states that they are a “good company”. To further their commitment, they also elected to register as a Public Benefit Corporation; to qualify for and maintain this title, they are required to measure and disclose their social impact.

Social and environmental benefit

League Network’s social responsibility commitment resides in the community involvement. Playing on a sports team promotes inclusion where kids can support one another and build new friendships. Leagues can decide to combine kids who may attend separate schools, in order to break social divides that may exist. Having the common interest of sports, regardless of the children’s backgrounds, provides an easy way to connect children and parents who might otherwise never have a chance to meet. This is promoting peacefulness within communities. Youth Sports leagues are keeping kids healthy and helping battle high obesity rates within the U.S, but League Network’s advice also encompasses taking a stand against bullying and hazing, proper nutrition tips, and safety baselines.

Interview

Anne-Sophie and Jay Whitehead, Founder & Co-Founder