Two platforms centered on youth sports content, Pure Athlete and Perfect Game, are joining forces in an intriguing collaboration. Pure Athlete, a branded content platform and podcast, is hosted by founders Jeff Francoeur, Britt Lee, and Brad Williams. Perfect Game, recognized as the world’s largest elite youth baseball and softball platform and scouting service, also features a significant media aspect through its free PerfectGame.tv website and PGTV app. As part of their new deal, Perfect Game will air the Pure Athlete podcast.
The podcast has released 80 episodes to date, showcasing an impressive roster of guests such as Chipper Jones, Bobby Witt Jr., Mallory Pugh Swanson, Ryan Howard, Dan Orlovsky, Jennie Finch-Daigle, and many others. It also features discussions among the founders on important youth sports topics, including concussions, winning and losing, travel teams, and more. With this agreement, the Pure Athlete podcast will gain greater exposure, airing on Perfect Game’s website and app every Thursday at 6 p.m. ET, starting today. As noted in a recent release, this collaboration makes sense for both parties:
“Expanding our reach through Perfect Game’s platform aligns with our mission to equip young athletes and their families with the tools they need to succeed both on and off the field,” said Jeff Francoeur, MLB broadcaster, former player, and host of the Pure Athlete podcast. “Our content encourages a positive youth sports experience for the next generation of athletes as they compete, and we’re excited to connect with new viewers through this initiative.”
“Perfect Game, recognized as the preeminent organization in youth baseball and softball, and a leader in player development and tournaments, will add Pure Athlete to its array of entertaining and helpful content delivered on Perfect Game TV. In 2024, nearly 37 million video plays were registered across PerfectGame.TV’s platforms, underscoring its status as a go-to source for baseball enthusiasts. Additionally, 13 million unique users engaged with PGTV content in 2024 via its website, app, and .org platforms – a remarkable 76% increase from 2023, adding 5 million new viewers,” stated Perfect Game CEO Rob Ponger.
“PGTV continues to grow and is committed to bringing viewers the best in amateur baseball, whether with live event coverage or educating our athletes and their families with the tools they need to navigate their journeys in the best way possible. By sharing Pure Athlete’s content, we’re proud to offer even more valuable resources to the youth sports community,” he added.
This partnership seems like a natural fit for both sides. Although Pure Athlete’s content spans a broader youth sports focus, it prominently features baseball and softball, reflecting Francoeur’s MLB background and ongoing broadcasting efforts for TNT Sports and the Atlanta Braves. The show’s guests often come from the baseball and softball domains as well. Thus, this additional distribution through Perfect Game is likely to help the podcast reach new young athletes and their families who have yet to discover it.
Meanwhile, Perfect Game is diligently focused on young baseball and softball athletes through their events and showcases, with their media operation centered on telling these athletes’ stories. This includes covering elite athletes, such as insights during the MLB Draft, as well as an emphasis on youth baseball and softball events overall. Perfect Game has previously partnered with other podcasts, including The Step Up Podcast hosted by prominent youth baseball coach Nelson “Coach Nelly” Gonzalez. This aligns with their ongoing content strategy and provides access to a widely recognized podcast, connecting them with influential figures in youth sports like Francoeur, Lee, and Williams while enriching the resources available to young athletes.
