Aug. '25 Newsletter
San Diego: Great Sports Town!
Hey readers, remember back when the “Changlings” left town, claiming we were just too small for their greatness? Check this out: August update: Your San Diego Padres tied with the big (gest) payrollers in Baseball, the (beat) LA Dodgers! What? Yes, playoff bound…as Casey Stengel used to say…”write that down!”
San Diego FC…where do we begin…locked in a playoff berth already…on top of a start-from- scratch new franchise, the most successful start of a year 1 club in MLS history… oh, and a new campus, amazing ownership, world class coaching and talent… hats off to the Tom Penn lead organization, amazing!
San Diego Wave….also in the running for a playoff berth in---did you know---the number 1 womens’ soccer league in the world… world as in all the world! If you have not yet seen a game, seen the talent, seen the amazing support, seen the inspired young female athletes aspiring to be like Alex…you gotta go.
There’s more coming, Gulls and Seals are in preparation, as are the San Diego Mojo, Strike Force, Clippers, Sharks, Sockers. There have never been more pro teams or more successful Pro teams here ever. And bear in mind, all these teams are home bred and have deep connections into our greater community. From the Padres Military Sunday to the Military Pro Sport Alliance, the teams are out there representing San Diego as a really great sports town!
Remember, San Diego is more than a place: it's a concept, where sunshine and healthy, active, living set the pace!
SDSI September Happy Hour – Celebrates SD Pro Sprots Teams!
Join SDSI for next quarterly happy hour on Sep. 16, at the amazing C3 Bank, and this time in celebration of San Diego Pro Sports! Reconnect with other members or come learn what SDSI is all about - while mingling with leaders from many of SD’s own sports teams! Not yet an SDSI member? No problem. If you’re a brand leader, industry executive, investor, entrepreneur or creator looking for a meaningful Sports and Active Lifestyle business community, our Happy Hours are a great place to begin getting to know SDSI! Learn more and RSVP here!
SDSI Fuels the Next Generation of Sports and Lifestyle Brands – Feature in SDBJ
SDSI supports the city’s $6.3 billion sports and lifestyle industry with mentorship, community, partnership building, and more. The Walton Innovation Lab for companies ready to scale, and Walton’s Path for professional athletes transitioning into business, are just a few ways SDSI keeps innovation, community, and growth at the center of San Diego’s active and lifestyle economy. Read the article in the San Diego Business Journal here!
Welcome New Members:
One44 Group is a local agency that sells and activates corporate partnerships that give brands unique ways to reach target audiences. Founded by Josh Gross, a former broadcaster and 21-year veteran of the professional sports industry, One44 currently represents local properties including Belmont Park and the San Diego Mojo, among others. Navigating the world of sponsorships can be daunting. Josh is a long time SDSI member and can help take the guess work out of it. For more information, visit One44Group.com or email Josh at Josh@One44Group.com.
Breg
Matt Simons is a North County OG, active in our Sport and Active Lifestyle space for many years, and now CFO of Breg, a local business that has been advancing orthopedic care since 1989 with premium, high-value sports medicine products and services. From pioneering cold therapy to innovative bracing and award-winning orthopedic practice solutions, Breg is leading in motorized cold therapy, re-defining comfort and performance in orthopedic recovery. Learn more at breg.com
Aldrich CPAs + Advisors is a top tier regional CPA firm who has been part of the San Diego community for more than 60 years serving business and individual clients in the sport and active lifestyle communities. Josh Vannetti, longtime friend and member to SDSI, has brought his valuation expertise to Aldrich alongside the tax compliance, tax planning, attest (audit, review, compilation) services, bookkeeping and other financial services the Aldrich team provide. Learn more at aldrichadvisors.com.
AVOS Therapy, founded by professional skateboarder Shawn Hale, transforms recovery with its innovative therapy sandals. Initially made to make the chore of regular physical therapy easy for him, it's clear that Shawn's invention has benefits well beyond his original intended use! Their patented slides achieve an effective stretch of the soles of your feet, while remaining mobile. Making it extremely easy to practice proactive physical therapy consistently. Learn more at avostherapy.com.