(Clearwater, FL) September 16, 2020 – Sports Facilities (SF) Companies, the youth and amateur sports industry leader in venue management, development, and planning has announced the addition of industry leader, Jim Arnold, to the leadership team of the SF Companies.
Mr. Arnold launched Ripken Design, Sports Force Parks and has been working in the planning, development and operations of the nation’s leading youth sports tournament destinations. Jim Arnold joins as National Business Development Director, a position that will lead client engagement across the U.S.
“For over a decade we have worked collaboratively with Jim on a number of projects,” said Jason Clement, CEO and Co-Founder of the SF Companies. “Jim shares our vision for the SFM Network as a solution for facility owners seeking the best in financial performance and maximum community impact.” He is a proven facility development leader, innovator, and collaborator in service to our industry.”
The SF Companies lead the youth and amateur sports industry in sports destination operations, development, and planning. Since 2003, the firms have assisted more than 2,000 communities across the United States as well as international projects in South America, the Caribbean, Asia and the Middle East. The SF Companies currently are engaged as the outsourced operator in more than 20 facilities across the U.S. as represented by the SFM Network which hosts 25+ million visitors each year.
“Spending the past 16+ years developing and operating sports complexes around the world has provided me with some amazing friends and memories; but most importantly with a true understanding of the value that sports provide,” said Arnold of his move to the SF Companies. “As an industry, now more than ever, communities need economic solutions that improve quality of life and outcomes for their kids. The SF Companies are the dominant leader in the market because of the SFM Network, the corporate infrastructure, and the solutions offered for funding and development needs. This provides me with the ability to provide immeasurable impact for our community partners and the 45 million athletes and families who participate in youth sports across our country.”
Prior to joining SF Companies, Arnold led the development of several industry-leading sports tourism properties in the U.S., including the Cal Ripken Experiences (Aberdeen, MD, Myrtle Beach, SC and Pigeon Forge, TN), Sports Force Parks at Cedar Point Sports Center (Sandusky, OH), Sports Force Parks on the Mississippi (Vicksburg, MS) and most recently, Paradise Coast Sports Complex (Naples, FL).
In his role, Arnold will serve as a liaison between new clients, developments, and the SF Companies shepherding projects into the SFM Network and providing development and funding solutions to projects. Arnold joins SFC’s team of 900 facility operators, staff, market researchers, development advisors, and subject-matter experts. The SFM Network is the largest and fastest growing network of sports tourism destinations and community recreation complexes in the Nation. The SFM Network and its affiliated properties and event companies, such as Halo LAX, welcome more than 25 million guest visits and produce more than $200 million economic impact annually.
“Our team is focused on bringing play back safely and implementing funding and development solutions to allow our clients to achieve the economic and social benefits that come out of participation in sports,” said Dev Pathik, Founder of SF Companies. “Jim shares our heart for service and he has created solutions that have proven to be transformational to the communities he has served.”
To learn more about the Sports Facilities Companies including Sports Facilities Advisory (SFA), Sports Facilities Development (SFD), and Sports Facilities Management (SFM), visit sportadvisory.com or sfmnetwork.com.