This Week’s Playbook. New year, fresh start. Before diving back in to league play and busy schedules it’s a great time for a quick gut check. What worked last year? What have you learned about sports parenting? How can you ensure it’s a great sports season for your family? We're kicking off 2026 with some practical tips for staying sane on the sidelines, a stat about girls in sports that might stop you mid-scroll, and an inspirational Heisman Trophy speech from winner Fernando Mendoza. Here's to a calmer, more fun, more intentional year of youth sports. (Or at least fewer moments of white-knuckling that folding chair.)

“The car ride home. It feels like a teachable opportunity, with fresh memories and valuable lessons right there. But for kids, that moment is the worst time to talk. Their emotional tank is empty. They’ve given everything they have, and what they need most isn’t feedback. It’s recovery.”

—Ian Goldberg, CEO of Signature Media | Read More →

Here's a thing nobody warns you about: watching your kid play sports can spike your heart rate more than your own workout. Suddenly you're white-knuckling a folding chair, stress-eating trail mix, and having feelings about a ref who's just trying his best. Sideline stress is real, and it sneaks up on even the chillest parents. The good news? There are actual, practical things you can do to calm down before you spiral over a U10 soccer game. Unclench your jaw and read on.

—Ian Goldberg

Or find other tips for sideline parents here:

Here's a number worth sitting with: 94% of women in executive leadership positions played sports at some point in their lives. Not a slim majority. Ninety-four percent. Turns out, all those early morning practices, tough losses, and "get back up and try again" moments aren't just building athletes. They're building future CEOs, founders, and leaders across every industry. We dug into the research on what sports actually teach girls (spoiler: it's way more than teamwork) and why the drop-off rate for teen girls is a bigger problem than most people realize. Grab your coffee and read on.

—Maddie Soviero

Or add some other tools to your athlete’s toolbox:

Ian Goldberg, Editor-in-Chief

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