Why we’re here- Kelley Koski
How did we get here? I am sure everyone is thinking this in 2020, this wild journey into the depths of the unknown. I've thrived off the excitement of constant change for most of my life. I chased my childhood dreams and became a professional dancer. A career that many people dabble in, but only 3% become professionals.
Ever since my dad would hold me in his arms dancing and singing in the living room I loved dance. The infectious joy of movement became my soul's beating existence. I wanted to dance every minute of life. I competed in three dance companies, 30 hours a week, weekend workshops, traveled overseas, and performed every chance I got.
I moved to Los Angeles at the age of 18 and let my passion to make others laugh and smile lead my journey to move the world. I was in commercials that aired all over the world, music videos with famous rappers, danced on stage on TV and performed at mansions in the hills for Hollywood's elite. I’ve been a mermaid at multi-million dollar bat mitzvahs and served tea to an astronaut, spun fire at weddings, I even popped out of a cake for Steven Spielberg's dad.
Of course entertainment isn't as glamorous as it seems. I got stiffed on money, fired for being too skinny and once sexually harassed by a clown on TV. I couldn’t say “No” if I didn’t want to wear a costume that I thought was too revealing or performing handsprings on concrete. Weeks of rehearsals, long hours of shooting and in the end left with no footage - which is needed as a resume for your next job.
At the end I was OVER. IT. Wearing a bedazzled cheap cowboy hat in a costume two sizes too big with red lipstick smeared on my teeth, trying to make rent that month, I heard Dan’s idea for disrupting sports. His dreams had a mysterious appeal. While I never really care much about sports nor technology, I had been an athlete all my life.
When I watch American sports today, it drives me mad. I cringe at the sounds of male announcers babbling over the game. The lack of creativity for lighting, jerseys and the partriachical halftime entertainment with girls in crop tops smiling to make barely over minimum wage as Chinese acrobats spin plates with no actual tie to the game. I’m not saying halftime entertainment is wrong, but the norm is no longer captivating - it’s actually sexist and racist.
Entertainment is a wild journey of chaos and within my 15 years I also experienced the industry get disrupted by social networks. My friends took control of their own brand and freed themselves from waiting for opportunities to creating their own. Today you don’t need an agent, you just need an Instagram account or YouTube channel and, “action!”.
This social movement is continuing into sports. Athletes are amazing influencers because they are so multidimensional. They breath physical endurance, push mental strength and have the spirit of a zen master. Aren’t these the role models the world needs more of during this pivotal time?
The media’s focus on the top 1% blinds itself to the creative movement happening today. Everyday people are the next stars of sports, the athletes in the street, your neighbor, US! The 99%! This is where I feel the magic in my heart again. I feel something bigger than ourselves and we already see it in the streets.
We are here to help empower everyday athletes to take control of their own destiny, so they can say “NO” because they have other options to make rent.
Kelley Koski, Co-founder
New this month
🏀 We have over 1,000 games scheduled in 2021 through partnerships with the largest, most diverse set of club owners in the United States. More on that coming soon...
✉️ We started a series focused on helping clubs take their game online that provides tips for branding, creating websites and selling sports products online. (link)
Vibe Check ⚡️
✉️ The Guardian posted a fascinating analysis on racial bias in sports commentary (link)
✉️ Adidas, Puma and Reebok have joined the #StopProfitForHateboycott on Facebook. Interesting to watch this list get longer…(link)
📺 Hannibal Burress’ latest special is free on YouTube, while this was recorded years ago, his story interacting with the police is incredibly timely 😮 (link)
🎵 Kelekelta! What an amazing collaborative project with musicians reaching outward from Johannesburg to London, Lagos, L.A. and West Papua. The African roots in this are very healing for the soul. (link) 👈🏾
📚 Last weekend was Nelson Mandela's Birthday, so we are revisiting one of our favorite books “Playing the Enemy: Nelson Mandela and the Game that Made a Nation” (link)
Community spotlight💡
While summer leagues have stopped in most of the country, two cities are carrying the torch. San Diego Swish Pro-Am is mid-season and Queen City Pro-Am started this week.
Check out their pages (@SDSwish, @QueenCityProAm) to view highlights from their games.
FORECAST 💫
Gasping for air, we enter the second half of 2020 emerging from the deep emotional waters of cancer season. The airline slogan “put your mask on first, before you help someone else” has never seemed more fitting for this time. Not until one sees their own traumas will they be able to help the trauma of others.
Entering Leo season we will continue to witness more crumbling of the world we once knew. The only way to free yourself is to claim your truth. Facing our own shadow work is a constant inner journey. Find your lions roar and let it out.
We wish you and your communities good fortune and health during these trying times. 🙏🏽