Sales | Summer of Sports + Infrastructure
Athletes Make The Best™ · Partner Sales Kit
Summer of Sports
+ Infrastructure
Across the U.S. + The Caribbean · athletesmakethebest.com
Call scripts, email templates, and prospect strategy for the 2026 partner season.
Sports Dominates Viewership
96%
Of the top 100 most-watched U.S. telecasts in 2025 were live sports broadcasts
Built-In Audience
70%+
Of American adults have participated in organized sports
Active Market Opportunity
$1T+
Annual U.S. + Caribbean infrastructure investment across commercial, industrial, and digital sectors
Cold Outreach
Email Templates
Three versions — pick the one that fits your prospect. Lead with their business pain, not the platform.
Version A — Construction / Energy / Utilities / Ports
Corporate Sponsors & Partners
Corporate
Hi [First Name],
The capital is committed. The projects are moving. The gap is coordinated alignment — across local suppliers, workforce participation, and community benefit requirements that come attached to federal, state, and municipal infrastructure contracts.
That's the problem Summer of Sports + Infrastructure is built to solve.
Produced by Athletes Make The Best™, the initiative connects sports communities to active commercial, industrial, and digital infrastructure investment across the U.S. and Caribbean — converting sports reach (96% of the top 100 most-watched U.S. telecasts in 2025 were sports) into verified workforce candidates, qualified suppliers, and compliance documentation.
What a partnership with [Company] looks like:
→ Listing tiers starting at $550/market — post your supplier needs and job openings, get matched with athlete-trained candidates and vendors ready to work
→ Letter of Verification included at every tier — accepted for RFP submissions, grants, incentives, and Good Faith Effort Reporting
→ Corporate Partnerships are custom-scoped around your project footprint, hiring needs, supplier requirements, and market presence
Our founding sponsor is Condos Brothers Construction. We're adding partners in construction, energy, utilities, and ports now across 7 markets in 2026.
Could we find 20 minutes? I'll walk you through which listing tier fits your current projects and what the compliance documentation covers.
[Your Name]
[Title] · Athletes Make The Best™
[Phone] | athletesmakethebest.com
P.S. — If workforce pipeline or supplier diversity isn't your department, a quick reply pointing me to the right person is all I need.
Version B — Economic Development / Government / CDFIs
Government & Economic Development
Gov / EDC
Hi [First Name],
More than 70% of American adults have participated in organized sports. Sports accounted for approximately 96% of the top 100 most-watched U.S. telecasts in 2025. That reach has never been systematically connected to infrastructure workforce access and procurement compliance — until now.
Summer of Sports + Infrastructure is a multi-city economic development series — produced by Athletes Make The Best™ with nonprofit partner The SPIN Foundation (501(c)(3)) — that uses sports as a distribution engine to move small businesses, workforce candidates, and community organizations into active infrastructure procurement pathways.
The SPIN Foundation collaborates with public-private funders to deliver participation grant programs supporting businesses and athletes across commercial, industrial, and digital sectors — and to share grant opportunities across our markets for workforce development, supplier diversity, community benefit, and infrastructure investment.
For economic development and government partners:
→ Community benefit documentation — LocalContent.com Letters of Verification accepted for RFPs, grants, incentive filings, and Good Faith Effort Reporting
→ Grant infrastructure — SPIN Foundation (501(c)(3)) delivers participation grants for businesses and athletes tied to active projects
→ Workforce + supplier pipeline tied directly to opportunity zones and active projects in your market
2026 Markets: New York City/Long Island · Newark, NJ · Philadelphia, PA · Las Vegas, NV · Miami, FL · Puerto Rico · U.S. Virgin Islands
I'd welcome a 20-minute conversation about how a partnership aligns with your 2026 infrastructure priorities.
[Your Name]
[Title] · Athletes Make The Best™
[Phone] | athletesmakethebest.comVersion C — Follow-Up / No Response (Day 8)
Follow-Up — Directory Launch Deadline
All Sectors
Hi [First Name],
Following up in case this got buried.
One thing worth knowing: the Work, Build, Stay & Play Business Directory publishes June 1, 2026. Partners listed before that date are included at launch — that's the version prime contractors, project owners, and procurement teams across all 7 markets will see first.
The Standard Listing is $550/market. It includes your top 5 supplier needs, SEO and AEO visibility for procurement searches, and a LocalContent.com Letter of Verification you can submit for RFPs and incentive filings immediately.
If the timing isn't right, no problem. But if there's any chance the compliance documentation or supplier pipeline is useful before your next project milestone — a quick reply is all it takes.
[Your Name]
[Phone] | athletesmakethebest.com
Cold Call Framework
Call Script
Goal of the first call: book a 20-minute follow-up. Not a close. The discovery question is the most important thing you'll say.
Before you dial: Find one recent press release, project announcement, or LinkedIn post from the company about workforce, local hiring, or community investment. Open with it: "I saw [Company] announced [X] — that's exactly why I wanted to reach you." Turns cold to warm in 10 seconds.
1
The Opening — First 12 Seconds
Don't ask "is this a good time?"
"[First Name], this is [Your Name] from Athletes Make The Best — we produce Summer of Sports + Infrastructure, the workforce and supplier platform tied to active infrastructure investment across the U.S. and Caribbean. I wanted to reach you before we close out our 2026 partner listings."
↳ Pause. Let them respond. Do not fill the silence.
[If they ask "what is this?"] "We connect infrastructure companies to verified workforce candidates and qualified suppliers through sports — with LocalContent.com compliance documentation included at every tier. It's used for RFP submissions, incentive filings, and Good Faith Effort Reporting. I'm calling because [Company] looks like a natural fit based on your project work in [sector/market]."
2
Discovery — One Question, Then Stop Talking
"Before I go further — what's the biggest friction point for [Company] right now when it comes to finding qualified local suppliers, meeting workforce participation targets, or documenting compliance for your current projects?"
↳ Listen. Their answer tells you which angle to use for the rest of the call:
— Workforce pain → candidate pipeline, Academy, job postings
— Supplier/procurement pain → listings + Letter of Verification
— Community benefit/ESG → SPIN Foundation grants + video content
— Workforce pain → candidate pipeline, Academy, job postings
— Supplier/procurement pain → listings + Letter of Verification
— Community benefit/ESG → SPIN Foundation grants + video content
3
Value Bridge — Connect Their Answer to the Platform
[Workforce angle] "That's exactly the gap the platform is built for. You post your open roles, we match you with athlete-trained candidates across all 7 markets. The Enhanced Listing adds a 400-word press release distributed to local and national media. The Letter of Verification covers your Good Faith Effort documentation on any project with local hiring requirements."
[Supplier/compliance angle] "Then the listing and the Letter of Verification are the most valuable pieces for you. Post your top supplier needs, get matched with vetted vendors, and walk away with LocalContent.com documentation accepted for RFPs, grants, and incentive applications. That has direct dollar value on your next filing."
[Community benefit / ESG angle] "We partner with The SPIN Foundation — IRS-recognized 501(c)(3) — to deliver participation grants and paid internship programs tied to infrastructure opportunity zones. The Market Listing adds a full-day video shoot, distributed weekly across the Summer of Sports + Infrastructure network. That's your community benefit story documented and distributed at scale."
4
The Ask — Always Offer Two Specific Times
"The Work, Build, Stay & Play Directory publishes June 1. Partners listed before that date are in the launch version — the one prime contractors and procurement teams see first. I'd love to send you the full overview. I have [Thursday at 10am] or [Friday at 2pm] — which works better?"
↳ Never leave it open-ended. "Let me know when you're free" is where deals go to die.
Pricing Reference — Know Before You Call
| Tier | Price | Best For | Key Benefit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Listing | $550/market | Suppliers, subs, specialty vendors | Supplier matching + Letter of Verification |
| Enhanced Listing | $1,250/market | GCs, engineering firms, regional services | + Job postings + press release distribution |
| Market Listing | $9,250/market | Developers, large contractors, workforce agencies | + Full-day video shoot + weekly distribution |
| Corporate Partner | Custom | Utilities, developers, OEMs, financial institutions | Full ecosystem strategy + platform-level alignment |
Handling Pushback
Common Objections
Every objection is information. Listen for the real concern underneath, then bridge back to the business outcome.
💬 "We don't have budget for this."
"Understood — is that a timing issue or a priority issue? The Standard Listing is $550 per market and includes the Letter of Verification that goes on your next RFP filing. It usually sits in workforce development, supplier diversity, or community affairs budgets — not marketing. I want to make sure I'm reaching the right person inside [Company]."
💬 "Send me some information."
"Happy to — takes me 10 seconds to send the right version. Which matters more for [Company] right now: filling open roles with athlete-trained candidates, qualifying suppliers for project procurement, or documenting community benefit for compliance filings? I'll lead with that section."
💬 "We already have a workforce or diversity program."
"That's great — this isn't a replacement, it's documentation. The LocalContent.com Letter of Verification is what turns your existing investment into something you can attach to an RFP or incentive application. If you're already doing the work, the listing is how you prove it in procurement."
💬 "This seems like a sports thing, not an infrastructure thing."
"That framing is actually the model. Sports is the distribution channel — 96% of the top 100 most-watched U.S. broadcasts were sports. We use that audience to surface workforce candidates and small business suppliers who aren't in your current database. The output is infrastructure pipeline. Sports is how we find people at scale."
💬 "We're not hiring right now."
"Totally fair — the supplier side is probably more relevant then. Post your top vendor needs, get matched with qualified suppliers, and walk away with the Letter of Verification for compliance filings. That's useful whether you're hiring or not, especially with active project financing requirements."
💬 "Who else is doing this?"
"Condos Brothers Construction is our founding sponsor — Official Yellow Team partner. We're in conversations with companies in construction, energy, and utilities across all 7 markets right now. I'd rather get [Company] in before your sector's slot fills than have you following someone else in."
💬 "Call me back in Q3."
"I can do that — I do want to flag one thing: the Work, Build, Stay & Play Directory publishes June 1. Partners who come in after miss the launch window — that's the version prime contractors and project owners across all 7 markets see first. If a Standard Listing makes sense now, it's $550 and I can have it set up this week."
Who to Reach
Ideal Partners
Route to Workforce Development, Supplier Diversity, Community Affairs, or Economic Development — not marketing. Company size matters less than project pipeline and compliance exposure.
2026 Active Markets
Tier 1 — Highest Priority
| Sector | Title to Target | Lead With | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Construction & Engineering AECOM, Jacobs, Turner, regional GCs |
VP Workforce Dev · Dir. Community Affairs | Letter of Verification for Good Faith Effort + local hire compliance | Tier 1 |
|
Utilities & Energy Con Edison, PSE&G, National Grid |
Chief Diversity Officer · VP Community | DEI mandate fulfillment with documented proof | Tier 1 |
|
Ports & Maritime Port Authority NY/NJ, Port Miami |
Dir. Economic Dev · Dir. Supplier Diversity | Local content compliance + small business supplier pipeline | Tier 1 |
|
Hospitality, Tourism & Sports Districts Mixed-use developers, venue operators |
VP Community Relations · Dir. Corporate Affairs | Community benefit agreements + Groups & Meetings program | Tier 1 |
|
Digital & Telecom Infrastructure Verizon, Crown Castle, Zayo |
VP Community Affairs · Dir. Supplier Diversity | Supplier diversity pipeline for broadband expansion | Tier 1 |
Tier 2 — Strong Fit, Longer Cycle
| Sector | Title to Target | Lead With | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Regional Banks & CDFIs TD Bank, M&T, LISC, Caribbean CDFIs |
CRA Officer · Dir. Community Development | CRA compliance documentation with measurable community outcomes | Tier 2 |
|
Workforce Staffing ManpowerGroup, Randstad, Yoh |
VP Partnerships · SVP Strategy | Pre-vetted athlete-trained infrastructure candidate pipeline | Tier 2 |
|
Economic Development Agencies Empire State Dev., NJEDA, city IDAs |
Commissioner · Deputy Director | SPIN Foundation grants + opportunity zone alignment | Tier 2 |
|
Advanced Manufacturing EV supply chain, semiconductor-adjacent |
Dir. Workforce Investment · SVP Operations | CHIPS/IRA domestic content requirements + workforce pipeline | Tier 2 |
Pre-call 60-second research tip: Find one recent announcement from the company about workforce, community investment, local hiring, or supplier diversity. Open every call: "I saw [Company] announced [X] — that's exactly why I wanted to reach you specifically." This converts a cold call to a warm call instantly.
— SPIN Foundation · 501(c)(3)
Grant Award Outreach
Use these when reaching out to companies selected to receive a complimentary Standard Listing — awarded free and clear through the SPIN Foundation's participation grant program. Lead with the award, not the ask.
Award Notification Email — Suppliers / Subcontractors / Specialty Vendors
SPIN Foundation — Standard Listing Grant Award
Grant Award
Hi [First Name],
On behalf of The SPIN Foundation and Athletes Make The Best™, I'm pleased to let you know that [Company] has been selected to receive a complimentary Standard Listing in the Summer of Sports + Infrastructure platform — awarded free and clear as part of our 2026 participation grant program.
There is no cost to you. This is an award.
Your Standard Listing includes:
Summer of Sports + Infrastructure connects sports communities to the real-time development of commercial, industrial, and digital infrastructure projects across the U.S. and Caribbean — with 7 active markets in 2026 including New York City, Newark, Philadelphia, Las Vegas, Miami, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
The Work, Build, Stay & Play Business Directory publishes June 1, 2026. That's the version prime contractors and project owners across all markets see at launch. To be included, I just need a few minutes to set up your listing.
Can we schedule a quick 15-minute call this week to get your profile live?
[Your Name]
[Title] · Athletes Make The Best™ / The SPIN Foundation
[Phone] | athletesmakethebest.com
P.S. — The Letter of Verification alone has direct value on your next RFP or incentive filing. That documentation goes to work the moment your listing is activated.
- Post your top 5 supplier needs — get matched with vendors ready to work
- SEO and AEO visibility — your company found when procurement teams search online
- Reach prime contractors and project owners through the influence and audience of sports
- LocalContent.com Letter of Verification — submit it for RFPs, grants, incentives & Good Faith Effort Reporting
Version B — Government Referral / EDC-Nominated Company
EDC / Government Referred Company
Grant Award
Hi [First Name],
[Referring Agency / EDC name] identified [Company] as a strong candidate for the Summer of Sports + Infrastructure platform, and I'm reaching out to let you know that you've been awarded a complimentary Standard Listing through The SPIN Foundation's 2026 participation grant program.
No application. No cost. You've been selected.
Your complimentary Standard Listing includes:
The platform connects suppliers and subcontractors directly to active commercial, industrial, and digital infrastructure procurement pipelines across 7 markets in 2026 — with the Work, Build, Stay & Play Business Directory publishing June 1, 2026.
Getting your listing live takes about 15 minutes. Can we connect this week?
[Your Name]
[Title] · Athletes Make The Best™ / The SPIN Foundation
[Phone] | athletesmakethebest.com- Post your top 5 supplier needs — matched with vendors ready to work
- SEO and AEO visibility — your company found when procurement teams search
- Reach prime contractors and project owners through sports
- LocalContent.com Letter of Verification for RFPs, grants, incentives & Good Faith Effort Reporting
Mindset shift for grant calls: You are not selling. You are delivering good news. The tone is warm, direct, and brief. The only goal is to get them to say "yes, set it up" — the listing is already theirs.
1
The Opening
Lead with the award — no buildup needed
"Hi [First Name], this is [Your Name] from Athletes Make The Best — I'm calling because [Company] has been selected to receive a complimentary listing in the Summer of Sports + Infrastructure platform through The SPIN Foundation's grant program. There's no cost to you — I just need about 15 minutes to get your profile set up before our directory publishes June 1."
↳ Pause. Let them respond. Most people say "wait, what is this?" — that's your cue to explain the platform briefly. Some say "great, when?" — go straight to scheduling.
2
If They Ask "What Is This?"
"Summer of Sports + Infrastructure connects suppliers and subcontractors to active infrastructure procurement pipelines — commercial, industrial, and digital — across 7 markets in 2026. Your listing posts your top supplier needs, gets you SEO visibility when procurement teams are searching, and includes a LocalContent.com Letter of Verification you can attach to RFP submissions, grant applications, and incentive filings. That last piece alone is typically worth the $550 cost — but your listing has been awarded at no cost through our foundation grant program."
3
The Value Bridge — One Key Point
"The directory publishes June 1 — that's when prime contractors and project owners across New York, New Jersey, Philadelphia, Las Vegas, Miami, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands start searching it. Companies in the launch version get seen first. I want to make sure [Company] is in that version."
↳ Keep it simple. This isn't a pitch — they already have the award. You're creating urgency around the June 1 deadline.
4
The Ask — 15 Minutes, Two Times
"It takes about 15 minutes to get your listing live — I'll walk you through it. I have [Thursday at 10am] or [Friday at 2pm] — which works better for a quick call?"
↳ If they say "just email me what I need to fill out" — offer the email version but still confirm a date to follow up if you don't hear back.
5
Grant Call Objection Handling
[If they're skeptical it's free] "I understand — it is free and clear. The SPIN Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that administers participation grants to support small businesses and suppliers in infrastructure sectors. Your listing was selected for a grant award. There's no catch and no upsell on this call — I'm just here to get your profile activated before the June 1 launch."
[If they say "we're busy, call back later"] "Totally understand — I'll keep this brief. The one thing worth knowing: the directory launches June 1 and companies in the launch version get the most visibility with prime contractors. If I can't reach you before then, you'll miss the launch window even though your listing is already awarded. Can I send you a quick email with the setup link so you can activate it on your own time?"
[If they ask "what's the catch?"] "No catch. The SPIN Foundation supports supplier participation in infrastructure procurement — that's the mission. Getting small businesses and subcontractors in front of prime contractors and project owners is what the grant is designed to do. Your listing is the tool. I'm just here to set it up."
Follow-Up Email — No Response After Initial Outreach
Grant Award Follow-Up — June 1 Deadline
Follow-Up
Hi [First Name],
Following up on the complimentary Standard Listing awarded to [Company] through The SPIN Foundation's grant program.
Your listing is still reserved — but the Work, Build, Stay & Play Business Directory publishes June 1, 2026, and I want to make sure you're in the launch version. That's when prime contractors and procurement teams across all 7 markets start searching.
Getting your profile live takes about 15 minutes. If it's easier, just reply with:
→ Your top 3–5 supplier needs or services
→ Your market(s) — which cities or regions you work in
→ A contact name and phone number for your listing
I'll handle the rest and send you the Letter of Verification as soon as your listing is activated.
[Your Name]
[Title] · Athletes Make The Best™ / The SPIN Foundation
[Phone] | athletesmakethebest.com
