Why Sports Scheduling Is Harder Than You Think - John Stewart, FastBreak AI #255

In this episode of the Sports Tech AllStars Podcast, we present John Stewart, CEO and Co-Founder of FastBreak AI.The conversation explores how a routing and scheduling engine built for field sales became the dominant infrastructure behind professional sports scheduling globally, and how FastBreak AI is now leveraging that same technology to transform the $70 billion youth sports market in the United States.TakeawaysProfessional sports scheduling is one of the most complex combinatorial math problems in existenceFastBreak AI is the dominant player in pro sports scheduling globallyThe company entered at the top of the market intentionallyYouth sports in the US is a $70 billion market ripe for consolidation, with private equity now arriving in forceFacial scan comparison to sexual predator databases is coming to youth sports ticketingContinuous background checks are replacing point-in-time checks for coaches and volunteers working with childrenAI-driven voice prompts may become the default user interface for consumer sports tech applications within the next two yearsAffordability in youth sports is an emerging crisis that technology and smarter operator economics can help solveSmart capital - not just more capital - is what changes the trajectory of the sports tech industryTo learn more, visit: https://www.fastbreakai.comGet in touch with John Stewart at: linkedin.com/in/john-stewart-3528a38Hosted by Rohn Malhotra from SportsTechX - Leading source of Investment and Innovation insights in sports.As promised, here's your small surprise:Unlock your 30-day growth plan (worth €49) on the SportsTechX Intelligence Hub for free!Simply verify your company details and you get access to 1,500+ investors, programmes, initiatives and events in the sportstech ecosystem.Here's how to get set up and if you'd like a walkthrough of the platform, feel free to book a call here.More from SportsTechX:Explore the SportsTechX Intelligence Hub, an interactive database of over 8,000 sports tech companies, 8,000+ deals, 1,000+ investors, programs and events - HEREDownload the latest Global Sports Tech Ecosystem Report - HERESign Up for the Sports Tech Weekly Newsletter for more news, features & insights on Sports Tech - HERE Stay Connected and follow for more:LinkedInYouTubeSpotifyApple PodcastChapters00:00 Introduction 01:47 The Origin Story of FastBreak AI 04:24 How Scheduling Went From One Consultant to a Global Platform 06:42 Why Sports Scheduling Is One of the World's Hardest Math Problems 09:59 The NBA, Media Rights and Why Complexity Only Grows 11:15 Market Dominance 13:06 How European Soccer Adds Another Layer of Scheduling Complexity 14:10 Lessons From Selling a Company to Salesforce and Entering Sports Tech 15:10 Youth Sports Is Fragmented 17:09 Land and Expand 19:12 What's Next 22:08 The Wallet, Rewards and Payment Infrastructure Play22:13 Big Trends for 2026 25:17 The Capital Flooding Into Sports Tech Right Now 27:05 Favourite Sporting Moment