AUDL Podcast Interviews
With the birth of professional ultimate frisbee, the sport is evolving faster than any other time in it's 40-year history. I'm chasing down stories from behind-the-scenes and learning about the people who are actively charting a new course for the sport.
The owners of AUDL teams come from a diverse set of industries and backgrounds, but are all interested in creating a successful professional league. Some of them had a long background in ultimate before purchasing a franchise. Others found business success elsewhere and see an AUDL franchise as a vehicle for enjoyment and prestige.
They all agree that ultimate frisbee continues to grow in popularity and participation. Will there bets pay off? Will the AUDL eventually reach a point where players are truly professionals and can make a living wage off of their participation?
I think that such a scenario is still at least a half decade away. In that time, an entire generation of players will cycle through, franchises will rise (and fall), and new norms for the sport will be created.
Whether you like the American Ultimate Disc League or not, the reality is that a lot of capital has been invested into this venture and it already has made an indelible impact on the sport.
Listen to the interviews and let me know what you think the future holds for professional ultimate frisbee.
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Commissioners - Steve Gordon #1, Josh Moore (AUDL founder), Steve Gordon #2
East Division Owners - Jean-Levy Champagne (Montreal Royal), Jim Lloyd (Toronto Rush, Ottawa Outlaws), Don Grage (DC Breeze)
South Division Owners - Jim Gerenscer (Dallas Roughnecks), Ivy & Byun Young (Dallas Roughnecks), Steve Hall (Atlanta Hustle)
West Division Owners - Qxhna Titcomb (Seattle Cascades), Xtehn Titcomb (Seattle Cascades), Jim Lloyd (Vancouver Riptide)
Midwest Division Owners - Tim Debyl (Madison Radicals), Steve Gordon #1, #2 (Chicago Wildfire), Tim Held (Indianapolis AlleyCats)
GMs - Andrew Gardner (Pittsburgh Thunderbirds), Ryan Purcell (Austin Sol)
Media - Evan Lepler, Charlie Eisenhood
East Division Owners - Jean-Levy Champagne (Montreal Royal), Jim Lloyd (Toronto Rush, Ottawa Outlaws), Don Grage (DC Breeze)
South Division Owners - Jim Gerenscer (Dallas Roughnecks), Ivy & Byun Young (Dallas Roughnecks), Steve Hall (Atlanta Hustle)
West Division Owners - Qxhna Titcomb (Seattle Cascades), Xtehn Titcomb (Seattle Cascades), Jim Lloyd (Vancouver Riptide)
Midwest Division Owners - Tim Debyl (Madison Radicals), Steve Gordon #1, #2 (Chicago Wildfire), Tim Held (Indianapolis AlleyCats)
GMs - Andrew Gardner (Pittsburgh Thunderbirds), Ryan Purcell (Austin Sol)
Media - Evan Lepler, Charlie Eisenhood
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Aaron Watson played for, and captained, the Pittsburgh Thunderbirds in the 2015 and 2016 seasons.
Aaron won two USA Ultimate college championships with the University of Pittsburgh's En Sabah Nur team in 2012 and 2013. He captained the team in their 2013 and 2014 seasons.