What if a sports team stopped selling your attention and started earning your trust? We sit down with Emily Cole, whose company, Fans First Entertainment, owns the Savannah Bananas, to unpack how putting fans first can flip an entire industry. From all-in ticket pricing and ad-free outfields to a face-value resale platform that prioritizes local families, Emily shows how clear principles lead to bold choices and unforgettable nights.

We explore what “partnership” means when logos aren’t plastered on every wall and value flows to the guest first. Culture sits at the core: hiring for hungry, humble, and smart creates a team that thrives on autonomy, learns relentlessly, and treats every city with care. Emily’s quiet moments during every national anthem become a compass for the work; thousands choosing to spend their time and money with you is a responsibility, not a metric.

Beyond the field, we dive into Bananas Foster, their joy-first initiative that celebrates foster families at every game, turning applause into awareness and action through local connections. And because they love doing the opposite of normal, the Bananas even bring fans together at sea with a multi-day cruise designed for deeper community. Along the way, Emily addresses misconceptions about “overnight” success, why they keep prices accessible despite demand, and how measuring people served beats watching the bank balance.

If you’re craving a roadmap for fan experience, meaningful partnerships, and community that lasts, this conversation delivers play-by-play insight. Follow and share the show, and leave a review so more curious fans can find it.

Recorded Tuesday, December 9th, 2025
Hosts: Damian Bazadona, CEO & Founder, Situation & Maureen Andersen, President & CEO, INTIX
Guest: Emily Cole, Founder, Fans First Entertainment & Owner, The Savannah Bananas
Producer: Peter Yagecic, Innovation Advisor, Situation