Boston Is Getting The First Dick’s House Of Sport In Massachusetts
The Prudential Center is about to get even sportier. That is because DICK’S Sporting Goods’ Boston House of Sport will have its grand opening on Friday, April 19.
You may have noticed the House of Sport blimp hovering over the city in recent weeks. The excitement and anticipation of this sports facility has certainly been building.
“After the success of its first three House of Sport locations, Dick’s Sporting Goods is accelerating its plans to add more than 75 to 100 of these concept stores nationwide by 2027,” Footwear News explained this past August.
If you are not familiar, or need a refresher, here is the treat you are in for with House of Sport Boston. “Not only do we have the top gear you need to perform your best, but we have also created an interactive space where you can find inspiration and practice your skills,” DICK’S explains.
The concept is to help inspire athletes not just to get the gear they need for their sport, but to help you fully connect and engage with the experience. Ultimately, the larger aim is to assist athletes reach their full potential.
The main difference (or addition) with a House of Sport is the interactive experiences each of them has onsite.
Here Are Some Of The Activities You Can Expect At The Boston House Of Sport
- Rock Wall – for climbers to practice and build strength.
- MultiSport Cage – demo the latest baseball or softball batting gear. In addition, the cage can be used for lacrosse, soccer, hockey, or field hockey.
- The Golfer’s Paradise – a putting green, where you can try clubs and putters.
- House of Cleats – a sphere full of cleats for every surface and every sport.
- A Field – an outdoor space at select locations that includes turf and a track.
- The Fitness Shop – where you will find equipment gear, and the latest exercises machines.
In addition, expert services are a part of what you can expect upon visiting a House of Sport. If you need a bike tune-up, tennis racquet restrung, golf adjustments, or get your baseball glove game-ready, this is the place to go to.
Opening weekend at Boston’s House of Sport will include a star-studded cast. Boston Red Sox Star David Ortiz and hockey captain Hilary Knight will be there on Friday. Celtics legends Larry Bird, Kevin McHale and Robert Parish will make appearances on Saturday the 20th. On Sunday, former Bruins center Patrice Bergeron is scheduled to be there.
You can find additional information about the DICK’S House of Sport Boston grand opening here.
DICK’S House of Sport has locations in nine other states. You can find their location here.
The official Boston address is 760 Boylston Street.
5 Retired Athletes Crushing It With Their Podcasts
“Everyone has a podcast now,” seems to be a typical response when the topic comes up. Maybe that’s true, or more so, that the ability to have the resources to create own is easier. However, some retired professional athletes are finding a great next chapter to their career through impactful podcasts and media platforms.
Still, that does not mean anyone can do it well. The question becomes, how do you sift through and find those that are really doing it right? Aside from what is spoon fed to you through social media, certain athletes have trusted their knowledge and experience of the game to carry them to conversational success.
What Is The Criteria For Compiling This Retired Athletes Podcast List?
Well, for starters they need to be legitimate former professional athletes. Meaning, they played in their respective sport at a high-level for a long duration of time.
Next, we’re looking for athletes who do this regularly now as a consistent means. In addition, the preference is for their subject matters to have a direct focus. For example, a former NFL star talking about football.
With the exception of Pat McAfee, there are not a ton of athletes (other than Michael Strahan) that can successfully cast a wide net and engage their audience on any topic under the sun. Sure, it can be done. But for this list, the preference is largely for the premise of each show to be somewhat specialized.
Another requirement here is that the athlete has to be retired from the sport and not currently on or associated with a team. That would make someone like Micah Parson (who has a successful podcast) and Travis Kelce ineligible (even though brother and co-host Jason is now retired).
Although the sports and subject matters will vary with this list, there are still a few common themes. Each athlete demonstrates their own personality in their podcast. Sometimes being under a helmet or on the court does not allow an athlete’s true personality to always shine through. With a podcast it does.
The host also has a talent where they give the listener a great perspective on the subject at hand. Greg Olsen from Fox Sports does a great job with this on live broadcasts. He gives the audience an inside view of what a player may be thinking in that moment of the game, given he played for so long. He’ll also share what goes on inside a locker room.
Before we get to the list, an honorable mention here goes to Fox sports insider, Jay Glazer. He did not make the list because he is not a former pro athlete. However, his Unbreakable podcast that discusses mental health in the world of professional sports has proven to be very impactful.
Without further ado, here are the six great podcasts hosted by retired professional athletes who have built an impressive following with their great shows.
Jeff Gorra is a Boston-based writer who has been with Beasley Media Group since the beginning of 2023. He writes about restaurants and food, as well as sports and rock music. His experience also includes show hosting and in-depth creative writing in rock and reggae dub music. Jeff’s an avid surfer, New York Giants, and Pearl Jam fan, however, if you make unforgettable pizza, he is sure to find you.
