Exclusive: Jeff Francoeur’s ‘Pure Athlete’ podcast to be broadcast by Perfect Game

Two platforms focused on youth sports content are coming together in an interesting way. That would be Pure Athlete and Perfect Game.

Pure Athlete is a branded content platform and podcast hosted by founders Jeff Francoeur, Britt Lee, and Brad Williams. Perfect Game is the world’s largest elite youth baseball and softball platform and scouting service, but one that also has a significant media component through their free PerfectGame.tv website and PGTV app. And now, Perfect Game has struck a deal to air the Pure Athlete podcast.

That podcast has put out 80 episodes to date, with an impressive lineup of guests including Chipper Jones, Bobby Witt Jr, Mallory Pugh Swanson, Ryan Howard, Dan Orlovsky, Jennie Finch-Daigle, and many more. It’s also featured episodes of discussions amongst the founders on major youth sports topics such as concussions, winning and losing, travel teams, and beyond.

Now, the Pure Athlete podcast will get some more exposure from this deal. The agreement will see this podcast air on Perfect Game’s website and app at 6 p.m. ET Thursdays (beginning today). Here’s more from a release on why that made sense for both sides:

“Expanding our reach through Perfect Game’s platform aligns with our mission to equip young athletes and their families with the tools they need to succeed both on and off the field,” said Jeff Francoeur, MLB broadcaster, former player and host of the Pure Athlete podcast. “Our content encourages a positive youth sports experience for the next generation of athletes as they compete, and we’re excited to connect with new viewers through this initiative.”

Perfect Game, recognized as the preeminent organization in youth baseball and softball and a leader in player development and tournaments, will add Pure Athlete to its array of entertaining and helpful content delivered on Perfect Game TV. In 2024, nearly 37 million video plays were registered across PerfectGame.TV’s platforms, underscoring its status as a go-to source for baseball enthusiasts. Additionally, 13 million unique users engaged with PGTV content in 2024 via its website, app, and .org platforms – a remarkable 76% increase from 2023, adding 5 million new viewers.

“PGTV continues to grow and is committed to bringing viewers the best in amateur baseball, whether with live event coverage or educating our athletes and their families with the tools they need to navigate their journeys in the best way possible,” said Perfect Game CEO Rob Ponger. “By sharing Pure Athlete’s content, we’re proud to offer even more valuable resources to the youth sports community.”

This does seem like a logical fit for both sides. While Pure Athlete’s content goes beyond baseball and softball to a wider youth sports focus, they do feature a lot of baseball and softball given Francoeur’s background as a MLB player (and continued MLB broadcasting work for TNT Sports and in a role with the Atlanta Braves). And a lot of their guests come from the baseball and softball worlds. Thus, additional distribution of the podcast through Perfect Game should help them further connect with new young athletes and their families who haven’t yet found the show.

Meanwhile, Perfect Game is highly focused on young baseball and softball athletes with their events and showcases. And their media operation is all about telling those stories. That includes some coverage of the most elite athletes, such as their embeds with prospects around the MLB Draft, but also a focus on youth baseball and softball events overall.

Perfect Game has previously struck deals with other podcasts, such as The Step Up Podcast with prominent youth baseball coach Nelson “Coach Nelly” Gonzalez. So this fits with what they’ve been doing on the content side, and gives them access to a notable podcast.  It also gets them tied in with some significant youth sports figures in Francoeur, Lee, and Williams. And it increases the content they’re providing for young athletes.