As part of the Market Research Society’s Global Data Quality Initiative, SLRG’s Jon Last and Michael Mermelstein shared best practices for minimizing potential respondent fraud as part of this May 18, 2026 webinar: (more…)
Yearly Archives: 2026
The Cautionary Reality Of The 2026 World Cup
It feels like the media has been force feeding soccer down the throats of American sports fans for decades. Even before the U.S. was awarded the World Cup, there was a persistent drumbeat suggesting that “the beautiful game” was going to grow to dominate our national psyche. As we sit on the cusp of the […]
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ARDA Keynote General Session
SLRG President Jon Last led off a lively panel discussion on how macro-economic and cultural realities are impacting the ways that different generations experience the travel market as part of ARDA’s Annual Conference in Las Vegas. You can watch the video here: (more…)
Driver$: Satisfying a hunger for golf
Spencer Potter joins Sports and Leisure Research Group president and “Driver$” co-host Jon Last to look at how technology is literally meeting golfers “where they are” with a tech-enabled food and beverage delivery solution that is helping golf courses increase profitability while improving customer service.
Read More » Would Teddy Roosevelt Approve Of Today’s Sports Environment? Should We Care?
In my nonprofessional life, I’m still an active participant in sports, both as weekend warrior and youth sports administrator. I still strongly subscribe to principles of fairness and inclusivity. I’ve advocated for making sports safer and more welcoming through positive reinforcement rather than negativity or punishment, to motivate and grow broader participation and fan engagement. […]
Read More » Monthly AIF Research At A Glance
The timeshare industry continues to perform steadily amid a complex and uncertain macroeconomic environment. Sales trends from ARDA’s 2025 H2 Report show positive year-over-year growth in Q3, with only minor late-period softening in Q4. The Vacation Ownership Sentiment Index, which measures month-over-month travel habits of 500 timeshare owners against 500 average U.S. travelers, is up year-over-year, reflecting sustained confidence […]
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Is golf more expensive than ever? It’s complicated
A look at the truth behind the cost of golf today, includes quotes from SLRG’s Jon Last.
Read More » More Evidence Of Sports Marketing’s Generational Inflection Point
Shiny state of the art new sports venues like the Intuit Dome in Los Angeles are oozing with innovative new connection points for event attendees. But they may also be amplifying the growing high tech vs high touch generational divide. My latest for Media Post.
Read More » Driver$: Golf course operations in the land of 8:30 p.m. tee times
Amos Stephens and Vicky Urbina bring great passion and thoughtful operational strategies to their golf facility in Wasilla, Alaska. They join Sports and Leisure Research Group’s Jon Last and David Klein for a candid and eye opening look at what it takes to deliver a premium golf experience in our 49th state. Guests: Settlers Bay Golf Course’s […]
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MRII Insights & Innovators Podcast: Cultivating Relationships vs. Selling Projects
On the latest Insights & Innovators podcast, SLRG’s Jon Last is joined for a really important conversation with Eileen Campell about new imperatives for Insights professionals who want to rise above today’s somewhat shortsighted pursuit of quick and easy magic bullets.
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