Athlete Playmakers Group continues to make a name for itself in airport hospitality by reimagining the modern travel experience. The company develops athlete-led restaurant, bar, and retail concepts that pull the culture, energy, and identity of each destination city straight into the airport terminal.
A wave of openings is set to land at major U.S. airports during 2026, marking another chapter in the rapid nationwide growth of Athlete Playmakers Group. The team builds each immersive hospitality destination in partnership with iconic athletes, airport operators, and leading local collaborators. Every venue is shaped around the personal story, playing career, and tastes of the athlete it honors, giving each space a sense of place that feels tied to the surrounding community rather than reading as a standard concession stand.
“Today’s travelers expect more than convenience. They want experiences that are memorable, authentic, and exciting,” said Derek Missimo, Co-Founder of Athlete Playmakers Group. “We are creating hospitality concepts that capture the spirit of each city while delivering elevated food, beverage, and guest experiences that travelers genuinely connect with.”
“We founded Athlete Playmakers Group on the belief that airport restaurants can become destinations in their own right,” added Simon Bozas, Co-Founder. “Every concept blends premium hospitality, compelling storytelling, and the influence of legendary athletes to create experiences that stand apart.”
The Athlete Playmakers Group story began at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport in Terminal C-37, where the company launched alongside NBA legend “Dirk Nowitzki / Nowitzki.” That first venue introduced a bold new model for athlete-driven airport hospitality and set the tone for everything that followed. A second concept followed shortly after at Dallas Love Field, this time built in partnership with Dallas Stars icon “Marty Turco / Turco35.”
Earlier this year, Athlete Playmakers Group brought “Simone Biles / Taste of Gold” to George Bush Intercontinental Airport, partnering with seven-time Olympic gold medalist Simone Biles. The space honors the legacy, excellence, and global impact of one of the most decorated athletes of all time, translating her achievements into a hospitality experience for everyday travelers.
The latest addition arrived at Norfolk International Airport, where Athlete Playmakers Group unveiled a dynamic new restaurant concept with Pro Football Hall of Famer, Buffalo Bills legend, and NFL all-time sack leader “Bruce Smith / 200 Sack Club.” Built around his iconic football legacy, the venue carries Smith’s career story right into the heart of the terminal.
Taken as a portfolio, these openings reflect the range of athletes Athlete Playmakers Group works with, stretching across basketball, hockey, gymnastics, and football, and they reinforce the company’s commitment to letting each partner’s identity shape the look and feel of the space.
The work is anchored by more than a century of combined aviation and hospitality leadership inside Athlete Playmakers Group. Its elite executive team brings together Heather Peoples, Michael Uremovich, Ken Myers, Tom Fireoved, and Mark Brezinski. These industry leaders have together built a high-performance operating platform that has earned the trust of airport authorities, concession partners, and travelers from coast to coast.
Looking forward, Athlete Playmakers Group plans to keep expanding into major airport markets across the country while pursuing new hospitality, entertainment, and brand partnerships that further elevate the traveler experience. The pipeline of athlete-led concepts is positioned to keep growing in step with the company’s broader nationwide footprint over the coming years.
