Athlete Playmakers Group is reshaping how travelers eat, drink, and shop inside U.S. airports. The hospitality company develops athlete-led restaurant, bar, and retail concepts that reflect the culture, energy, and identity of each host city. Rather than offering the same look and feel found in most terminals, every space carries the character of its location into the traveler’s path.
The company has lined up several new airport openings for 2026 as part of an active national expansion. Athlete Playmakers Group works alongside well-known athletes, airport operators, and respected local collaborators on every project. Each space takes shape around the personal story, career path, and preferences of the featured athlete, which helps the concept feel tied to the surrounding community instead of resembling a generic concession area travelers might walk past without notice.
“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.”
Simon Bozas, Co-Founder of Athlete Playmakers Group, pointed to the broader thinking behind the company’s approach. “We founded Athlete Playmakers Group on the belief that airport restaurants can become destinations in their own right,” Bozas said. “Every concept blends premium hospitality, compelling storytelling, and the influence of legendary athletes to create experiences that stand apart.”
From Dallas to Houston to Norfolk
The company opened its first concept at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport in Terminal C-37. That debut paired the brand with NBA legend Dirk Nowitzki and introduced the Nowitzki concept, setting the tone for an athlete-driven model of airport hospitality that has carried into every project since.
Dallas Love Field followed as the second market for Athlete Playmakers Group. The Turco35 concept opened there in partnership with Dallas Stars icon Marty Turco, further establishing the brand within the Dallas area and demonstrating that the company could move quickly from one airport opening to the next.
Earlier this year, the company entered the Houston market with Taste of Gold at George Bush Intercontinental Airport. The location celebrates seven-time Olympic gold medalist Simone Biles, recognizing her standing as one of the most decorated athletes in history and giving Houston travelers a dining concept tied to her global influence.
The latest opening took place at Norfolk International Airport. The new restaurant celebrates Pro Football Hall of Famer Bruce Smith, the NFL’s all-time sack leader and a Buffalo Bills legend, through a concept called the 200 Sack Club that draws directly from his football achievements.
A Leadership Team With Deep Industry Roots
Behind the expansion sits a leadership group with more than a century of combined experience in aviation and hospitality. Heather Peoples, Michael Uremovich, Ken Myers, Tom Fireoved, and Mark Brezinski form the executive bench at Athlete Playmakers Group. Working together, this team has developed an operating platform that has earned the confidence of airport authorities, concession partners, and traveling guests across the country.
Looking Toward Future Markets
The road ahead for Athlete Playmakers Group involves continued expansion into major airport markets throughout the United States. The company also plans to pursue additional hospitality, entertainment, and brand partnerships, each aimed at strengthening the traveler experience at airports nationwide and adding further depth to its growing portfolio of athlete-led destinations.
