From small-town baseball experiment to sold-out stadium phenomenon, the Savannah Bananas have redefined what it means to be a sports franchise. In this episode of Speak Easy, Amar Shah and Kaylee Chicoski break down how founder Jesse Cole built a fan-first empire that feels more like a movement than a minor-league team.

🎯 We talk about:

• Why the Bananas have become the Taylor Swift of sports entertainment
• How fan-first thinking created a sold-out global tour
• What brands can learn from putting joy and storytelling above tradition
• Why authenticity beats perfection when building community
• How decentralizing content turns players and fans into co-creators
• Lessons for sports leagues, teams, and brands about reimagining fandom

Show Notes

00:06 – Cold Open:
Kaylee and Amar introduce Speak Easy and dive into the rise of the Savannah Bananas.

01:02 – The Hype:
How the Bananas filled stadiums nationwide and reached Taylor Swift-level attention.

02:16 – The Critics:
Why some “traditionalists” are pushing back and what that reveals about baseball culture.

03:00 – Not for Everyone:
How Jesse Cole intentionally built a fan experience outside of MLB’s core audience.

04:29 – Reinventing Baseball:
From fan-catch outs to flaming bats — innovation that puts fun before formality.

06:41 – Media Machine:
YouTube, TikTok, documentaries, and dance teams — how the Bananas turned into a full-scale content studio.

08:49 – Fan-First Playbook:
Lessons every brand can learn from meeting audiences where they are and giving them ownership of the story.

11:06 – The Takeaway:
Why creativity, connection, and community always win over tradition.

Official Show Description

Speak Easy with Amar Shah and Kaylee Chicoski is where storytelling meets strategy and fandom becomes community.

Hosted by Emmy-winning storyteller Amar Shah and Shorty Award-winning strategist Kaylee Chicoski, the show explores how fan engagement drives culture, connection, and business growth.

From Taylor Swift to the Super Bowl, each episode, produced by West Egg Ventures, dives into how brands, creators, and fans build lasting loyalty through emotion, authenticity, and shared story.

Our Mission
We help sports, lifestyle, and culture-driven brands grow through fan-first strategy, creator-led content, and cultural activations that turn engagement into loyalty.

Learn more at WestEggVentures.com

📩 info@westeggventures.com

🎥 YouTube: youtube.com/@WestEggVentures

💼 LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/west-egg-ventures