Travelers passing through major U.S. airports are starting to see a new kind of stop between flights. Athlete Playmakers Group, a fast-rising hospitality company, builds restaurants, bars, and retail spaces led by professional athletes, and every venue ties back to the culture, energy, and identity of the city it sits in. The brand is now lining up another round of openings, and 2026 is shaping up to be its biggest year yet.
An Expanding National Footprint
Athlete Playmakers Group has multiple new airport venues planned across the country in 2026, and the expansion follows a steady run of launches built with iconic athletes, airport operators, and leading local collaborators. Every space takes shape around the personal story, career, and tastes of the athlete behind it. The approach gives each venue a real connection to its surroundings rather than the feel of a standard concession space.
Co-Founder Derek Missimo points to traveler expectations as the driving force behind the model.
“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.”
Reimagining the Airport Restaurant
The company treats every terminal opening as a chance to build a place worth stopping for. Premium hospitality, sharp storytelling, and the pull of a legendary athlete all run through the design and the menu. The result is a venue that holds its own as a destination rather than blending into the gate-area background.
“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 Concepts on the Map So Far
The first Athlete Playmakers Group venue landed at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport in Terminal C-37 with NBA legend “Dirk Nowitzki / Nowitzki.” That opening introduced a bold new model for athlete-driven airport hospitality and set the standard for everything that came next.
The company then moved to Dallas Love Field with Dallas Stars icon “Marty Turco / Turco35,” adding a second athlete-led space for North Texas travelers from the same operating team.
Earlier this year, the brand opened “Simone Biles / Taste of Gold” at George Bush Intercontinental Airport with the seven-time Olympic gold medalist. The venue honors the legacy, excellence, and global impact Biles has built as one of the most decorated athletes of all time.
The newest opening sits at Norfolk International Airport, where Athlete Playmakers Group debuted a restaurant concept with Pro Football Hall of Famer, Buffalo Bills legend, and NFL all-time sack leader “Bruce Smith / 200 Sack Club.” Every detail of the space reflects Smith’s iconic football legacy.
Veteran Leadership Driving the Brand
A leadership team with more than a century of combined experience in aviation and hospitality runs the company. Heather Peoples, Michael Uremovich, Ken Myers, Tom Fireoved, and Mark Brezinski sit at the core of the executive group, and together they have built a high-performance operating platform that has earned the trust of airport authorities, concession partners, and travelers nationwide.
What’s Next
Athlete Playmakers Group plans to keep growing into major airport markets across the country. The team also intends to pursue new hospitality, entertainment, and brand partnerships that bring more depth to the traveler experience. The 2026 openings keep the same playbook moving, which pairs a well-known athlete with a city-rooted concept and gives travelers something they actually want to stop for.
