Theme Park Insider

Getting in the game with sports-themed attractions

Theme Park Insider

Show Notes

Some of the most popular entertainment brands in the world are sports teams. With IP being king in theme parks these days, why don't we see more parks developing sports-themed attractions? I asked that question to the experts who have designed two of the leading examples of sports attractions in the world today - the team at JRA. JRA worked on creative design for Ferrari World in Abu Dhabi and the upcoming Steelers Country land at Kennywood, which will feature the record-setting nine-inversion Steel Curtain roller coaster. Joining me for the conversation are Randy Smith, the project director for Ferrari World, Rick O'Connell, the design director for Steelers Country and Shawn McCoy, the Vice President at JRA.

---

Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/themeparkinsider/support

Get full access to Theme Park Insider at themeparkinsider.substack.com/subscribe

More from Theme Park Insider

Oct 22, 2026

Jake and Robert consider Six Flags’ plunging stock price (down over 85% from the merger close) and what the company's next moves might be.

Oct 15, 2026

Jake and Robert talk about what Six Flags needs to do to respect the memory of Hassan Jihad Ibn Kariem, by finding out what led to his death on the Goliath roller coaster at Six Flags Over Georgia and sharing the results of that investigation with the public.

Oct 8, 2026

Jake and Robert talk their favorite - and least favorite - theme park attraction holiday overlays, including those at Disney, Universal and Knott's.

Oct 1, 2026

Robert and Jake talk about Six Flags Magic Mountain's decision to retire X2 and what the company can do next to help improve the former Thrill Capital of the World.

Sep 24, 2026

Robert and Jake talk about how being a hard-ticket event (or not) affects the quality of a Halloween haunt. We also get into the latest existential threats to Six Flags - the ongoing debt burden and now the prospect of having to pay big legal settlements over the X2 roller coaster.

See all episodes →