Episode 95- Cornhole with ACL Commissioner Stacey Moore

From crafting the boards to finding the perfect bags to toss, Cornhole has swept the nation’s backyard barbecues and parties for years. Did you know, however, that it has also swept the nation as a pro sport and continually captivates audiences on ESPN?

This week we get all the scoop on what it’s like in the competitive world of professional Cornhole. We talked to Stacey Moore, Commissioner of the American Cornhole League about the sport’s rise to fame and what inspired him to form the league.

Pro players come from all over to get in on the game. August 4-9th they’ll descend on Rock Hill, South Carolina for the 2020 World Championships. The event boasts more than $150,000 in cash payouts.

We talked about what it’s like to train for the sport and what’s required to qualify. It’s the fastest growing professional sport around, with the ACL ranking as the fastest growing league as well. We’re brushing up on our tossing skills to see if we can compete next year. We’ve already been envisioning how we can bring our own Flash mascot to up our game. Pretty sure, we won’t make the cut but it’s worth a try.

We also tried to get some tricks on how to win that will inevitably be beneficial for the World Champs and your next neighborhood block party alike. We’re looking forward to hearing how our listeners have hustled the jerk from two doors down who spent weeks perfecting his handmade board and toss. There’s nothing like showing up an annoying neighbor.

Stacey shared with us why he believes the sport has become an obsession for so many and why it really is timeless. He’s built the ACL into a highly successful league complete with celebrity players, sponsorships and a steady stream of airtime on ESPN. You can get the World Championship’s airtime schedule here. Since their relationship with the channel began, people have been riveted to the game every time it’s on. Heidi’s best friends were even 2 hours late to their 4^th of July get together because they couldn’t peel themselves away from the action.

The ACL has also expanded its reach to include official merchandise such as boards, bags and more. The merch gives players preparing for a match at home the opportunity to have that coveted ACL seal of approval on everything they need for the competition.

Stacey shared tales of the game including the most epic play he’s ever seen in competition. The suspense and excitement that builds around it and what he’s looking forward to in the future of the game.

If you’re interested in getting in on the game be sure to follow the ACL on Facebook and Twitter.

Have a listen to this week’s episode and we guarantee you’ll be jonesing to get out to set up your boards, grab a beer, stretch out those arms and start getting ready to do some tossing and be sure to call us after you school that neighbor… and when you go pro.