From Dallas to Houston to Norfolk, Athlete Playmakers Group has spent the past several years building airport venues anchored by recognizable athletes. The company will add more locations to that list throughout 2026 as part of an ongoing push into major airport markets across the United States.
The model centers on collaborations with athletes whose careers connect to the city where each venue lands. Restaurants, bars, and retail spaces draw from the athlete’s history, food preferences, and hometown culture, which gives each location a local flavor that standard terminal concessions tend to lack. Airport operators and regional partners contribute to the build-out of each site.
Co-Founder Derek Missimo framed the approach this way: “Today’s travelers expect more than convenience. They want experiences that are memorable, authentic, and exciting. 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.”
Fellow Co-Founder Simon Bozas pointed to the company’s founding premise: “We founded Athlete Playmakers Group on the belief that airport restaurants can become destinations in their own right. Every concept blends premium hospitality, compelling storytelling, and the influence of legendary athletes to create experiences that stand apart.”
The company’s track record now spans four airports. The first venue opened at Terminal C-37 of Dallas Fort Worth International Airport with retired NBA forward Dirk Nowitzki, operating under the “Nowitzki” banner. Dallas Love Field followed soon after, this time with former Dallas Stars goaltender Marty Turco lending his name to “Turco35.”
Houston came next. The company opened “Taste of Gold” at George Bush Intercontinental Airport this year with seven-time Olympic gold medalist Simone Biles, marking her gymnastics achievements and worldwide following.
The most recent debut took place at Norfolk International Airport. There, Pro Football Hall of Famer Bruce Smith partnered with the company on “200 Sack Club,” a restaurant named for his record as the NFL’s all-time sack leader during his career with the Buffalo Bills.
Behind the openings sits a leadership team with more than a century of combined experience in aviation and hospitality. Heather Peoples, Michael Uremovich, Ken Myers, Tom Fireoved, and Mark Brezinski make up that group, and their operating relationships extend across airport authorities, concession partners, and travelers nationwide.
The road ahead points toward continued entry into major airport markets, along with fresh partnerships across hospitality, entertainment, and consumer brands aimed at broadening the company’s reach in the travel sector.
