Where Sports Meets Culture
Backyard Entertainment began in 2018 as a passion project created by professional soccer player Hugh Roberts. As his career evolved, so did the vision — revealing an opportunity to use storytelling, access, and platform to impact the communities where sports and culture intersect.
What started in football has grown into something bigger. Today, Backyard Entertainment is a multi-sport storytelling platform focused on amplifying authentic voices, highlighting the human side of athletes, and capturing moments beyond the game. Led by former professional athlete and community advocate Hugh Roberts, the brand continues to evolve — driven by access, culture, and real stories that matter.
BYE Podcasts
Backyard Entertainment, founded in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, began in 2018 while Hugh Roberts was playing professionally for the Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC. What started as a podcast sharing stories from across the USL Championship quickly grew as the platform traveled with the game — from international interviews in Germany with former U.S. Men’s National Team players to establishing roots in Charlotte, North Carolina.
During three years in Charlotte, Backyard Entertainment expanded its reach by capturing the stories of both emerging and veteran professionals, collaborating with Charlotte-based media group Midwood Collective, and delivering behind-the-scenes access to professional life in the United Soccer League. From training sessions and road trips to matchday, on-field visuals, the platform evolved into a full-scale entertainment and storytelling brand offering multiple perspectives of the athlete experience.
The journey continued on the West Coast with Monterey Bay FC, where Backyard Entertainment partnered with Reyes Films to launch new visual series, including FootyVisualz and a docu-series that offered an in-depth look at match nights and player journeys at Cardinale Stadium. Following Hugh Roberts’ retirement from professional soccer in 2025, and his transition into working with the U.S. Soccer Foundation, the brand continues to evolve — expanding beyond football while staying rooted in authentic access, culture, and storytelling across sports.
Subscribe and follow across all platforms as Backyard Entertainment enters its next chapter, with exciting new projects and expanded coverage on the way.
BYF ep 43 with the president of the USL Jake Edwards. Hear him talk about the growth of the league and his vision on the USL
BYF ep 50 woth Jasmine spencer from the NWSL with Angel City Fc in Los Angeles. Hear her talk about her experience and why she plays the game.
BYE DOCUMENTARIES
Collaborating with Autentico films, we were able to give you raw insight into Hugh's return and what this season meant to him. We have a new docuseries on the way with more unique insight from Professional players. Check out more under the Footy Docs tab.
