Four multi-sport games, four different organizations and one common goal: survival. The World Mind Sports Games, World Combat Games, World Urban Games and World Beach Games have all set ambitious agendas and made plans, only to have to rescind them. The question: how much can the sports market bear?

Want a glimpse of the future? Look to Tokyo's 2020 Olympics where a few new events proposed for the Games may be instrumental in changing the landscape of sports events in years to come. Want a hint? How about male/female synchronized swimming and mixed gender team racing in cycling?

It happened last week, while everyone was distracted by the Easter holidays and tax day. But even though it happened quietly, the first-ever girls' baseball tournament at MLB Youth Academy in Los Angeles could open the door for more girls and for savvy planners who can harness the momentum.

The NHL just put the Winter Olympics on ice. The announcement ended a long debate about whether the league would allow its players to skate for their native countries at the 2018 Winter Olympics in PyeongChang, South Korea. Next question: How it will affect college, local and regional hockey.

When Washington, D.C., is named a finalist for hosting the 2022 Gay Games... when the National Soccer Coaches Association of America lunches an online course on the inclusion of LGBT athletes... when professional U.S. sports leagues are sponsoring pride nights... the travel market needs to be ready to help out.

Here we are in the middle of National Park Week and celebrating more than 100 years of protecting and preserving the nation's parks and monuments. Got any sports events planned for the trails, hills or other park facilities? You may be able to leverage them for extra mileage, media-wise.