The 'No Headers/No Brainer' campaign championed by Brandi Chastain took another step forward. The U.S. Soccer Federation announced a player safety campaign that eliminates heading for children 10 and under, and limits heading in practice for ages of 11 to 13. The settlement affects all levels of play from U-18 down, starting December 2015.

In an effort to lure more youth sports teams - and the spectators they bring - to the shores of Lake Erie in Ohio, Erie County commissioners recently signed a deal with park developer Cedar Fair to build a proposed $24 million sports complex center in Sandusky, Ohio on Cleveland Road.

The fun runs, benefit bicycle rides and charity walks streaming through Denver's parks weren't considered fun, charitable or beneficial to those living near the parks, and those folks complained to their local officials. As a result, the town drew a hard line, putting a complete moratorium on new events, specifically runs, walks and bicycle races.

The Internet of Things might become the Internet of the Olympic Rings. Japan is planning to use the 2020 Games in Tokyo to show the world it's still a tech leader. And one of those demos could attract as much attention as anything playing out in a pool, a gym or on a field.

Mobile payment transactions, meaning using the smartphone to pay for just about anything, are expected to explode in popularity. In fact, the total value of mobile payment transactions is expected to grow 210 percent in 2016. And for event organizers, that translates into an easy choice: Keep up or get left behind.