From Dallas to the World: How Swin City Is Changing the Game in Youth Sports

I recently had the chance to play in a Swin City league and was immediately struck by the experience that founder Tony Swindle has built. It wasn’t your average pickup game with a few people in the stands and players reliving their glory days. Every detail—from the aesthetics to the operations—felt intentional, creating a fun, safe, and inspiring environment for the community. That led me to learn more about the story behind the brand. After sitting down with Tony, it became clear: he’s not just building a brand. He’s building a movement. And it’s easy to see why Swin City is quickly becoming a household name in Dallas-Fort Worth—and beyond.

The Birth of Swin City

Tony’s been around the game for years, but Swin City officially came to life in 2018. “The DFW area has always been rich with basketball talent,” Tony told me. “We’ve had players go to the NBA, overseas, and dominate at every college level—even in the NCCAA, which is the National Christian Collegiate Athletic Association.” But Swin City wasn’t created just to be another basketball program. It was designed to elevate the game—to provide a space where athletes at every level could come together, grow, and be inspired.

A Pipeline From 3rd Grade to Pro

One of the things that makes Swin City unique is its full-spectrum development model—from third graders to pro athletes. As Tony talked about how the league supports such a wide range of players, I had to ask: “How do you manage that?” “It’s all about inspiration. If a third grader can watch a middle schooler, who watches a high schooler, who watches a college athlete, who watches a pro—then everyone is motivated to reach that next level.” That inspiration creates a powerful ripple effect. It’s more than a league—it’s a layered, living system that promotes mentorship, progression, and unity.

More Than Basketball

Swin City isn’t just developing athletes—it’s developing whole people. The organization includes:

• A basketball magazine
• Youth leagues and development programs
• Life skills workshops in tech, engineering, and leadership
• Philanthropy education for student-athletes

“We’re not just developing hoopers,” Tony said. “We’re developing thinkers—kids who can imagine, problem-solve, and lead.” And they’re expanding. Beyond basketball, Swin City now supports football, baseball, and volleyball—with more sports “coming out the oven,” as Tony puts it.

Local Roots, Global Reach

While Swin City is proudly rooted in DFW, its impact already stretches across the globe. The organization has hosted exposure camps for young women in the U.S., Australia, China—and soon, Africa. “Investing in Africa is the future. We’re not just trying to grow locally—we’re building something global.” These camps don’t just focus on basketball—they teach life tools, leadership, and preparation for college-level competition. When I asked Tony what he believes is most important in an athlete’s development, his answer surprised me: imagination. “Sports are art. Math is art. It’s about how you create,” he said. “We teach our players to think like chess masters—always a few steps ahead.” It’s that creative approach to development that fuels everything Swin City stands for.

Swin City x Ballogy: A New Tech Partnership

With growth comes innovation, and Swin City’s partnership with Ballogy shows just how forward-thinking they are. “I’m a tech guy,” Tony said. “Ballogy just made sense. It helps us stay connected to our players, parents, and coaches. We can assign workouts and track progress—even remotely.” Now, even when athletes aren’t physically at practice, they can still train through guided video assignments and performance tracking in the Ballogy app.

What’s Next?

In five years, Tony wants Swin City to be as recognizable as a Michael Jackson concert. Bold? Sure. But given its trajectory, not far-fetched. “We’re already a trusted name in a lot of circles,” he said. “I want Swin City to be synonymous with elite development and global impact.” And he left me with one parting metaphor that sums it all up:

“Jump off the cliff and worry about the fall later.”

His advice to aspiring leaders: don’t wait for perfect. Take action, ask questions, surround yourself with the right people—and lead with boldness.