Don’t Fire Them Yet: They Might Be the Key to Winning With AI
3 Min Read
30% of Your Team Might Be Irrelevant by Next Year. Here’s How to Know Who to Keep, Who to Let Go, and Who to Fight For.
Who’s Actually Worth Keeping on Your Team in the Age of AI?
You’ve got a team. A payroll. A mission.
But let’s put the nice talk aside for a second:
Do you really know who’s still worth their spot?
In 2025, not every “top talent” is built for what’s coming next.
And not every overlooked name is disposable.
AI isn’t some distant horizon. It’s already here, rewriting job roles, shifting expectations, and quietly testing the real value of everyone on your roster.
And the worst thing you can do now?
Treat everyone like they’re still playing by last season’s rules.
The Truth No One’s Saying Out Loud
You’re probably paying good money to people who:
- Follow instructions
- Hit deadlines
- Stay busy
But here’s the gut check:
If they can’t solve problems that GPT can’t, you’re overpaying.
This isn’t about who’s “smart” or “loyal.”
It’s about who’s irreplaceable.
And just like in sports, AI is forcing every leader to figure out who’s a franchise player… and who’s just filling a jersey.
The 3 Types of People You’re Managing Right Now
| Type | Risk Level | What to Look For | What To Do |
| The Operator | High | Gets things done, stays in their lane, never asks “why.” | Don’t renew. Be clear. |
| The Sleeper Giant | Medium | Trusted, knows the playbook, but stuck in yesterday’s tactics. | Invest hard. Wake them up. |
| The Quiet Killer | Low | Already using AI, already solving, doesn’t need permission. | Promote. Multiply their impact. |
Your Mid-Level Team Is Fading in Plain Sight
Let’s talk about the people who hold your operation together:
Your Heads of Marketing, Ops, Digital, Data.
The managers. The glue. The ones who’ve been through five seasons and two crises with you.
They know your fans, your culture, your identity.
And yet they’re the ones at the highest risk right now.
Why?
Because they’re not “tech natives.”
They’re not “strategy setters.”
They’re caught in a system that expects them to innovate without giving them the tools.
So they grind harder. They try to stay relevant.
But inside, they’re thinking:
“If I don’t figure out this AI thing soon, I’m done. And no one’s coaching me.”
They’re not lazy. They’re not broken.
They’re just stuck in the middle of a shift no one prepared them for.
And if you let them go quietly, you’re not just losing a player.
You’re losing locker-room chemistry, experience, and the DNA that holds your organization together.
So What Does a Real Leader Do in 2025?
Forget flashy signings. Forget AI theater.
Do the hard, human work: evaluate your team and bet on the right players.
Step 1: Run a “People vs. Prompts” Audit
Ask yourself:
- Who solves problems without being asked?
- Who’s testing AI tools to improve your performance?
- Who’s still doing the “busy work” that ChatGPT can already automate?
Step 2: Spot the Coachable Middle
There are mid-level managers in your organization who:
- Know your playbook inside out
- Want to grow, but aren’t sure how in this new era
- Are one good project away from becoming your secret weapon
Don’t replace them. Reboot them.
Step 3: Launch a 90-Day Relevance Sprint
Skip the endless presentations.
Get hands-on with real tools, real challenges, and real execution.
Show them they can play with AI and you’ll never have to push again.
The Bottom Line: Don’t Fire Everyone.
Fight for the ones who can win with you.
Yes, AI is pushing every organization to be leaner.
Yes, you can do more with less.
But the goal isn’t to have fewer people.
It’s to have the right people.
The teams that win in 2026 won’t be the biggest.
They’ll be the smartest, fastest, and most adaptive.
They’ll look like great teams always do:
Strong chemistry. Clear strategy. Relentless execution.
It’s on you to spot who’s ready to step up and who’s just waiting for halftime.
So go.
Start making the calls that matter.
You’ve still got time, but not for long.
Want to Go Deeper?
At HYPE Sports Innovation, we help sports organizations build AI-ready teams, not just AI-ready strategies.
From leagues and clubs to federations and tech startups, we work with sports leaders who are ready to turn AI from a buzzword into a competitive edge.
To learn more about the AI Readiness Session, je******@hy******************.com&subject=Request%20to%20Book%20an%20AI%20Readiness%20Session”>email me.
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