Adeel Yang, MD, Co-founder and CEO of Dryvebox, is reshaping the game of golf by making it more accessible to everyone, regardless of age or skill level. Dryvebox is a unique mobile golf experience that brings the game directly to communities, allowing people to improve their swing, have fun, and engage with golf in new ways. Adeel is also the Co-founder and CEO of Medumo, a healthcare tech company acquired by Philips, and Co-founder of Picmonic, an education platform focused on visual storytell...
Nov 20, 2024â˘31 minâ˘Ep. 179
SPORTIME Pickleball LLC is transforming the pickleball landscape, combining state-of-the-art facilities with decades of expertise in racket sports. A joint venture between SPORTIME Clubs, the leading operator of racket sports facilities in the Northeast, and Hornig Capital Partners (HCP), the company plans to open more than a dozen dedicated pickleball centers by 2027, starting with its flagship location in Armonk, NY, in 2024. Daren Hornig, Principal of SPORTIME Pickleball and Managing Partner ...
Nov 18, 2024â˘33 minâ˘Ep. 182
Founded in 2018, Branded is a modern communications agency disrupting traditional marketing by bringing a newsroom-style pace to brand strategy. With a focus on elevating brand presence across digital channels, Branded empowers its clients to increase visibility, drive influence, and achieve measurable results. Their approach has led clients to secure business exits, boost revenue, and establish industry leadership. Seth Gruen and Jonathan Gluskin, co-founders of Branded, are pioneers in strateg...
Nov 13, 2024â˘31 minâ˘Ep. 181
The Aspen Instituteâs Sports & Society Program, founded by Tom Farrey, aims to improve communities through accessible youth sports. Through its Project Play initiative, launched in 2013, the program connects leaders across sectors to address the rising costs, exclusion, and injuries in youth sports, mobilizing over $60 million in grants for community initiatives. Project Playâs campaigns, like #DontRETIREKid , have sparked global attention and action to keep kids engaged in healthy, accessib...
Nov 11, 2024â˘30 minâ˘Ep. 180
D1 Sports Training was founded in 2001 by Will Bartholomew in Nashville, TN. Known for its elite, sports-based training, D1 has grown into one of the fastest-growing fitness companies with over 40 locations nationwide. It was recognized by Menâs Health as a TOP 30 Gym. D1âs success is rooted in Willâs journey as a multi-sport All-State athlete and captain of Tennesseeâs 1998 National Championship team. His leadership and passion for fitness helped D1 set new standards in the industry. Willâs imp...
Nov 06, 2024â˘26 minâ˘Ep. 179
Disc golf is a fast-growing sport that combines the precision of golf with the skill of disc throwing. Played in parks, forests, and open spaces, players aim to reach a target basket in the fewest throws, offering an accessible and nature-connected experience for fans and players alike. The Disc Golf Pro Tour (DGPT) leads the sportâs professional scene, organizing premier events that highlight top talent and engage a global audience. In recent years, DGPT has expanded rapidly, with events across...
Nov 04, 2024â˘30 minâ˘Ep. 178
TPH Academy provides a focused environment for student-athletes to Study, Train, and Play to their fullest potential. Combining accredited academics with hands-on, sport-specific training, TPH Academyâs holistic approach develops student-athletes both on and off the field, preparing them for long-term success. Since its founding, TPH Academy has consistently made an impact in the youth sports community, fostering student-athlete growth and achievement. TPH's innovative model ensures that student...
Oct 30, 2024â˘26 minâ˘Ep. 177
Unrivaled, led by President Alex and co-founded with WNBA stars Breanna Stewart and Napheesa Collier, launches in Miami in January 2025. The league will showcase 30 top women athletes in an exciting 3v3 format, aiming to captivate basketball fans worldwide. Alex also co-founded Through The Lens with Carmelo Anthony, a platform empowering athletes to build personal brands while retaining ownership. His work has supported athletes like Kyrie Irving and Candace Parker in expanding their influence. ...
Oct 28, 2024â˘22 minâ˘Ep. 176
This month's panel was around Youth Sports - we delved into the opportunities, challenges, and future insights shaping the youth sports industry, which is projected to reach $69.4 billion by 2030, growing at an annual rate of 9.20%. The panel discussed key issues such as rampant market fragmentation, high customer acquisition costs (CAC), limited monetization options, short time frames to capture athletes' attention, and an oversaturated market filled with both niche solutions and companies stru...
Oct 24, 2024â˘53 minâ˘Ep. 175
Players Health, founded by Tyrre Burks, is transforming youth sports by creating safer, more accessible environments for athletes. Focused on injury prevention, risk management, and safety solutions, the company helps sports organizations provide a better experience for young athletes, ensuring their well-being both on and off the field. Through initiatives like the Microgrant Campaign, Players Health has directly impacted youth sports by funding participation for underprivileged kids across the...
Oct 21, 2024â˘25 minâ˘Ep. 174
BatFast, led by Runish Gudhka, is transforming how athletes and fans experience sports through cutting-edge simulation technology. BatFast combines advanced hardwareâsuch as ball-throwing machines, actuators, and sensorsâwith machine learning algorithms, immersive graphics, and gamification modules to create world-class sports simulation products. From cricket to multiple sports, BatFast's technology is reshaping how sports training and entertainment are delivered to 21st-century consumers. Runi...
Oct 09, 2024â˘22 minâ˘Ep. 173
Amir Zonozi, CEO of Zoomph, is revolutionizing how sports, entertainment, and esports measure sponsorship value and audience engagement. With advanced analytics and real-time viewership insights, Zoomph empowers teams, leagues, and brands to make informed decisions across broadcast and social channels, setting the standard for quality analytics. Zoomphâs advanced features include industry-leading logo detection and rapid data delivery, trusted by major sports and entertainment partners. Their co...
Oct 07, 2024â˘33 minâ˘Ep. 172
Uplift Labs, co-founded by Sukemasa Kabayama, is breaking new ground in athlete performance and health using AI-powered movement analysis. Uplift's latest launch, the 'Uplift' app, uses a single iPhone camera to track and analyze user movements, making advanced technology previously reserved for professional athletes available to the everyday gym-goer. The app provides personalized training programs through a generative AI coach, helping to enhance mobility and prevent injuries. With major backi...
Oct 02, 2024â˘26 minâ˘Ep. 171
Nick Venson, founder and CEO of Swag Golf, is transforming the golf industry with his bold approach. Swag Golf is known for its limited-edition accessories and apparel, combining top-quality craftsmanship with unique designs that resonate with a passionate community of golf enthusiasts. Swag Golf began with four friends in a small 2,500-square-foot unit in Northbrook, Illinois, driven by the idea of creating badass putters and headcovers unlike anything the golf world had seen. Their success led...
Sep 30, 2024â˘21 minâ˘Ep. 170
Primanti Brothers, famous for its iconic French-fry-topped sandwiches, blends tradition with modern innovation to deliver a unique dining experience loved by generations. Since 1933, the brand has expanded across multiple locations, driven by strong customer loyalty, creative marketing, and ongoing digital transformation. At the helm is Adam Golomb, an award-winning marketing expert with over 20 years of experience. Recognized as one of the Most Influential Restaurant Executives, Adam leads the ...
Sep 25, 2024â˘21 minâ˘Ep. 169
BASport, founded by Bharath Rao, is revolutionizing the sports industry with a fresh and innovative approach to strategic investments. BASport focuses on more than just capital infusion, prioritizing meaningful connections with stakeholders and delivering tangible results. Their goal is to set new standards for growth and innovation across the sports landscape. Bharath Rao, a former coach at the National Cricket Academy, combines his on-field expertise with entrepreneurial vision, driving BASpor...
Sep 23, 2024â˘21 minâ˘Ep. 168
Indiana Sports Corp is a driving force behind the biggest sports events in Indiana, including the BigTen Football Championship, Olympic Swimming Trials, and the 2026 NCAA Final Four. The Indiana Sports Corp have led to over $4 billion in direct spending in the Indiana region since its inception. Patrick Talty is an experienced C-level sports executive having worked for the WWE, U.S. Bank Stadium, and Global Spectrum before joining the ISC. Chapters: (00:40) Patrick Talty intro (03:45) Understand...
Sep 18, 2024â˘28 minâ˘Ep. 167
League of Play is an innovative GenZ-focused sports league bridging the gap between creators and fans. After a successful pilot event, League of Play is expanding into a season format with live-streamed competitions featuring top creators. Viewers vote on distractions that affect the gameplay. Hank Leber is a serial entrepreneur from the ad agency world who founded Gigster before League of Play. Chapters: (01:05) Hank and League of Play backstory (03:05) Rise of the creator economy (06:15) Fundr...
Sep 16, 2024â˘34 minâ˘Ep. 166
The Nucleus Network is a network development agency that unlocks the power of connections through a vetted group of successful individuals and businesses. The company is led by Jake Fleshner and Michael Axman. Jake was previously the CRO of Dave Meltzer Enterprises, and Michael was the head of partnerships at Teleport. The Nucleus Networkâs core areas are fundraising/startup advisory, lead generation, and network development. Chapters: (00:50) The Nucleus Network intro (03:50) Power of connectio...
Sep 08, 2024â˘29 minâ˘Ep. 165
Investing heavily across sports and entertainment, Lauren Selig shares some deep insights with us today. Shake and Bake is a venture fund and advisory firm. Lauren Selig Lauren Selig is the founder of Shake and Bake Productions, Curiosity Ink, V.A.L.I.S., and Tangled Little Dragon. She is an advisor to Bold Capital, WETA, and the Ackerley Sports Group. Lauren has produced dozens of Academy and Emmy award-winning productions, including Hacksaw Ridge, Rocketman, and Wheel of Time. Chapters: (00:00...
Sep 04, 2024â˘27 minâ˘Ep. 164
With over 300+ locations sold, Pickleball Kingdom is one of the fastest-growing franchises in sports. Pickleball Kingdom is a holding company of pickleball facilities around the United States, serving players of all levels. Ace Rodrigues is a serial entrepreneur jumping into the business of pickleball after first discovering the game a few years ago. Chapters: (02:00) Discovering pickleball (05:45) Franchising model (09:55) Navigating real estate (12:35) Creating a player experience (15:00) Buil...
Sep 02, 2024â˘30 minâ˘Ep. 163
Quickly scaling over the last few years, GoRout has been transforming on-field communication, led by founder Mike Rolih. GoRout is the only system that combines on-field wearable technology and real-time playmaking software to help teams perfect their on-field communication. Mike played collegiate baseball and was the President of Mirro before founding Gorout in his garage. Chapters: (00:30) Mike Rolih background (05:50) Seeing GoRoutâs potential (08:00) Scaling the company (11:00) Overcoming re...
Aug 27, 2024â˘27 minâ˘Ep. 162
Rebranding to LEAD, Justin Driscoll is the principal overseeing the pre-seed investment fund out of Lake Nona. LEAD is a family of funds investing across all stages of venture. Prior to joining LEAD, he spent two years in an operational capacity at DS Sports and Magnus Group, a holding company that acquired youth sports event companies and built a ball-tracking technology platform. He is a former student-athlete who played baseball at Rollins College. Chapters: (00:20) Justin Driscoll intro (03:...
Aug 25, 2024â˘32 minâ˘Ep. 161
1st party data is reimagining the athletics landscape, and Adam Azor from Sportradar is at the forefront of it. Sportradar is one of the worldâs largest sports technology companies reimagining immersive experiences for sports fans and bettors. Adam Azor is an integrated marketer with experience from global to local recently being promoted to EVP at Sportradar. Chapters: (00:20) Adam Azor and Sportradar intro (02:15) Sportradarâs massive growth (06:05) EVP Global Marketing role (08:15) 1st-party ...
Aug 21, 2024â˘39 minâ˘Ep. 160
One of the largest early-stage investors in the world, Trey Bowles is currently the Managing Director of Techstars where he runs two accelerator programs: Techstars Anywhere and Techstars Physical Health Fort Worth. Techstars is a pre-seed investor providing early-stage entrepreneurs access to capital, mentorship, and other support. Some of Trey Bowlesâ other projects include InnoCity Partners, Dallas Entrepreneur Center, Dallas Innovation Alliance, Mayorâs Star Council, and other nonprofit orga...
Aug 19, 2024â˘42 minâ˘Ep. 159
Recently receiving investment from the NBA, NHL, and Profluence Capital, John Stewart is transforming sports at Fastbreak AI. Fastbreak AI brings the power of world-class, sports scheduling optimization featuring a robust and intuitive user experience for league setup, defining scheduling goals, metric reporting, schedule modification, and distribution. John Stewart sold his last company, MapAnything, to Salesforce in 2019. Chapters: (00:40) Building & exiting MapAnything (04:00) Opportunity...
Aug 14, 2024â˘29 minâ˘Ep. 158
With ownership in sports from grassroots to the pros and in nearly every niche, Jordan Gazdik breaks down the landscape for us. BENCHPLAYERS is a portfolio of sport-related assets, driven by partnerships with industry leaders at all levels of the ecosystem. Jordan Gazdik founded BENCHPLAYERS to help push forward sports by creating a better future through ownership. Chapters: (00:45) Jordanâs background (02:00) Current sports projects (04:20) Youth sports & NIL interest (09:00) Evaluating opp...
Aug 12, 2024â˘39 minâ˘Ep. 157
Padel is one of the fastest-growing sports in the world, and Ben Nichols saw this as a unique opportunity to build a PR firm for it. Padel 22 is a global padel-dedicated communications consultancy that helps organizations, rights holders, brands, events, players and other stakeholders tell their stories and be part of the sportâs expanding global footprint. Ben Nichols has nearly 20 years of experience running communications for the worldâs leading sports series, leagues, events, teams, leaders,...
Aug 07, 2024â˘32 minâ˘Ep. 156
Once the 35th-ranked female tennis player in the world, CiCi Bellis is now the founding partner of Cartan Capital. Cartan Capital is a venture capital firm focused on the sports and health technology markets â particularly Seed and Series A stage companies. At only 25 years old, CiCi Bellis is one of the youngest investors in sports. Chapters: (00:30) CiCiâs background (03:15) Tennis re-structuring (06:00) What classifies a pro tennis player (07:20) Opportunities in racquet sports (09:00) Evalua...
Aug 05, 2024â˘20 minâ˘Ep. 155
Quidich is revolutionizing the broadcasting experience having recently raised a Series A fundraising round with the company led by film entrepreneur Rahat Kulshreshtha. Quidich Innovation Labs was originally an aerial filmmaking company that has since evolved into a global technology leader in sports broadcasting. In addition to his entrepreneurial endeavors, Rahat Kulshreshtha is a founding member of the Drone Federation of India, where he currently serves as Chairperson, advocating for respons...
Jul 31, 2024â˘28 minâ˘Ep. 154
