The Profluence Pod 🌐

Pete Nakos is a leading College Sports Business Reporter at On3 Sports, where he covers the evolving landscape of NIL, the transfer portal, and private equity's impact on college athletics. On3 is a premier sports media and technology company dedicated to delivering trusted news, analysis, and data across youth, high school, and college sports. Since its launch in 2021, On3 has played a crucia...

The Future of Sports Coverage is Here! Today's guest is David Shapiro, and we’re diving into how Pixellot has become the biggest sports production platform in the world! 🏟️ 40,000+ venues 📺 1.3 million games streamed per year 🔥 5,000 games produced simultaneously—all powered by AI! David Shapiro has spent nearly two decades shaping the youth sports industry. He was the CEO of Steel Sports and pl...

INTENNSE is redefining professional team tennis with a fresh approach to competition, player engagement, and expansion. With $4M already secured and plans for a Friends & Family round and a formal raise in 2025, CEO Charles Allen is building a sustainable, fan-first league backed by strategic partnerships and smart capital allocation. Charles’ journey is anything but conventional. From studyin...

Maxx MGMT, founded in 2018, is a boutique agency disrupting the athlete representation industry by offering tailored, off-the-field management services. From endorsements and marketing to lifestyle and business opportunities, Maxx MGMT connects its clients with global brands while helping them explore equity deals, real estate, and diversified partnerships. The agency’s mission is to provide 24/7...

This month’s panel explored the evolving trend of multi-club ownership in sports—a transformative model shaping the future of sports investments. The discussion delved into opportunities, challenges, and strategic insights in this dynamic space. Key topics included the rise of alternative leagues, the influence of celebrities in ownership, real estate and stadium development, and sustainability in...

Founded in 2018 to streamline the connection between sports events and host venues, Playeasy has grown into the leading sports tourism platform in the United States. Today, it connects over 300 cities, 14,000 sports facilities, 5,000 sports events, 20,000 restaurants and attractions, and 13,000 hotels. Playeasy supports destinations, event operators, and visitors at every stage of the sports touri...

Brendan Doyle, President of US Sports Camps (USSC), has been at the forefront of youth sports in the USA for over 30 years. A seasoned leader with deep roots in the soccer industry, Brendan oversees the largest sports camp network in America and the licensed provider of Nike Sports Camps. Since 1975, USSC has been dedicated to fostering a lifelong love of athletics through high-quality sports educ...

Vasu Kulkarni, the self-proclaimed biggest basketball fan in the world, turned his passion for the game into a groundbreaking career. After playing on the JV Basketball squad at the University of Pennsylvania, where he also earned a BS in Engineering, Vasu founded Krossover, a sports analytics company that sold video and data tools to sports teams globally. Pioneering the industry, Vasu eventually...

Full Pull Entertainment was founded in 2021 to transform the niche sport of truck and tractor pulling. Co-founded by Chase Richardson, a passionate entrepreneur, the company is reshaping the pulling experience with innovative fan engagement platforms, a cutting-edge content portal, and Real Money Gaming initiatives. Through partnerships with leading organizations in the pulling space, Full Pull is...

SailGP was founded in 2019 by Oracle’s Larry Ellison and legendary sailor Sir Russell Coutts to bring the excitement of high-performance sailing to mainstream audiences. Known as "The F1 of the Water," SailGP features 10 national teams racing F50 foiling catamarans at speeds of up to 60 mph in stadium-style events near shorelines worldwide. Mike Buckley, a two-time world champion sailor, is the CE...

Shamrock Capital recently closed $1.6B for its sixth flagship fund and inaugural small cap fund to continue investing across sports media and entertainment. Shamrock Capital, with over 45 years of deep sector expertise, is a premier private equity firm specializing in media, entertainment, sports, content, communication, and education. Built on legendary roots and a reputation for excellence, Sham...

Matt Joyce, a 17-year professional baseball player, made his mark in Major League Baseball with 14 seasons, most notably with the Tampa Bay Rays. A 2011 MLB All-Star, Matt earned a reputation as a consistent and versatile outfielder during his career from 2008 to 2021. Now retired from professional baseball, Matt has seamlessly transitioned into the business world. He is the owner and operator of...

Graham Leveston, Co-Founder of College Properties Group (CPG), is redefining athlete experiences through world-class event management and brand development. With over 25 years of leadership experience, Graham has earned recognition for his expertise in strategy, brand marketing, and operations. During his 20+ years at Nike, Graham held senior roles in sales, licensing, marketing, and product devel...

i9 Sports®, under the leadership of Matt Kurowski, is America’s leading multi-sport league provider, known for its innovative approach to youth sports. With programs for kids ages 3 to 14, i9 Sports emphasizes fun, convenience, and sportsmanship, helping children succeed in life through sports. The organization recently celebrated 5 million player registrations and was recognized as one of the Mos...

Five Iron Golf began in 2017 as a bold venture to transform how people experience golf in urban settings. Combining cutting-edge technology with a welcoming, inclusive atmosphere, Five Iron Golf quickly became a hub for both serious players and casual enthusiasts, offering simulators, lessons, food, drinks, and entertainment in a social environment. The company’s unique blend of hospitality and hi...

Old Tom Capital is an early-stage investment group dedicated to fostering innovation and growth within the golf industry. By combining decades of entrepreneurial experience with hands-on mentorship, Old Tom Capital supports startups in redefining the future of golf through strategic investments. The golf industry is evolving rapidly, attracting new audiences and creating opportunities in content,...

Sports Facilities Companies (SFC) is the largest network of tournament and community-based sports facilities in the U.S., hosting over 25 million annual visits and delivering $250 million in direct annual economic impact. With a focus on feasibility studies, financial modeling, and destination development, SFC plays a pivotal role in enhancing community development through sports. Under Jason Clem...

GMTM (pronounced Gametime) is a social network connecting athletes, organizations, and brands to maximize opportunities. By offering tools to increase reach and engagement, GMTM ensures equitable access for athletes to share their stories and pursue their goals. The platform works with partners like DIII colleges, National Governing Bodies, NFL teams, and brands such as Sports Illustrated. It’s he...

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 compan...

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 l...

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 i...

The Aspen Institute’s 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 Play’s campaigns, like...

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 Men’s Health as a TOP 30 Gym. D1’s success is rooted in Will’s journey as a multi-sport All-State athlete and captain of Tennessee’s 1998 National Championship...

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 sport’s professional scene, organizing premier events that highlight top...

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 Academy’s 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 comm...