#224 How Cris Collinsworth Made Millions Buying Pro Football Focus
Nov 2, 2023
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Discover how Cris Collinsworth made millions by buying Pro Football Focus, a leader in football analytics used on NBC's Sunday Night Football. Explore the company's rapid rise, revenue streams, and expansion into college football analysis. Learn about the challenges and growth under new ownership, including strategic moves into fantasy football and sports betting markets.
PFF revolutionized football analytics by guaranteeing evaluations of every play and player.
Despite financial challenges, PFF has expanded its business into untapped markets like soccer and rugby.
Deep dives
Pro Football Focus: Evolution and Growth
Pro Football Focus, commonly known as PFF, has become a prominent name in football analytics, working with all 32 NFL teams and over 150 college football teams. The company, valued at $160 million in 2021, has undergone significant changes in recent years. Despite financial ups and downs, including layoffs and fundraising, PFF has emerged as a key player in the world of football analytics.
PFF's Origins and Breakthrough
PFF's journey began in 2007 when founder Neil Hornsby, with a background in physics and a passion for American football, launched the company to revolutionize scouting and analysis using NFL game film. Initially facing slow growth, PFF differentiated itself by guaranteeing evaluations of every play and player throughout the NFL season. Their meticulous approach gained traction amongst NFL analysts, fantasy football enthusiasts, and even attracted the attention of the New York Giants, paving the way for significant partnerships.
PFF's Business Model and Future Prospects
PFF's business model consists of professional services, subscriptions, and content creation, catering to NFL and college football teams, agents, media, and fans. With over 3.6 million social media followers and collaborative efforts with NBC's Sunday Night Football, PFF has solidified its presence in the industry. Despite recent challenges like layoffs and key personnel departures, PFF remains optimistic about expanding into untapped markets like soccer and rugby, driven by the growing demand for data in sports.
Pro Football Focus (PFF) has become the go-to name in football analytics. The company is owned and run by NBC color commentator and former NFL receiver Cris Collinsworth, is featured on NBC’s Sunday Night Football, and is the center of weekly fan debates over its player grades during football season. This podcast will break down the money and business behind PFF, including its founding, its fast rise in the world of football, and where the business stands today. Enjoy!