The Profluence Pod 🌐

Izell Reese is the CEO of RCX Sports, a youth-sports experiences business working with professional leagues, national governing bodies, and brands to reimagine accessibility and participation in sports. Under his leadership, RCX has become the official operating partner of NFL FLAG, NBA Jr. League, MLB Pitch, Hit & Run, and other grassroots programs that introduce millions of young athletes to sports each year.With a background as a former NFL player and now as one of the most influential executives in youth sports, Izell is dedicated to expanding opportunities for kids at every level. His vision emphasizes inclusion, character development, and pathways that connect community-based programs to high school, collegiate, and even professional opportunities. By aligning leagues, brands, and governing bodies around scalable, youth-first models, he’s helping to transform the future of sports participation in America.RCX Sports is not just about leagues—it’s about access, equity, and long-term growth. With initiatives that reduce barriers to entry and connect kids with positive experiences on and off the field, Reese is driving a movement to make sports a more inclusive and sustainable part of the youth experience.Chapters: 01:28 – Izell’s Journey from NFL Player to Sports Executive 04:45 – Building RCX Sports into a National Leader 08:56 – Partnerships with the NFL, NBA, and MLB 12:19 – Expanding Access and Equity in Youth Sports 16:42 – Creating Pathways Beyond the Game 20:11 – The Role of Brands and Governing Bodies 23:37 – Scaling Grassroots Programs Nationwide 27:50 – The Future of Youth Sports ParticipIzell Reese: 🏠Website: https://rcxsports.com/💼LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/izell-reese-2a597b11Scott Garber: 🏠 Website: https://profluence.com/ 💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sgarber40/Thanks for listening! Hit the “follow” button to stay updated on new podcasts.

Brent Richard is the CEO of IMG Academy, the world leader in sports education, and Drew Weatherford is a Founding Partner at Weatherford Capital, a private investment firm focused on growth equity in rapidly growing technology and technology-enabled businesses with a business-to-business (B2B) or business-to-government (B2G) focus, as well as those operating in highly regulated industries. Together, they are leading Project Add More Athletes—an initiative to expand roster spots in college sports and create more opportunities for youth athletes to compete and develop at the next level.Across IMG Academy’s on-campus and online programs, its student-athletes fill roughly 25% of all college freshman roster spots annually, making it one of the most influential organizations in youth sports. Brent and Drew are advocating for structural changes in the NCAA system—such as bringing back JV teams, allowing multi-division programs in the same sport, and building participation-based models proven at IMG—to meet the growing demand from the 8 million high school athletes in the U.S., of whom only 500,000 currently get a roster spot.Project Add More Athletes is more than a policy push—it’s a movement to reimagine the pathway from youth to collegiate athletics. With strategic deregulation, universities could increase athlete participation, strengthen Olympic and non-revenue sports, and enhance the student experience—all while driving enrollment and community engagement.Chapters:01:36 – Understanding the Landscape of Youth Sports04:11 – Catalysts for Change in College Sports08:31 – Proposed Framework for Expanding Opportunities13:26 – Navigating Deregulation in College Sports17:34 – Vision for the Future of Youth Athletics20:24 – Introduction to Athlete Inclusion22:51 – Community Engagement and Feedback25:36 – Future Directions and Strategic ConversationsBrent Richard & Drew Weatherford: 🏠Website:💼 LinkedIn: Andrew Petcash & Scott Garber: 🏠 Website: https://profluence.com🐣 Twitter: https://twitter.com/andrewpetcash💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewpetcash/https://www.linkedin.com/in/sgarber40/Thanks for listening! Hit the “follow” button to stay updated on new podcasts.

Samuel Westberg is the Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of LaSource, a sports consulting agency helping sports tech companies, startups, and media organizations grow and adapt in a rapidly evolving industry. With a decade of experience in sports—beginning with a professional football team and moving into business development roles across sports tech and digital startups—Samuel has built an extensive global network of rights holders, broadcasters, media companies, and clubs. His unique perspective bridges the gap between innovation and the traditional sports ecosystem.LaSource works with sports tech and SaaS companies to refine their business development and marketing strategies, enabling them to penetrate the European market and expand their client base. They also partner with sports and media organizations to anticipate industry shifts, develop forward-looking strategies, and drive revenue growth. By connecting technology providers with sports and entertainment stakeholders, LaSource helps shape the future of fan engagement, media rights, and digital innovation in sports.An interesting fact about LaSource is their ability to merge top-tier consulting expertise with deep sector knowledge in data, digital technologies, and media rights—creating a unique platform where sports tech companies, media players, and rights holders can collaborate to accelerate growth and innovation.Chapters:02:38 – The Evolution of Sports Tech in Europe05:22 – Navigating the Global Sports Tech Landscape08:15 – The Role of VR and AR in Fan Engagement10:53 – Youth Sports and Technology Trends13:47 – Finding Innovative Technologies in Sports16:37 – Building a Sustainable Sports Tech Agency19:16 – Staying Informed in the Sports Tech IndustryThanks for listening! Hit the “follow” button to stay updated on new podcasts.

Mohit Pareek, Partner at Drake Star, a FINRA-registered broker-dealer and global investment bank that focuses on tech and digital media. With over 500 transactions completed since 2003, Drake Star operates across key financial hubs including New York, London, Munich, and Dubai, serving high-growth sectors such as Software/SaaS, FinTech, Mobility, Consumer Tech, and Digital Media. Mohit brings a sharp perspective on deal-making, strategic exits, and how founders can position themselves for acquisition or investment in today’s competitive landscape.Drake Star’s unique strength lies in its global reach and deep sector expertise, enabling them to support founders from early-stage fundraising to multi-billion-dollar exits. Mohit has played a key role in leading cross-border transactions and advising fast-scaling tech companies, particularly in areas like HR Tech, Industrial Tech, and Sustainability. With capital markets evolving and innovation reshaping industries, Mohit shares actionable insights on navigating the complex world of tech M&A and what founders need to know to stand out.An interesting fact about Drake Star is that despite being a boutique firm, its global footprint and hands-on advisory model have earned it recognition as an award-winning investment bank, bridging the gap between high-growth companies and world-class investors across continents.Chapters: 01:00 – Introduction to Sports Tech and Investment Banking 02:23 – Market Overview: M&A Activity and Financing Trends 10:10 – Youth Sports: Investment Opportunities and Growth 16:24 – Capital Flow in Sports and Media Investments 21:37 – Public Market Recovery and Future OutlookMohit Pareek: 🏠Website: https://www.drakestar.com/💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mohitpareek/Andrew Petcash:🏠 Website: https://profluence.com🐣 Twitter: https://twitter.com/andrewpetcash💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewpetcash/Thanks for listening! Hit the “follow” button to stay updated on new podcasts.

Kickback Soccer Media is a groundbreaking new media company founded by leading voices in American soccer. With the 2026 World Cup approaching, Kickback is on a mission to turn the moment into a movement—capturing casual viewers, creating culture, and redefining what it means to be a soccer fan in the U.S. Through three distinct platforms—Soccerwise for traditional coverage, Kickback Committee for creator-led content, and First Touch for fan engagement—the company is bridging the gap between insiders and new supporters. With a 3% pledge of gross revenue committed to growing the game through inclusivity and accessibility, Kickback is aiming for long-term impact beyond the final whistle.Founded by John Parker alongside trusted voices like Tom Bogert, David Gass, and Jordan Angeli, Kickback has also partnered with Bluesky to lead the digital conversation around U.S. soccer. With bold plans and a deep understanding of the sport’s cultural landscape, Kickback Soccer Media is building a soccer media company that speaks to—and with—the American fanbase.Chapters: 01:23 John Parker's Soccer Origin Story04:10 Evolution of Youth Development in Soccer06:50 Kickback Soccer Media: Vision and Mission10:12 Strategies for Engaging New Fans15:55 Community-Driven Content Creation18:44 3% Pledge: Investing in Community Initiatives22:19 Defining American Soccer Culture25:27 The Global Connection of Soccer28:44 Bold Predictions for U.S. Soccer's FutureJohn Parker: 🏠Website: https://kickbacksoccer.com/💼LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-parker-b4b47a4b/Scott Garber: 🏠 Website: https://profluence.com 💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sgarber40/Thanks for listening! Hit the “follow” button to stay updated on new podcasts.

Erik Minnick is a General Partner at Versus Ventures, a pre-seed and seed-stage fund investing in the future of sports tech, gaming, and fintech.A former D1 wrestler turned developer and investor, Erik brings a rare mix of technical depth, competitive grit, and operator empathy to the table. Before co-founding Versus, he served as CIO at Andover Ventures, gaining experience on both sides of the startup-investor relationship.In this episode, Erik shares what Versus looks for in early-stage founders, the trends he’s watching across the sports innovation landscape, and the most common pitfalls startups face when raising capital. We also talk about the shifting dynamics in college athletics, the role of AI in the sports stack, how to craft a winning investor pitch, and where he sees the next breakout opportunities.Chapters:01:32 Changes in Wrestling and Sports Ecosystem04:14 Overview of Versus and Investment Strategies07:14 Understanding Venture Capital Decision-Making10:00 The Role of AI in Sports Tech12:23 Due Diligence in Early-Stage Investments14:01 Common Mistakes Founders Make15:34 Concerns in College Sports Funding20:06 Opportunities in College Sports22:01 Navigating the Future of College Athletics25:21 Understanding Market Dynamics and KPIs26:59 Engagement with Founders Post-Investment30:50 Investment Thesis: Gaming, Sports Tech, and Fintech34:00 Building Incentive Networks in Sports Tech37:06 The Art of Storytelling in Capital Raising41:01 Navigating SAFE vs. Price Rounds43:28 Connecting with Fans: The Team Owner's PerspectiveErik Minnick: 🏠Website: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eric-minnick-12652340/💼 LinkedIn: https://www.versusvc.com/Andrew Petcash:🏠 Website: https://profluence.com🐣 Twitter: https://twitter.com/andrewpetcash💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewpetcash/Thanks for watching! Hit the “subscribe” button to stay updated on new podcasts.

Paul Rigault is the CEO and co-founder of the Døds Diving League and Døds Federation, the global governing bodies behind one of the world’s fastest-growing extreme sports: Døds diving.Originating in Norway, Døds—short for “Death Diving”—combines high diving with the flair of skateboarding and parkour. With massive splashes, aerial tricks, and fearless athletes, it’s become a viral hit among Gen Z and Gen Alpha.In this episode, Paul shares how the sport went from a niche Norwegian pastime to a global phenomenon, what it takes to host a Døds event, and how they’re building the future of extreme sports.Chapters:02:30 The Evolution of Diving 2.005:13 Competition Structure and Athlete Selection08:01 Building the League in the U.S.10:38 Monetization and Business Model13:19 Event Experience and Community Engagement16:01 Technology and Media Production18:47 Future Trends and Community FocusPaul Rigault: 🏠Website: https://dodsdivingleague.com/Andrew Petcash:🏠 Website: https://profluence.com🐣 Twitter: https://twitter.com/andrewpetcash💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewpetcash/Thanks for listening! Hit the “follow” button to stay updated on new podcasts.

Dr. Scott Goldman is a high performance and clinical psychologist with 25+ years of experience working with elite athletes and organizations in the NBA, NFL, MLB, and NCAA. His expertise extends across performance psychology, talent development, and organizational dynamics. He’s also been a key advisor to the NCAA, co-authoring several mental health best practices and serving on its Mental Health Task Force. He holds fellow status with both the American Psychological Association and the Association for Applied Sport Psychology, and has trained under Albert Ellis, creator of Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy.Dr. Goldman is the founder of AIQ+, a cutting-edge platform that combines decades of psychological insights with AI to assess and predict athletic intelligence. AIQ+ provides front offices, coaches, and players with instant, actionable data to improve talent acquisition, development, and performance. Designed to work alongside traditional evaluation tools, it helps teams identify trainability, mental agility, and decision-making under pressure—traits that often separate good athletes from great ones.Chapters: 00:56 The Birth of AIQ: Merging Psychology and Sports 02:04 Understanding Athletic Intelligence Quotient (AIQ) 04:48 What Separates Good Athletes from Great Ones? 09:42 The Trainability of Mental Skills in Athletes 13:06 Misunderstandings in Athlete Cognitive Makeup 16:24 Using AIQ for Talent Selection and Development 20:11 Transferability of AIQ Beyond Sports 22:20 AIQ vs. Traditional Testing Methods 24:54 Leveraging AI and Data for Deeper Insights 28:07 The Future of AIQ and Its Expansion 31:43 Intelligent Athletes: Case Studies and Insights Scott Goldman: 🏠Website: https://aiq.team/💼LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottgoldmanphd/Scott Garber: 🏠 Website: https://profluence.com 💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sgarber40/Thanks for listening! Hit the “follow” button to stay updated on new podcasts.

Jonas Mårtensson is the General Manager of Cleeks Golf Club, a team in the LIV Golf League. With a background as the former CEO of Mojang Studios (the creators of Minecraft) and co-founder of Happy Socks, Jonas brings deep experience in global brand building, consumer engagement, and innovation. Now, he’s applying that expertise to the world of professional golf.Cleeks Golf Club is more than a team — it’s a bold vision for the future of the sport. Rooted in tradition yet driven by creativity, the club blends golf, fashion, art, and music to inspire the next generation of fans. Their mission is to celebrate the game’s legacy while reshaping its future — a “Tradition Refreshed."LIV Golf itself is reshaping the professional landscape with a high-energy team format, player transfers, and global competition. With 13 teams competing across the season, it’s creating new rivalries, fan experiences, and media opportunities in a way traditional tours haven’t seen.Chapters: 03:30 Understanding Liv Golf's Structure and Team Dynamics06:39 Building a Brand in Golf: The Cliques Approach09:48 Trends in Golf Fashion and Consumer Identity13:01 Leveraging the Liv Golf Platform for Brand Growth16:12 Future Aspirations and Broader Sports TrendsJonas Mårtensson: 🏠Website: https://www.livgolf.com/ https://www.livgolf.com/cleeks-gc💼LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonas-m%C3%A5rtensson-28815712/ original_referer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww%2Egoogle%2Ecom%2F&originalSubdomain=seAndrew Petcash:🏠 Website: https://profluence.com🐣 Twitter: https://twitter.com/andrewpetcash💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewpetcash/Thanks for listening! Hit the “follow” button to stay updated on new podcasts.

Anthony Dittmann is a master of reimagining live sports. With over 25 years producing televised events for ESPN, the NFL, and NBC, he’s now channeling that expertise into the creation of an entirely new sport: OmegaBall. Combining innovation, speed, and spectacle, OmegaBall throws out traditional soccer rules in favor of a high-energy, three-team format built for the next generation of fans. From the red carpet at the ESPYs to launching his own league, Anthony shares the story behind OmegaBall’s creation, how his background in event production helped bring it to life, and why he believes this could be the next big thing in global sports entertainment. OmegaBall is headed to the national stage with its biggest moment yet — the 2025 OmegaBall World Invitational airing live on ESPN2 from Disney’s Wide World of Sports on August 1st.Chapters: 00:57 The Concept Behind Omega Ball02:40 The Evolution of Omega Ball05:40 Player Demographics and Recruitment06:57 Business Model and Future Growth09:36 Education and Market Awareness12:40 Creating a Compelling TV Product15:25 Reception from Traditional Soccer Community17:29 Technology and Future OpportunitiesAnthony Dittmann: 🏠Website: https://omegaball.com/💼LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anthony-dittmann-a0037386/Andrew Petcash:🏠 Website: https://profluence.com🐣 Twitter: https://twitter.com/andrewpetcash💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewpetcash/Thanks for watching! Hit the “subscribe” button to stay updated on new podcasts.