The Profluence Pod 🌐

Johnny Grave, CEO of Major League Cricket, brings decades of global sports leadership to one of the fastest-growing professional leagues in the U.S. With a background leading Cricket West Indies and shaping international tournaments—including the 2024 Men's T20 World Cup—Grave is now focused on building the premier cricket ecosystem in America.Major League Cricket (MLC) is at a turning point. With growing fan bases, expanding city franchises, and cricket’s return to the Olympics in 2028, MLC is positioning itself as the gateway to the sport’s U.S. future. From player development to media rights and tech innovation, the league is bridging the gap between cricket's global heritage and its American potential.Formed with strong backing and ambitious vision, MLC enters its third season with momentum. Under Grave’s leadership, the league is not just aiming to grow cricket in America—it’s working to make it a cultural and commercial mainstay for generations to come.Chapters:00:00 – Introduction to Major League Cricket06:13 – Structure and Expansion of MLC12:11 – Player Composition and Talent Acquisition18:02 – Media Rights and Viewership24:02 – Technology and Future Trends in CricketJohnny Grave:🏠Website: https://www.majorleaguecricket.com/💼LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnny-grave-b0336526/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.

Taylor Meyer is a serial entrepreneur and the Managing Partner at Hyperspace Ventures. After successfully founding and exiting his first tech company while still a student-athlete, With advanced degrees from UNC and Harvard, his background blends deep technical knowledge with sharp business strategy.Hyperspace Ventures specializes in building web and mobile applications, digital infrastructure, and marketing systems, while also investing in early-stage companies across sports, consumer tech, and health. Recently, Hyperspace Ventures expanded its portfolio with a $6.8M investment into pickleball and emerging tech companies—marking a bold move into fast-growing cultural and digital trends.The firm also builds internal tools like Space Dial, Launch Deck, HyperHire, and The 42 Club, helping founders scale faster across operations, fundraising, hiring, and community building.Chapters: 01:00 – Introduction to Hyperspace Ventures05:33 – The Pickleball Phenomenon10:56 – Common Mistakes in Startup Founding15:59 – The Future of Technology and AITaylor Meyer: 🏠 Website: https://www.hyperspaceventures.com/💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/taylor-meyer/Andrew Petcash:🏠 Website: https://profluence.com🐣 Twitter: https://twitter.com/andrewpetcash💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewpetcash/

Marc Riccio, CEO of USA Lacrosse, brings decades of sports business experience from leadership roles at the New York Jets, Lagardère Sports, and more. Now leading the national governing body for lacrosse, he’s focused on expanding the sport’s reach, driving innovation, and strengthening its presence across the country.Lacrosse is one of the fastest-growing sports in the U.S., and USA Lacrosse plays a central role in that growth. With over $300 million invested into development since its founding, the organization supports everything from youth leagues to Team USA. With a focus on inclusion, coaching education, and new formats like Sixes, USA Lacrosse is shaping the sport’s next chapter.USA Lacrosse was created in 1998 through the merger of eight grassroots organizations. That collaborative spirit still drives the mission today—especially as the sport eyes future Olympic inclusion and new global audiences.Chapters: 01:01 – Marc Riccio's Journey to CEO03:26 – The Growth of Lacrosse in the U.S.05:29 – USA Lacrosse's Role in the Ecosystem08:01 – Training and Development for Sixes Lacrosse09:50 – Addressing Specialization in Youth Sports12:07 – Commercialization and Integrity of the Game16:56 – Future of Lacrosse in College and Beyond19:52 – Emerging Leagues and Their Impact22:26 – Decision-Making in a Data-Driven World25:18 – Legacy and the Future of Lacrosse28:07 – Personal Growth and MentorshipMarc Riccio: 🏠Website: https://www.usalacrosse.com/magazine💼LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcriccio21/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.

Brag House is reshaping the college gaming landscape by blending community, culture, and casual esports into one inclusive platform. Focused on the Gen Z experience, the platform empowers casual gamers to connect, compete, and grow—while giving brands an authentic way to engage a generation that values voice, identity, and experience over hype.LaVelle Juan, CEO and Co-Founder, brings a rare mix of athlete-driven grit and entrepreneurial innovation to Brag House’s mission. In this episode, he shares the company’s community-first approach, how language and identity drive connection, and why gaming is one of the most powerful tools to understand—and engage—the next generation.Chapters: 01:11 – LaVelle's Journey: From Athlete to Entrepreneur04:41 – Building Brag House: The Intersection of Sports and Gaming07:18 – Community-First Approach: Authentic Engagement with Gen Z11:21 – Innovative Activation Strategies for User Acquisition13:29 – The Power of Language and Community Identity17:15 – Monetizing Community: Balancing Authenticity and Revenue22:09 – Understanding Gen Z: Behavioral Insights and Market Trends26:22 – Future Vision: Expanding Brag House's Impact30:50 – Advice for Entrepreneurs: Lessons from the JourneyLaVelle Juan: 🏠Website: https://www.braghouse.com/💼LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lavell-juan-bh/Scott Garber: 🏠 Website: https://profluence.com 💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sgarber40/

Ed Moed is helping redefine how sports brands grow—with clarity, creativity, and cultural relevance. As CEO of Hot Paper Lantern and its sports-focused division, Digital Sport, he’s leading a new wave of brand strategy that goes beyond hype to deliver trust, meaning, and results.Ed shares what today’s most successful sports organizations and startups get right about storytelling, how to avoid “shiny object syndrome,” and why internal culture is just as important as external messaging. From athlete-led brands to venture-backed sports tech, this conversation dives into how brand clarity can accelerate growth in one of the fastest-evolving industries on the planet.Chapters02:39 – The Evolution of HPL in Sports05:37 – Market Research and Identifying Opportunities07:59 – The Importance of Storytelling in Business10:54 – Navigating Challenges as a Startup13:30 – Internal vs External Storytelling16:04 – Building Trust and Culture in Organizations18:54 – Avoiding Shiny Object Syndrome21:38 – Advice for Young Founders24:07 – Future Trends in Sports and Technology27:50 – Closing Thoughts on Communication & LegacyEd Moed:🏠 Website: https://www.hotpaperlantern.com/💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ed-moed-31369a6Andrew Petcash:🏠 Website: https://profluence.com🐣 Twitter: https://twitter.com/andrewpetcash💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewpetcash/

Sam Porter is building one of the most uniquely diversified sports ownership portfolios in the world. As co-owner of Club Necaxa (Liga MX), Club Equidad (Colombian First Division), and the Brooklyn Aces (Major League Pickleball), he’s betting on the global and generational growth of sport as both a cultural force and financial asset.With previous leadership roles at DC United and Swansea City AFC, and now as a Senior Advisor to Apollo Global Management, Sam brings an unmatched operator’s lens to sports investment strategy. In this episode, he breaks down the real opportunities in emerging leagues, why Liga MX remains an overlooked powerhouse, and how storytelling will shape the next decade of fan engagement. From pickleball to fútbol, it’s a wide-ranging conversation on where the future of ownership is headed.Chapters:02:42 – Investment Strategies in Professional Sports05:31 – Exploring Liga MX: A Hidden Gem10:30 – The Colombian Soccer Landscape16:14 – The Role of Storytelling in Sports21:51 – Emerging Sports: The Rise of Pickleball27:02 – Trends in Women’s Sports Investment32:15 – International Growth and Fan Behavior36:48 – Final Reflections on Ownership and ImpactSam Porter: https://www.clubnecaxa.mx/Andrew Petcash:🏠 Website: https://profluence.com🐣 Twitter: https://twitter.com/andrewpetcash💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewpetcash/

For more than three decades, Andres has been at the center of soccer’s rise in the United States. As the founder and daily host of Fútbol de Primera—the country’s longest-running syndicated soccer radio network—he’s helped shape how millions of fans experience the game. With exclusive U.S. radio rights to all FIFA tournaments, his network will broadcast this summer’s Concacaf Gold Cup, adding another milestone to its historic run.Beyond the mic, Andres is stepping into a new era: in 2025, he’ll serve as an English-language broadcaster for Turner Sports at the FIFA Club World Cup—marking a high-profile shift from decades of iconic Spanish-language calls on Telemundo and Univision. From the evolution of fútbol’s U.S. footprint to what’s next as the country prepares to host the 2026 Men’s World Cup and the expected 2031 Women’s World Cup, Andres offers an unmatched perspective on the game’s past, present, and future.Chapters01:00 – Countdown to the 2026 World Cup02:53 – The Business of Soccer Media06:02 – Navigating Dual Careers in Sports Media12:01 – Trends in Global Soccer23:55 – The Future of Soccer FormatsAndres Cantor: 🏠 Website: https://fdpradio.com/💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andr%C3%A9s-cantor-82a492111/Andrew Petcash: 🏠 Website: https://profluence.com🐣 Twitter: https://twitter.com/andrewpetcash💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewpetcash/

Will Ventures is an early-stage venture capital firm built on the belief that sports are more than entertainment—they’re a launchpad for transformative consumer brands, emerging technologies, and cultural movements. With a hands-on approach and a powerful network of athletes, operators, and technologists, Will Ventures invests where passion meets performance.Aaron Miller is an Investor at Will Ventures, focused on sourcing deals, evaluating opportunities, and supporting portfolio growth at the intersection of sports, media, health, and consumer. Before joining the team, Aaron held roles across some of the most influential organizations shaping global entertainment—from strategy at Netflix to business development at Manticore Games, and LATAM partnerships at the NBA. He also advised global brands during his time at Endeavor and earned his MBA from Stanford GSB after graduating from Harvard.Chapters: 02:44 – Aaron’s Journey into Sports and Venture Capital 05:26 – Overview of Will Ventures and Investment Focus 08:18 – Emerging Leagues and Investment Strategies 10:50 – Evaluating Founders and Opportunities 12:37 – The Rise of Creator-Led Brands in Sports 15:17 – Youth Sports: Trends and Investment Opportunities 18:04 – International Expansion and Future Outlook 20:50 – Closing Thoughts and ResourcesAaron Miller: 🏠 Website: https://willventures.com/💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aaron-miller-0ba47a78Andrew Petcash:🏠 Website: https://profluence.com🐣 Twitter: https://twitter.com/andrewpetcash💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewpetcash/

Brian Hough, Co-Founder & CEO at PressBox, is a former tech executive with a rich background at Bleacher Report and Turner Sports. He discusses how PressBox is revolutionizing sports content by employing AI to create personalized experiences for fans. Hough dives into shifting media business models, highlighting the move toward direct monetization and the engagement of Gen-Z audiences. He also explores the importance of real-time content creation and the transformative power of data in reshaping sports media and expanding beyond traditional boundaries.

ShotTracker is redefining how basketball is measured, experienced, and understood. Through a powerful combination of sensors and software, the platform delivers real-time stats on every shot, pass, and possession—helping coaches, players, scouts, and broadcasters make smarter decisions, faster. From youth gyms to elite programs, ShotTracker is building the future of in-game analytics and competitive intelligence.At the helm is Davyeon Ross, a seasoned tech entrepreneur who’s raised over $40M and led innovations across sports and enterprise software. With a deep understanding of product development, go-to-market execution, and strategic partnerships, Davyeon’s leadership has brought ShotTracker to the global stage—including deals with Spalding, Nike, and a legendary alliance with Magic Johnson. In this conversation, he shares what it takes to build lasting sports tech, the role of AI in player development, and how he’s thinking about the next frontier beyond basketball.Chapters: 03:00 – The Evolution of ShotTracker: From Concept to Product Suite06:05 – Navigating Challenges During the Pandemic08:52 – The Role of AI in Sports Technology12:01 – Future Aspirations: Expanding Beyond Basketball19:14 – Navigating Market Turbulence in Sports22:31 – Rebranding and Educating the Market27:49 – Leveraging AI for Player Development32:57 – The Magic Johnson Connection and Strategic PartnershipsDavyeon Ross🏠 Website: https://shottracker.com/🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davyeonrossScott 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.