The Profluence Pod 🌐

Tyton Partners is the leading advisory firm focused exclusively on the rapidly evolving Global Knowledge Sector. With a unique blend of investment bankers, strategy consultants, and sector operators, Tyton delivers actionable insights and strategic guidance to companies and investors shaping the future of education, human capital, and talent development—including the growing convergence with sports.Brian Feeney, Director at Tyton, brings deep expertise from previous roles at ESPN and Macquarie Capital, along with firsthand experience as an All-American lacrosse player at the University of Pennsylvania. His background bridges media, finance, and athletics—making him uniquely equipped to advise founders and operators at the intersection of sports, education, and innovation.Chapters01:33 – Brian Feeney's Background and Tyton Partners07:51 – Tyton's Focus on Education and Sports08:40 – The Intersection of Sports and Education13:44 – Building Relationships with Founders18:00 – Emerging Trends in Sports Academies21:30 – The Role of Parents in Youth Sports24:22 – Emerging Leagues and Educational Opportunities25:52 – Common Oversights of Founders29:27 – Transformations in College Sports33:00 – Balancing Responsibility and Innovation35:21 – The Future of Sports, Technology, and Education39:29 – Navigating the School System for Sports Tech44:47 – Closing Thoughts and Community EngagementBrian Feeney:🏠 Website: https://tytonpartners.com/🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brian-feeney/Scott Garber: 🏠 Website: https://profluence.com🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sgarber40/

FanStake is reshaping the future of college sports by empowering fans and supporting athletes through a transparent, risk-free NIL model. Led by Greg Glass—whose background spans startup leadership, SaaS innovation, and community-building—FanStake offers a platform that allows fans to fund athletes directly, without compromising education or compliance.Born from a passion for fairness in sports, FanStake is tackling systemic issues like inequity in athlete compensation and instability in college careers. With a mission to make college sports more engaging for fans and more sustainable for programs of all sizes, FanStake is a new-age NIL solution driven by values: protect the athlete, protect the team, empower the fan.Backed by Greg’s experience scaling ventures like Homebound, LinkedIn, and Qwill, FanStake is helping redefine what the future of athlete empowerment and fan influence can look like.Chapters:01:04 – Building the founding team and early vision03:50 – How FanStake works: transparency meets NIL07:18 – Fundraising in a shifting market11:26 – Fan-first business model explained15:04 – Building stronger fan-athlete connections18:02 – Navigating NCAA uncertainty21:58 – What’s next for NIL and college sports25:39 – Why financial literacy matters more than ever27:57 – Greg’s predictions for the future of NILGreg Glass: 🏠 Website: https://fanstake.com/welcome🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregoryglass/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.

TheLinkU emerged in 2022 to guide colleges and athletes through the fast‑moving Name, Image & Likeness era. Built by Austin Elrod—whose background spans sports administration, operations, and sales—and co‑founder Troy Kyle, the SaaS platform handles compliance, marketing, and delayed‑payment services that help more than 1,100 athletes manage earnings responsibly. Partnerships with programs from Houston to UCLA highlight rapid traction, and the recent disbursement of $400 k in safeguarded NIL funds underscores a mission to “Champion Integrity in Every Play.”Core values drive every product decision: protect the athlete, protect the university, protect the sponsor. TheLinkU delivers turnkey financial‑literacy tools, NCAA‑compliant workflows, and real‑time reporting so athletic departments stay ahead of regulation while athletes build lasting legacies.Chapters: 02:41 – Navigating the Sports Industry: Insights and Challenges05:29 – The Evolution of LinkU: Services and Offerings08:10 – Preparing for Revenue Sharing: Insights and Strategies10:44 – Morgan Stanley Partnership: Financial Literacy for Athletes13:26 – The Impact of Revenue Sharing on College Athletics16:14 – Future of College Sports: Trends and Predictions18:49 – Focus on Female and Olympic Sports21:34 – Conclusion and Future Outlook

Phoenix Capital Ventures (PCV) is an early-stage venture capital firm investing in the future of sports, gaming, human performance, and immersive media. The firm partners with bold founders at the earliest stages, backing those obsessed with solving real problems in and around the sports ecosystem.Adam Lewites is Managing Director at PCV. He began his career as a college basketball coach before entering the startup world as a founding team member at Insightpool. Adam later helped scale several Atlanta-based startups and played a key role in launching Endeavor Atlanta, a global network supporting high-impact entrepreneurs. Today, he combines his deep operational experience with a passion for sports innovation to help founders build category-defining companies.Chapters:(02:17) The Journey from Founder to Investor(04:39) Understanding the Founder-Investor Dynamic(07:13) The Importance of Founder Obsession(09:55) Optimism in Sports Investment(12:31) Phoenix Capital Ventures: Investment Strategy(14:49) Navigating Dilution and Pro Rata Rights(17:01) Current Trends in Sports and Entertainment(19:18) The Future of Sports and Technology(21:41) Prosumer Trends in Sports(24:12) Conclusion and Future OutlookAdam Lewites:🏠 Website: https://pcv.fund/💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adam-lewites-70482253/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.

Angella Goran is a lifelong athlete, former professional cyclist, and visionary behind The Power Hour — a global movement to get millions of people moving at the exact same time in a unified, measurable act of wellness. What started as a personal legacy project in honor of her father has grown into an international initiative backed by Strava, Snap Fitness, and Allegiant Stadium, aiming to break a Guinness World Record while promoting physical, mental, and financial wellbeing across the globe.With a deep background in sport, entrepreneurship, and social impact, Angella is setting a new standard for how we activate communities through movement. The Power Hour is about more than just fitness — it’s about collective energy, equitable access, and creating a ripple effect of health that touches every corner of society.Chapters: 00:00 Introduction to Angella Goran and Power Hour02:47 The Genesis of Power Hour05:37 Participation and Global Impact08:41 Goals and Vision for Power Hour11:26 Final Thoughts and Call to ActionAngella Goran:🏠Website: https://www.tapango.com/💼LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/angella-g-b382369/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.

Relay Ventures is an early-stage venture capital firm backing exceptional founders at the intersection of SportsTech, gaming, and media. With deep roots across North America, Relay brings a hands-on approach that goes beyond capital—supporting entrepreneurs with strategic networks, operational expertise, and industry insight.As a co-founder of the firm, John Albright focuses exclusively on the evolution of sports and its adjacent markets, including athlete performance, fan engagement, and digital media. From emerging leagues to transformative technologies, he shares perspectives on what’s driving the next era of innovation and how Relay Ventures evaluates founders, markets, and long-term opportunities.03:04 Investment Strategies in Early-Stage Sports Tech06:02 Evaluating Founders and Market Potential09:01 The Donut of Sports: Connecting Teams and Solutions11:48 Emerging Sports and Revenue Generation14:50 Concerns in the Sports Investment Landscape20:00 The Future of Sports Investments and Player 1226:45 Closing Thoughts and Opportunities John Albright🏠 Website:⁠ https://relay.vc/💼 LinkedIn:⁠ https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnlalbright/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.

Steve Delsohn is the founder of Delsohn Strategies, a boutique communications firm helping top executives and founders secure impactful national media exposure. With a background as a Peabody Award–winning investigative reporter at ESPN’s Outside the Lines, Delsohn brings decades of experience in journalism, authorship, and documentary storytelling to the world of strategic PR.Having written 12 books and produced content for 30 for 30 and the History Channel, Delsohn now works behind the scenes to craft compelling narratives, elevate personal brands, and pitch stories that resonate. His firm specializes in positioning leaders at the intersection of sports, business, and media—helping them authentically connect with the audiences that matter most.Chapter: 02:58 Transition from Journalism to PR06:01 The Role of Media Coverage in PR08:53 Building Personal Brands for Founders12:06 The Importance of Authenticity in Interviews15:09 Criteria for Successful PR Engagements17:58 Crafting Effective Media Pitches20:58 Current Trends in Sports and Sports Tech24:01 Emerging Leagues and Youth Sports26:58 Closing Thoughts and Contact Information

The Cynosure | Checketts Sports Capital Fund is a newly launched $1.2B private equity fund focused on investing in sports franchises and related assets around the world. Led by longtime sports executive Dave Checketts and backed by the Eccles family of Utah, the fund aims to shape the next generation of global sports ownership, operations, and media engagement.Dave Checketts has spent a lifetime in sports leadership—from serving as team president of the New York Knicks and Utah Jazz to founding the WNBA’s New York Liberty and MLS’ Real Salt Lake. He’s now a part-owner of multiple global franchises, including Burnley FC, and brings a strategic, long-term perspective to sports investing and private equity.Chapters: 00:00 Introduction to Dave Checketts and His Journey in Sports03:25 Investments in Sports Teams and the Impact of Major Events08:32 The Future of Sports Leagues and Investment Strategies13:27 Valuations in Sports and the Role of Private Equity18:35 Challenges in College Sports and the Evolution of NIL21:44 The Disruption of Sports Television and Emerging TechnologiesAndrew Petcash:🏠 Website:⁠ https://profluence.com⁠🐣 Twitter:⁠   / andrewpetcash⁠  💼 LinkedIn:⁠ https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewpetcash/Thanks for listening! Hit the “follow” button to stay updated on new podcasts.

Eberg Capital is a venture capital firm focused on early-stage investments across the sports entertainment ecosystem, including sports franchises, betting, media, and technology-driven experiences. Roger Ehrenberg brings decades of expertise from the tech and venture worlds to the evolving sports landscape, backing founders building the next generation of transformative companies.By investing early in high-potential businesses, Eberg Capital aims to drive innovation where sports, media, and technology intersect. With a focus on founder quality, market size, and long-term impact, they are shaping the way fans engage with sports, betting, and entertainment across the globe.00:00 Introduction to Eberg Capital02:36 Challenges in Sports Investment04:54 The Appeal of Early Stage Investments07:37 Transitioning from Tech to Sports Investment10:16 Understanding the Market Size in Sports12:41 Factors Igniting Sports Investment15:05 Exploring Investment Categories17:21 Future Directions and Exciting Opportunities20:03 The Importance of Founders in Investment22:18 Conclusion and How to Connect with Eberg CapitalRoger Ehrenberg: 🏠 Website:⁠ https://www.ebergcapital.com/💼LinkedIn:⁠ https://www.linkedin.com/in/rehrenberg/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.

Geetansh Sahni is a venture capitalist at Yashaa Global Capital, a firm focused on investing in the future of sports, gaming, and performance. With a presence across Asia and support from elite athletes and experienced investors, Yashaa backs early-stage companies that are redefining the sports and media landscape.This conversation explores Yashaa’s investment thesis, geographic focus, and approach to evaluating opportunities in emerging markets. Sahni outlines how the team identifies founders, the qualities they look for, and how broader macro trends like youth sports and digital media are shaping their strategy.He also shares perspectives on the evolving role of capital in scaling new ventures and building sustainable ecosystems. The discussion highlights how sports and technology are converging to unlock new models for engagement, monetization, and growth.Chapters: 00:00 – Introduction to Yashaa Global Capital02:44 – Investment Thesis and Fund Structure05:04 – Deployment Strategy and Deal Evaluation05:58 – Sports and Media Influence07:09 – Team Dynamics and Founders' Qualities10:07 – Macro Trends in Sports Investment12:43 – Youth Sports and Market Opportunities15:19 – Conclusion and Future OutlookGeetansh Sahni:🏠 Website:⁠ https://daoneglobal.vc/💼LinkedIn:⁠ https://www.linkedin.com/in/geetanshsahni/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.