The Profluence Pod 🌐

Max Ade, Co-Founder of Pickleheads, is leading the charge in solving one of the biggest challenges facing the fastest-growing sport in America — pickleball. With 36.5 million players and counting, the sport’s rapid rise has created a surge in court shortages, long wait times, and overwhelmed organizers.To tackle these issues, Max and his team built Pickleheads, a platform that helps players connect, find local games, and organize matches seamlessly. With over 377,200 members and a recent $2.5 million seed round, Pickleheads is scaling rapidly as the digital home for pickleball players.Whether you're a casual player or a dedicated competitor, Pickleheads is helping players nationwide find their community, improve their game, and stay connected to the sport they love.Chapters:2:30 - The Growth of Pickleball and Market Insights5:00 - Building a Community and Customer Acquisition Strategy7:42 - Understanding the Pickleball Market and Participation Trends10:15 - The Social Aspect of Pickleball and Its Unique Appeal12:53 - Navigating Growth and Capital Raising for Pickleball15:44 - Adapting to Skill Levels and Player Needs18:26 - Future Vision and Trends in Pickleball20:45 - Learning from Other Sports and CompaniesMax Ade:🏠 Website: https://www.pickleheads.com💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adesome/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. Thanks for listening! Hit the “follow” button to stay updated on new podcasts.

Keith Stein, CEO of the Toronto Maple Leafs Baseball team, is making waves in sports by spearheading the return of professional women’s baseball — the first league of its kind in North America since the 1950s. The Women’s Pro Baseball League (WPBL) is set to debut in 2025, with six teams playing in intimate ballparks and plans for a national broadcast deal.Keith’s journey into baseball was inspired by his collaboration with Justine Siegal, a trailblazer in the sport and the first woman to pitch to an MLB team and coach a professional men's team. Together, they’re driving a movement to create a long-overdue platform for women in baseball.The WPBL has already attracted over 800 of the world’s best players, drawing media coverage from CBS, The New York Times, and even Saturday Night Live — a testament to the league’s cultural impact and momentum.Chapters: 1:13 - The Vision Behind the League 3:50 - Understanding the Game Structure 7:09 - Business Insights and Experiences 10:53 - Ownership Models and Strategies 16:12 - Real Estate and Infrastructure Needs 18:29 - Leveraging Celebrity Influence 22:12 - Compensation and Player Opportunities 24:49 - Personal Growth and LearningKeith Stein: Website: https://www.womensprobaseballleague.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/womensprobaseballleague/Scott GarberWebsite: https://profluence.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sgarber40/

Elite 7 Sports Medicine is redefining athlete care by providing innovative, on-site medical services at sports events nationwide. With a team of experts boasting over 100 years of combined experience, Elite 7 ensures athletes receive seamless, sport-specific treatment—whether competing, recovering, or returning home.Kelly Morgan, CEO and Medical Director, is an emergency physician and former athlete dedicated to improving access to high-quality sports medicine. With experience as an athletic trainer for the Women’s Rugby World Cup, medical director for USA Taekwondo, and a leader in emergency medical services, she is breaking barriers in both sports and healthcare.From filling critical gaps in athlete care to building a business that prioritizes safety and accessibility, Kelly shares her entrepreneurial journey and vision for the future of sports medicine.Chapters: 1:09 - Introduction to Elite 7 Sports Medicine 4:06 - The Origin Story of Kelly and Elite 7 Sports Medicine 8:49 - Addressing Gaps in Athletic Care 13:37 - Proactive Approaches to Injury Prevention 18:00 - The Entrepreneurial Journey in Sports Medicine 22:47 - The Vision for the Future of Athletic CareDr. Kelly Morgan: 🏠 Website: https://www.e7sportsmedicine.com/team-1 💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kelly-buchanan-morgan-md-atc-r-8ab59840/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.

Lucra Sports is redefining gamification in sports, entertainment, and media. As a venture-backed startup, Lucra provides innovative engagement solutions for consumer platforms, live events, and media companies, transforming the way fans interact with their favorite sports.Michael, the company’s Chief Operating Officer, brings a wealth of experience from Goldman Sachs, where he worked in investment banking and corporate strategy. He played a key role in launching GS Accelerate, the firm’s global incubator, and has a strong background in scaling startups and driving business growth.Lucra has raised over $25 million to revolutionize social betting and fan engagement, positioning itself at the forefront of the rapidly evolving sports tech landscape.Chapters:5:51 - Fundraising Insights and Strategies11:12 - Product Evolution and User Engagement14:30 - Industry Trends in Fan Engagement25:09 - Entity Structure and Investor Preferences27:08 - Team Growth: Full-time vs. Fractional Employees32:04 - Partnership Development and Networking38:10 - Pricing Strategies and Market PositioningMichael Madding: 🏠 Website: https://www.lucrasports.com/💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-madding-13ba9522/Andrew Petcash & Scott Garber: Website: https://profluence.comTwitter: https://twitter.com/andrewpetcashLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewpetcash/;  https://www.linkedin.com/in/sgarber40/

This month’s panel explored the rapidly evolving landscape of racquet sports, highlighting key investment trends, technological advancements, and the growing influence of community-driven initiatives. As racquet sports like padel, pickleball, and tennis continue to surge in popularity, industry leaders are shaping the future with innovative strategies and bold investments.Key topics included the rise of padel and its investment potential, technological innovations in racquet sports, the role of community and social engagement, market trends, and the revitalization of sports infrastructure.The panel featured insights from:🎙️ CiCi Bellis – Former Professional Tennis Player🎙️ Robyn Duda – Co-founder, RacquetX🎙️ Marcus Jansson-Ryan – CEO, EEP Capital Chapters:6:02 - The Rise of Padel and Investment Opportunities8:58 - Technological Advances in Racquet Sports12:12 - Community and Social Aspects of Racquet Sports14:52 - Market Trends and Brand Collaboration21:15 - Public Access and Local Government Involvement27:39 - Revitalizing Racquet Sports Infrastructure33:09 - Exploring Emerging Racquet Sports39:05 - Investment Trends in Racquet Sports46:04 - Innovations in Racquet Sports Technology48:06 - Global Perspectives on Racquet Sports Adoption🔗 Connect with the Panelists:CiCi Bellis: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cici-bellis-750926182/Robyn Duda: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robynduda/Marcus Jansson-Ryan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jansson-ryanmarcus/🎙️ Hosts:Andrew Petcash & Scott Garber🏠 Website: https://profluence.com🐦 Twitter: https://twitter.com/andrewpetcash💼 LinkedIn: Andrew Petcash | Scott GarberThanks for tuning in! Don’t forget to hit “follow” to stay updated on future podcasts.

Brent Richard, CEO of IMG Academy and former leader at Endeavor, shares his insights on the future of sports education. He discusses IMG Academy's transition to a global sports powerhouse, making its life-changing experiences accessible to student-athletes worldwide. Brent delves into the impact of NIL rights on young athletes, the surge of investment in youth sports, and how AI is reshaping education. He also highlights the advancements in women's sports, emphasizing the importance of female coaches and the supportive environments for young female athletes.

Dan Banon, CEO of Balltime, a pioneering volleyball AI platform, and Tarryn Moss from Hudl, dive into the groundbreaking acquisition of Balltime by Hudl. They discuss how Balltime automates player stats and performance analysis, revolutionizing volleyball coaching. The conversation highlights the importance of community in volleyball innovation and the complexities of navigating sports tech acquisitions. With Hudl’s powerful integration, the future is bright for enhancing athlete development and performance analytics through advanced technology.

Brandon McCaghren is a pioneer in the Jiu-Jitsu world, being the first to introduce the 10th Planet Jiu-Jitsu system in the Southeastern United States. A well-respected instructor and content creator, Brandon has built a significant online following, with over 150,000 subscribers on both YouTube and Instagram. His influence extends beyond coaching—he’s a color commentator for major Jiu-Jitsu promotions, including ADCC, EBI, and CJJ.As the creator of the Professional Grappling Federation (PGF), Brandon is transforming Jiu-Jitsu into a structured league, bringing a new level of organization and entertainment to the sport. His mission is to blend professionalism with high-level grappling, creating a competitive ecosystem that appeals to both athletes and fans alike.Beyond his impact on the competition scene, Brandon runs 10th Planet Jiu-Jitsu Decatur, an academy recognized as one of the best in the 10th Planet system. He’s also a sought-after seminar instructor, sharing his knowledge with practitioners worldwide.Chapters:(01:00) - The Birth of the Professional Grappling Federation(08:12) - Storytelling in Combat Sports(12:34) - The Global Expansion & Popularity of Jiu-Jitsu(15:30) - Educating Newcomers to Jiu-Jitsu(20:08) - The Pipeline of Jiu-Jitsu Athletes(22:49) - Understanding the Family of Combat Sports(24:54) - The Practicality of Jiu-Jitsu in Real Life(26:46) - Future Trends & Opportunities in Jiu-JitsuBrandon McCaghren:💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brandon-mccaghren-55568332/🎥 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCr7VU0Cnef4AhQk7Pe_9nTAAndrew 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.

A Baseball Life: Player, GM, Coach, and InnovatorFew people have seen the game of baseball from as many angles as Ruben Amaro Jr.—big league player, general manager, coach, and now, co-founder of Sluggball, a brand-new take on the sport he’s dedicated his life to.Baseball runs deep in Amaro’s family. His father, Ruben Amaro Sr., was a major leaguer, coach, and scout. After playing eight seasons in MLB, Amaro Jr. transitioned into front-office leadership, becoming GM of the Philadelphia Phillies, where he played a key role in their 2008 World Series championship and led them to another World Series appearance in 2009. He later moved into coaching with the Red Sox and Mets before stepping into broadcasting with NBC Sports and MLB Network.Now, Amaro is launching Sluggball, a 4-vs-4 situational hitting challenge that removes running and fielding, putting the focus squarely on strategy, precision, and power. With games set to debut in minor league stadiums across multiple states, Sluggball is designed to keep the competitive spirit alive for baseball fans and former players alike.In this episode, we dive into Amaro’s incredible baseball journey, the evolution of the game, and how Sluggball is introducing a fresh way to experience America’s pastime.Chapters:(01:27) - Ruben Amaro Jr.'s Baseball Journey(04:26) - The Evolution of Baseball and Its Challenges(06:36) - Introducing Sluggball: A New Baseball Experience(13:13) - How to Get Involved with Sluggball(15:11) - Technology Integrated with Sluggball(18:54) - Event Structures and Spectator Experience(22:03) - Future Aspirations and Community EngagementRuben Amaro Jr.: 🏠 Sluggball Website:https://playsluggball.com💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ruben-amaro-jr-1a975b196/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.

FlingGolf is transforming golf—making it more active, more fun, and more accessible. Instead of using traditional golf clubs, players use the New Swarm FlingStick to hurl the ball, shaping every shot from tee to hole. The best part? You can play on any golf course, and over 2,000 courses in 37 countries have already embraced it.The sport was created by Alex Van Alen, Founder & CEO of New Swarm Sports, who has spent his career promoting outdoor recreation and innovative sports experiences. His mission is to bring new energy to the game of golf and make it more inclusive.Joining him is John Pruellage, President of New Swarm Sports, a seasoned entrepreneur with experience in business development and scaling startups. Formerly a CFO at Navic Networks (acquired by Microsoft) and Founder at Integral Reach (acquired by Tivo), John is now helping to expand FlingGolf worldwide—turning it into a competitive sport with its own league, community, and business model.Chapters:(01:50) - The Origin Story of FlingGolf(06:00) - Building the Community and League(09:29) - Developing Talent and Competition(14:23) - Creating a Competitive Experience(17:28) - The Culture and Attire of FlingGolf(19:44) - Betting and Engagement in FlingGolf(21:49) - FlingGolf Business Model(28:53) - Challenges and Growth as a Founder(33:35) - Future Plans for the LeagueAlex Van Alen & John Pruellage: 🏠 Website:⁠ https://flinggolf.com⁠💼 LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-pruellage-43453b38/⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexander-van-alen-40138410/⁠⁠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.