The Profluence Pod ๐ŸŒ

Andrew Petcash
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Insightful convos with the founders, operators, and investors transforming the future of sports.

  1. #270: Greg Hoffman, Beyond Your Limits - Building Iconic Brands Through Storytelling

    1 DAY AGO

    #270: Greg Hoffman, Beyond Your Limits - Building Iconic Brands Through Storytelling

    Greg Hoffman is the founder of the brand advisory group Modern Arena, the former Chief Marketing Officer of Nike, and the bestselling author of Emotion by Design: Creative Leadership Lessons from a Life at Nike. Now, Greg introduces Beyond Your Limits โ€” a first-of-its-kind, seven-week masterclass created in partnership with the Business of Creativity. Designed for modern athletes, it's designed to help them build a powerful personal brand alongside their playing career. Beyond Your Limits empowers athletes to express who they are, shape their story on their own terms, and unlock opportunities that extend far beyond the game. Own your story. Own your future. Chapter: 01:27 The Evolution of Athletes and Branding 05:06 Understanding Creativity in Branding 07:50 Building a Brand with Depth and Substance 11:25 Resources Behind Elite Athlete Branding 15:53 Introducing Beyond Your Limits 22:18 The Importance of Brand Evolution 26:35 Empowering Athletes and Organizations 31:17 Conclusion and Call to Action Greg Hoffman: ๐Ÿ  Website: https://beyondyourlimitscourse.com/ ๐Ÿ’ผ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/greg-hoffman-1b196a25/ Scott Garber: ๐Ÿ  Website: https://profluence.com ๐Ÿ’ผ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sgarber40/ Thanks for listening! Hit the โ€œfollowโ€ button to stay updated on new podcasts.

    38 min
  2. #269: Mathew Focht, EMERGING - Building the Next Generation of Entertainment Destinations

    8 OCT

    #269: Mathew Focht, EMERGING - Building the Next Generation of Entertainment Destinations

    Mathew D. Focht is the Founding Managing Partner of EMERGING, a growth equity and concept development firm helping best-in-class restaurant and entertainment operators scale nationally. With over 25 years of experience, Mathew has worked with hundreds of restaurant and entertainment founders and CEOs, guiding early-stage concepts and technology investments from inception to national recognition. Mathew is the founder of EMERGING, Emerging Concepts, Consolidated Concepts, Acutely, and FB Insights. He has created operating companies focused on capital, real estate, supply chain, technology, and cost optimization. His portfolio includes prominent concepts such as Puttshack, F1 Arcade, Flight Club, Batbox, Blue Sushi, Federales, Silverspot Cinema, Pour House, City Works, Doc Bโ€™s, The PUB, Levity Live, Improv Comedy Club, Bar Louie, Cheesecake Factory, Brio, Bravo, Blue Martini, Hyde Park Steakhouse, Lucky Strike, and Houstonโ€™s. Prior to founding EMERGING, Mathew served as Vice President and executive at RKF Retail Property Advisors, Sierra Advisors, Pyramid Companies, and Steiner & Associates, providing leasing, marketing, and consulting services to developers and emerging chains. He holds an MBA in Finance and Real Estate and a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from the University of Cincinnati. Podcast Chapters: 02:23 The Evolution of Experiential Social Entertainment 05:15 Data-Driven Approach to Scaling Concepts 08:02 Leveraging AI and Technology in Entertainment 12:00 Licensing, Avatars, and the Future of Guest Experiences 16:10 Growth Capital and Investment Strategy 20:05 Key Success Factors: Location, Team, Corporate, Technology 24:30 Sports Entertainment Districts and Global Expansion 29:35 Advice for Founders and Emerging Operators 33:21 Conclusion and Key Takeaways Mathew D. Focht: ๐Ÿ  Website:https://emerging.com/ ๐Ÿ’ผ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mathew-d-focht-89bb88b/ Andrew Petcash: ๐Ÿ  Website: https://profluence.com ๐Ÿฃ Twitter: https://twitter.com/andrewpetcash ๐Ÿ’ผ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewpetcash/

    34 min
  3. #268: Christine Brown & Partners - The Legal Playbook Shaping the Future of College Sports

    6 OCT

    #268: Christine Brown & Partners - The Legal Playbook Shaping the Future of College Sports

    Christine Brown is the founder of Christine Brown & Partners, a law firm dedicated to protecting the rights of athletes, coaches, and institutions in the rapidly shifting landscape of college sports. With over thirty years of legal expertise, Christine focuses on core areas such as Title IX & gender equity, NIL disputes, athlete rights & advocacy, coaching employment issues, scholarship & financial aid, eligibility & compliance, and injury compensation & health coverage. Her firm is known for combining legal acumen with deep empathy, striving to โ€œgive clients clarity, confidence, and strengthโ€ in high-stakes disputes. Christine explains the evolution and current challenges of Title IX, the impact of recent NCAA reforms, and how the world of college athletics is adapting to changes in NIL and professionalization. Youโ€™ll hear her take on unintended consequences for womenโ€™s and Olympic sports, legal blind spots for athletes and coaches, and why she believes we need federal oversight in place of the current NCAA structure. Christine has achieved a 90% win rate in cases against some of the largest colleges and universities while operating in one of the most complex and contentious areas of law Chapters: 02:40 Christine Brown's Journey in Sports Law 05:09 The Effectiveness and Challenges of Title IX 07:52 Unintended Consequences of Recent NCAA Changes 10:24 Emerging Sports and Opportunities for Women 13:11 Blind Spots in NIL Understanding 15:28 The Need for Federal Oversight in College Sports 18:24 Proactive Steps for Athletes and Coaches 20:40 Staying Relevant in a Changing Sports Landscape 23:17 Embracing Opportunities in Sports Christine Brown: ๐Ÿ  Website: https://www.christinebrownsportslaw.com/๐Ÿ’ผ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christine-donahue-brown-a63530131/Scott Garber:๐Ÿ  Website: https://profluence.com ๐Ÿ’ผ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewpetcash/Thanks for watching! Hit the โ€œsubscribeโ€ button to stay updated on new podcasts.

    27 min
  4. #267: Peter Frintzilas, CEO of TeamSnap - Reshaping the Youth Sports Tech Industry

    1 OCT

    #267: Peter Frintzilas, CEO of TeamSnap - Reshaping the Youth Sports Tech Industry

    Peter Frintzilas is the Chief Executive Officer of TeamSnap. TeamSnap is the leading technology platform transforming how youth sports are organized, managed, and experienced. Serving millions of athletes, parents, coaches, and administrators worldwide, TeamSnap has become the go-to solution for simplifying scheduling, communication, registration, and payments in sports. By combining technology with community, the platform empowers organizations to focus less on logistics and more on what really mattersโ€”creating meaningful sports experiences.With more than 20 years of experience in technology, innovation, and leadership, Peter has a proven track record of scaling organizations and building strong teams. His background spans corporate strategy, product development, M&A, and go-to-market execution across disruptive technologies like cloud, mobile, data analytics, and AI. Now leading TeamSnap, Peter is driving the companyโ€™s vision to strengthen the youth sports ecosystem while creating value for players, families, and communities.Beyond his role as CEO, heโ€™s also an active investor and advisor, passionate about mentoring entrepreneurs and supporting innovative companies. His career reflects a consistent themeโ€”leveraging technology to enhance human connection, whether in business ecosystems or youth sports communities. This unique perspective makes him not just a tech leader, but also a champion of using innovation to create lasting social impact. Chapters: 02:31 The Growth of Youth Sports Tech 05:07 Consolidation in the Sports Tech Industry 08:29 Programming and Technology Interplay 10:23 International Opportunities in Youth Sports 16:08 Investment Strategies in Youth Sports Tech 19:43 The Future of Youth Sports and Community Impact Peter Frintzilas: ๐Ÿ  Website: https://www.teamsnap.com/ ๐Ÿ’ผ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/peterfrintzilas/ Andrew Petcash: ๐Ÿ  Website: https://profluence.com ๐Ÿฃ Twitter: https://twitter.com/andrewpetcash ๐Ÿ’ผ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewpetcash/ Thanks for listening! Hit the โ€œfollowโ€ button to stay updated on new podcasts.

    21 min
  5. #266: Omer Atesmen, Snow League - The Business of Winter Sports: Global Growth & Athlete-First

    29 SEPT

    #266: Omer Atesmen, Snow League - The Business of Winter Sports: Global Growth & Athlete-First

    Omer Atesmen is a serial entrepreneur and the CEO of Snow League, a professional league reimagining snowboarding and free skiing for a global audience. After successful ventures in robotics and ad tech, Omer partnered with Shaun White to launch the league, combining deep business expertise with a passion for action sports. With equal prize money for men and women, innovative competition formats, and a vision to capture the energy of winter sports on a worldwide scale, Snow League is setting out to become the premier platform for athletes, fans, and brands. In this episode, Omer dives into the origin story of Snow League, the challenges of building a new sports property, and the strategy behind fundraising, media rights, and global expansion. They also discuss why storytelling, PR, and athlete engagement are critical in driving fan adoption, and how the league is learning from models like Formula 1 to build long-term cultural and commercial impact. Podcast Chapters: 02:36 Partnering with Shaun White and the Leagueโ€™s Vision 05:12 Building a Sports Property from Scratch 08:47 Fundraising and Market Opportunities in Winter Sports 12:19 Equal Prize Money and Athlete-Centric Innovation 15:08 Media Rights, PR, and Global Fan Engagement 18:34 Learning from Formula 1 and Other Global Leagues 22:11 The Future of Snow League and Whatโ€™s Next Omer Atesmen: ๐Ÿ  Website: https://thesnowleague.com/๐Ÿ’ผ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/omer-a-5291062/Andrew Petcash:๐Ÿ  Website: https://profluence.com๐Ÿฃ Twitter: https://twitter.com/andrewpetcash๐Ÿ’ผ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewpetcash/Thanks for listening! Hit the โ€œfollowโ€ button to stay updated on new podcasts.

    28 min
  6. #265: Connor Lim, International Dance League (IDL) - Investing in Sports & Media

    24 SEPT

    #265: Connor Lim, International Dance League (IDL) - Investing in Sports & Media

    Connor Lim is the Founder of the International Dance League (IDL), a first-of-its-kind professional league redefining the global dance industry. Growing up in Queens, New York as a professional dancer, Connor experienced firsthand both the artistry and challenges of the dance communityโ€”a foundation that now fuels his mission to create new opportunities for dancers worldwide. Before launching IDL, Connor co-founded and served as President of STEEZY, the leading digital platform for dance education. Over more than a decade, he scaled STEEZY into an internationally recognized brand with millions of users across 100+ countries. By partnering with top choreographers and building a global community, Connor helped shape STEEZY into the premier destination for online dance learning and a cultural force that continues to influence dancers everywhere. With IDL, Connor is pioneering a global league modeled after Formula 1โ€”blending elite competition with entertainment and fan engagement. Following its 2025 launch in Los Angeles, the league will expand to six countries in 2026, creating a professional structure that elevates dance to the global stage and provides sustainable career pathways for dancers. His story is one of innovation, culture, and visionโ€”bringing artistry and athleticism together in an entirely new way. Podcast Chapters: 02:41 The Vision Behind IDL and Dance as a Sport 05:38 Global Expansion and the Dance Landscape 08:34 Business Model and Funding Strategies 11:09 Creating a Pathway for Dancers 13:56 Current Competition Landscape in Dance 16:48 Audience Engagement and Demographics 19:35 Future Plans and Trends in Dance 22:36 Conclusion and Call to Action

    24 min
  7. #264: Steve Strawbridge, President & CEO of Pop Warner - Building the Future of Youth Football

    22 SEPT

    #264: Steve Strawbridge, President & CEO of Pop Warner - Building the Future of Youth Football

    Steve Strawbridge, President & CEO of Pop Warner, joins the show to discuss the legacy and future of one of Americaโ€™s most iconic youth sports organizations. With a century of history behind it, Pop Warner has become the gold standard in youth football, cheerleading, and now flag football, helping millions of young athletes build character, confidence, and a lifelong love for sports. Before leading Pop Warner, Steve spent over 20 years with the Philadelphia Eagles, building deep expertise in sponsorships, partnerships, and fan engagement. His career has been marked by growing brands, creating meaningful community connections, and expanding opportunities for athletes at every level. At Pop Warner, heโ€™s using that experience to elevate the organizationโ€™s reach and impact, ensuring it continues to thrive in a changing sports landscape. Fun fact: Pop Warner alumni include NFL legends like Tom Brady, Drew Brees, and Emmitt Smithโ€”proof of the programโ€™s role in shaping generations of elite athletes. Steve and his team continue to build on that tradition, blending grassroots development with a vision for the next 100 years of youth sports. Podcast Chapters: 02:41 Steve Strawbridge's Journey in Sports Management 05:21 The Business of Football: Insights from the NFL 08:15 Assessing and Innovating at Pop Warner 11:19 The Role of Technology and Safety in Youth Sports 13:53 The Growth of Flag Football and Partnerships 16:35 Cheer and Dance: Expanding Pop Warner's Offerings 19:32 The Impact of Private Equity on Youth Sports 22:07 Future Goals for Pop Warner

    28 min
  8. #263: Jake Deane, True Lacrosse - Youth Sports, Player Development & Core Values

    17 SEPT

    #263: Jake Deane, True Lacrosse - Youth Sports, Player Development & Core Values

    Jake Deane is the Co-Founder of True Lacrosse, one of the fastest-growing youth lacrosse organizations in the country. With nearly 20 years of experience in the game, Jake has dedicated his career to developing players, building programs, and creating pathways for athletes to succeed both on and off the field. Since its founding in 2008, True Lacrosse has expanded from grassroots clinics in Illinois to a national footprint with programs across the United States. The organization is focused on elite coaching, player development, and teaching life lessons that extend far beyond the field. With a โ€œplayer-focused, family-mindedโ€ philosophy, True Lacrosse has helped thousands of athletes achieve their goal of playing at the collegiate level while instilling the values of hard work, resilience, and teamwork. Jake shares the story of how True Lacrosse grew from a local idea into a national brand, the current challenges facing youth sports, and where he sees the future of lacrosse headed. 02:29 Growth and Evolution of True Lacrosse07:25 Taking Risks and Scaling the Business11:54 The Future of Youth Sports and Expansion Plans17:22 Current State of Youth Sports and Market Trends20:23 The Role of Private Equity in Youth Sports21:58 Professionalization of Youth Sports22:59 Conclusion and Future Opportunities

    25 min
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Insightful convos with the founders, operators, and investors transforming the future of sports.

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