The Profluence Pod 🌐

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

  1. #302: Steve Bellamy, Tipti - The Future of Racket Sports Starts Here

    2 DAYS AGO

    #302: Steve Bellamy, Tipti - The Future of Racket Sports Starts Here

    Steve Bellamy is founder of Tipti, creator of The Tennis Channel, and a lifelong pioneer in racket sports. From coaching world-class athletes to leading Kodak and now launching an entirely new sport, Steve shares the journey behind Tipti and why he believes it could reshape how the world plays and experiences racket sports. Steve breaks down the origin story of Tipti—from a simple workaround at a junior tennis camp to a fast-growing global movement. He explains how the sport blends elements of tennis and badminton, why it thrives on existing pickleball infrastructure, and how it unlocks a more dynamic, engaging, and accessible playing experience. We also dive into his unique philosophy: building for the love of the game, not just financial outcomes. Beyond the product, this conversation explores what it really takes to build a sport from the ground up. From assembling a high-value investor network to creating viral, shareable gameplay moments, Steve shares insights on scaling, storytelling, and why racket sports may be one of the most resilient opportunities in a rapidly changing, AI-driven world. Podcast Chapters: 01:00 Steve's Journey in Racket Sports 03:42 The Concept and Development of Tipti 06:36 Educating Players and Clubs about Tipti 09:14 Steve's Vision for Racket Sports 12:40 Steve's Passion for Racket Sports 14:50 Leveraging Storytelling in Marketing Tipti 19:08 Building a Strong Investor Base 25:28 International Expansion and Infrastructure

    35 min
  2. #301: Henrik Teisbæk, Veo Technologies - Why 99% of Sports Was Never Filmed Until Now

    4 DAYS AGO

    #301: Henrik Teisbæk, Veo Technologies - Why 99% of Sports Was Never Filmed Until Now

    Henrik Teisbæk, co-founder of Veo, joins the Profluence Sports Podcast to share how his company is transforming the way sports are captured, analyzed, and experienced around the world. What started as a simple idea—making it possible for everyday athletes to relive their moments—has grown into a global platform used by over 50,000 clubs across 100+ countries. Henrik breaks down how Veo’s portable camera and AI-powered software are democratizing access to video, turning every game into a source of insight, development, and lasting memories. Diving deeper, Henrik explains the journey of building Veo from Denmark into a global sports tech leader, navigating the complexities of hardware, supply chain, and international expansion. He shares lessons on scaling across markets, building a product for multiple sports, and creating a system that serves both elite clubs and grassroots teams. From empowering coaches with better tools to unlocking data-driven development for athletes, Veo sits at the intersection of sports, technology, and accessibility. This episode explores the bigger picture of where sports tech is headed—from AI-powered insights and automated video breakdowns to the growing importance of authentic, real-world experiences in an increasingly digital world. Henrik and Andrew discuss why youth sports remain one of the most important and underutilized ecosystems globally, and how platforms like Veo are shaping the future of participation, storytelling, and performance in sports. Podcast Chapters: 02:11 The Evolution of Youth Sports Technology 08:15 Building a Global Company from Denmark 10:34 Understanding Customer Needs in Different Markets 14:14 Navigating Challenges in Product Development 18:21 Fundraising Journey and Investor Perspectives 21:05 The Role of AI in Sports Technology 24:29 Future Trends in Sports and Technology

    27 min
  3. #300: Justin Hoveler, President of U.S. Sports Camps - Building a Sports Empire Through Camps

    25 MAR

    #300: Justin Hoveler, President of U.S. Sports Camps - Building a Sports Empire Through Camps

    Justin Hoveler, President of U.S. Sports Camps, has spent his life immersed in athletics, growing up in a family that helped pioneer the youth camp industry nearly 50 years ago. From playing multiple sports as a kid to competing in college and working across the sports ecosystem, Justin brings a deeply personal and professional perspective to youth development. His journey—from early exposure to camps to leading one of the most established platforms in the space—reflects a lifelong commitment to keeping sports accessible, impactful, and fun for the next generation. Today, Justin leads U.S. Sports Camps under the broader Youth Enrichment Brands umbrella, working with top coaches and partners to deliver best-in-class camp experiences across the country and globally. The organization focuses on creating environments where kids can explore sports without pressure, develop skills, and build confidence. With a strong emphasis on multi-sport participation, local accessibility, and coach-led experiences, Justin and his team are navigating industry shifts—from rising costs and early specialization to NIL pressures and emerging sports like flag football—while staying rooted in their core mission: keeping kids engaged in sports through joy and discovery. In this episode, Justin joins Profluence podcast to unpack the evolving youth sports landscape; from the importance of fun and experimentation to the realities of commercialization, cost, and participation decline. They explore how camps serve as a critical entry point for young athletes, the balance between innovation and fundamentals, and how organizations can better support coaches and parents alike. The conversation also dives into global expansion, emerging sports trends, and why the future of sports depends on creating positive, inclusive experiences that keep kids playing longer.

    31 min
  4. #299: Richard Odell, Masters Academy International (MAI) - The Future of Sports Education

    23 MAR

    #299: Richard Odell, Masters Academy International (MAI) - The Future of Sports Education

    Richard Odell is a seasoned leader in education, arts, and sports development, with a career spanning institutions like IMG Academy, Spire Academy, Interlochen Center for the Arts, and the Chicago Academy for the Arts. With a unique background that bridges both the arts and athletics, Odell has spent decades shaping environments that prioritize holistic student growth and long-term success. He is now the driving force behind Masters Academy International (MAI), a next-generation institution based in the Boston area that reimagines how young athletes are developed. MAI combines elite sports training, rigorous academics, personal development, and career preparation into one integrated model — giving students the opportunity to pursue both playing and non-playing careers in sports, from medicine to media. In this episode, we dive into the future of education, the shortcomings of traditional school systems, and why a more personalized, real-world learning approach is critical. Odell shares insights from his experience at IMG and Spire, the vision behind MAI, and how this model could reshape both sports and education for the next generation. Podcast Chapters: 00:59 The Birth of Masters Academy International (MAI) 07:31 Innovative Educational Structure at MAI 12:55 The Future of Education and Its Challenges 17:16 Bridging the Gap in Education 22:34 The Role of Confidence in Learning 30:03 The Vision for MAI and Its Impact

    33 min
  5. #298: Alec Boccanfuso & Charles LaRosa, Gabelli - Breaking Down the Sports Investment Landscape

    18 MAR

    #298: Alec Boccanfuso & Charles LaRosa, Gabelli - Breaking Down the Sports Investment Landscape

    Alec Boccanfuso and Charles LaRosa are part of the investment team at Gabelli Funds, where they focus on identifying opportunities across the evolving sports, media, and entertainment landscape. Alec specializes in communications services and technology, with a focus on interactive entertainment and outdoor leisure, while Charles leads the firm’s ETF initiatives, overseeing strategy, product development, and distribution.Together, they are helping shape one of the more innovative approaches to sports investing through the development of a Sports ETF—designed to give investors exposure to the broader sports ecosystem. Their work spans public markets, covering everything from teams and leagues to media rights, gaming, and live entertainment, offering a diversified way to participate in the growth of the industry.In this episode, they join the conversation to break down how the sports ecosystem is defined from an investment perspective, why ETFs are becoming an attractive vehicle for accessing sports assets, and where they see the biggest opportunities emerging globally. They also share insights on market trends, the role of live entertainment, and how investors should think about long-term value creation in sports.Podcast Chapters:02:30 Defining the Sports Ecosystem05:23 Investment Strategy and Portfolio Holdings07:46 The Appeal of ETFs in Sports Investment10:31 Market Trends and Future Opportunities13:33 Global Perspective on Sports Assets 16:05 Challenges and Rebuttals in Sports Investment 18:43 Long-term Vision and Market Dynamics 21:42 The Role of Live Entertainment in Sports 24:20 Conclusion and Future OutlookProfluence Sports:🏠 Website: https://profluence.com🐣 Twitter: https://twitter.com/andrewpetcash💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewpetcash/Gabelli: 🏠 Website: https://www.gabelli.com/💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/investgabelli/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/investgabelliThanks for listening! Hit the “follow” button to stay updated on new podcasts.

    36 min
  6. #297: Bobby Sharma, Bluestone Equity Partners - How Private Equity Is Transforming the Sports Industry

    16 MAR

    #297: Bobby Sharma, Bluestone Equity Partners - How Private Equity Is Transforming the Sports Industry

    Bobby Sharma is the Founder and Managing Partner of Bluestone Equity Partners, an institutional private equity firm focused on investing across the global sports, media, and entertainment ecosystem. Over the past two decades, he has built a reputation as one of the most experienced operators and investors in the industry, working across finance, strategy, league operations, and global sports development. Before launching Bluestone, Sharma held leadership roles across several of the most influential organizations in sports. He served as Global Head of Basketball and Strategic Initiatives at IMG, where he helped expand sports businesses worldwide, developing leagues, academies, and media rights strategies across emerging markets including India, China, Brazil, and Africa. Earlier in his career, he spent nearly a decade helping build the NBA G League while working closely with the National Basketball Association on league operations, franchise development, and global strategy. In this episode of the Profluence Sports Podcast, Bobby joins Andrew Petcash to discuss the evolution of sports as a global investment category, how private equity evaluates opportunities across leagues, media, and technology, and what founders should understand when building scalable businesses in the sports ecosystem. Podcast Chapters: 02:27 Transitioning from Operations to Investment 04:50 The Role of Networking in Sports 07:11 Insights on Institutional Investment in Sports 10:07 Understanding the LP Perspective 12:33 The Complexity of Sports Investments 15:04 Emerging Trends in Sports and Entertainment 17:20 Investment Strategies and Portfolio Construction 19:54 Future of Sports Investments 22:37 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

    38 min
  7. #296: Joe Hollywood, Whatnot - Inside the World of Sports Card Breaking

    11 MAR

    #296: Joe Hollywood, Whatnot - Inside the World of Sports Card Breaking

    Joe Hollywood is the founder and host of one of the top sports collectibles shows on Whatnot, where he has built a massive community around live sports card breaking and memorabilia. What started as selling cards next to a hot water heater in his basement has grown into a full-scale operation with nearly 40 employees and live shows that attract thousands of collectors and fans. Through his platform, Joe has helped transform the sports collectibles experience into an interactive, community-driven form of live entertainment.Known for his high-energy broadcasts and deep knowledge of the collectibles market, Joe has become a leading voice in the world of sports cards and memorabilia. His shows feature rare pulls, major giveaways, and a loyal community of collectors who tune in daily. By combining live commerce, storytelling, and fan engagement, Joe has helped push sports collectibles into a new era of digital-first fandom.In this episode of the Profluence Sports Podcast, Joe joins Scott to share his journey into the collectibles world, the growth of card breaking, and how platforms like Whatnot are reshaping the sports memorabilia market. They discuss the rise of live commerce, the global expansion of the collectibles industry, and why community has become the most valuable asset in the space.Podcast Chapters:02:49 Understanding Card Breaking and Community Building05:21 The Evolution of Collectibles and Their Value08:22 The Intersection of Physical and Digital Collectibles11:21 Transitioning from Hobby to Business16:43 Building Community and Real-World Impact19:30 Bridging Digital Engagements to In-Person Experiences22:04 Building Connections and Community in Sports Memorabilia24:26 Nostalgia and Legacy in Sports28:04 The Mechanics of a Successful Memorabilia Business32:16 Emerging Trends in the Memorabilia Market36:19 Unforgettable Moments in Memorabilia Collecting

    43 min
  8. #295: Miles Chamley-Watson & Leo Rifkind - Building the World Fencing League

    9 MAR

    #295: Miles Chamley-Watson & Leo Rifkind - Building the World Fencing League

    Fencing is one of the oldest Olympic sports — but until now, it has never had a true professional league. In this episode of the Profluence Sports Podcast, Andrew Petcash sits down with Miles Chamley-Watson, Olympic medalist and three-time Olympian, and Leo Rifkind, investor and co-founder of the World Fencing League, to discuss their mission to bring fencing into the modern sports landscape. The conversation explores how the World Fencing League plans to transform fencing from a niche Olympic sport into a scalable global league. By introducing AI blade-tracking technology, evolving competition formats, and creating a clear economic pathway for athletes, the WFL aims to make fencing easier for fans to understand while providing professional opportunities for elite competitors. Miles and Leo also share how they’re building the league from the ground up — from athlete recruitment and rule experimentation to media strategy and brand partnerships. With the WFL debut event set to launch in Los Angeles, the episode highlights the broader vision to bring fencing into the mainstream and create a new era for one of sport’s most historic disciplines. Podcast Chapters: 02:29 The Evolution of Fencing and Technology 05:04 Understanding the Fencing Ecosystem 10:38 The Future of Fencing: Opportunities and Challenges 16:03 Innovations in Fencing: Rule Changes and Audience Engagement 21:32 Commercialization and Branding in Fencing 26:50 Looking Ahead: The Future of the World Fencing League Miles and Leo: Website: https://worldfencingleague.org/ Socials: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leo-rifkind/ https://www.instagram.com/fencer/?hl=en https://www.instagram.com/worldfencingleague/?hl=en

    30 min
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About

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

Information

  • Creator
    Andrew Petcash
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2026
  • Episodes
    367
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Andrew Petcash
  • Show Website
    The Profluence Pod 🌐

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