Under the Number

Dr. Jason Wersland is the founder of Therabody and inventor of the Theragun, the product that created the percussive therapy category. After losing his business to embezzlement, going through a divorce, and surviving a serious motorcycle accident, he built one of the most ubiquitous brands in wellness, used by pro athletes, training staffs, and households worldwide.On this episode of Under the Number, we cover:- Inventing a new category from a personal pain point- The Gatorade/Under Armour playbook for getting Theragun into athletes' hands- The Kyrie Irving NBA Finals moment that changed everything- Justin Timberlake, 2 Chainz, Jay-Z, and Daniel Craig as early investors- How COVID accelerated the wellness boom- The platformization of Therabody and where Coach + IRL activations fit nextRecorded on podcast row at PAC Accelerate in Phoenix.🏟️ Get off the sidelines ➡️ https://underthenumber.substack.com/🎥 Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/TZDJC8jN_bc?si=XFiu5edOgelf9sJf🎥 Watch on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/3mF0gdHLVtLRvkxTIeWATh?si=qf9EqhyPS4-yF30wv6P-Bw🎧 Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-crash-that-built-a-category-dr-jason/id1730764733?i=1000764104310Dr. Jason Wersland is the Founder and Chief Wellness Officer of Therabody, formerly known as Theragun, a leading global tech wellness company rooted in science and technology, based in Los Angeles, California. Dr. Jason’s Theragun story began in 2007 when he experienced a debilitating injury in a motorcycle accident. Necessity became the mother of invention, and he created something to help him deal with his pain. And that’s how Theragun was born. Dr. Jason dedicated eight years to developing five different prototypes, devoted to finding a solution that increases range of motion and decreases pain. In 2016, Theragun introduced the G1, its first product. In 2017, Theragun introduced the G2PRO and became the industry leader in percussive therapy. Dr. Jason’s quest for constant innovation drove to the release of the G3PRO in January 2019, and most recently its 4th generation percussive massage therapy devices, the Theragun PRO, Elite, Prime, and mini launched in May 2020.Theragun is now trusted by more than 250 professional sports teams worldwide, physical therapists, trainers, chiropractors, celebrities, athletes, and everyday people in over 60 countries. Most recently, Theragun rebranded to Therabody continuing its mission to provide natural wellness product solutions and in July 2020 launched its own U.S. grown CBD line, TheraOne — becoming the first brand to ever garner the USDA Certified Organic seal across its entire product line. As a chiropractor, Dr. Jason’s life’s work has always been about helping people feel their best, so they can live the life they were meant to live. Dr. Jason is passionate about wellness and is dedicated to constantly evolving science, research, and education around the subject and a huge part of that is learning from other’s experiences.Via Brand Innovators

🏟️ Get off the sidelines ➡️ https://underthenumber.substack.com/🎥 Watch on Spotify: 🎥 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zkKNhU71B2w🎧 Listen on Apple Podcasts:Terrence C. Murphy Sr. is the Founder and Managing Partner of Synergy Sports Capital, where he leads the firm’s investment strategy, deal sourcing, and platform development. He is also the CEO and Founder of Terrence Murphy Companies, through which he has started, acquired, or invested in over 100 companies across diverse industries. The company is headquartered in Bryan-College Station, Texas.A standout wide receiver at Texas A&M University, Terrence graduated in 2005 as a three-time Academic All-Big 12 Student-Athlete, two-time All-American, two-time Team Captain, two-time First-Team All-Big 12 honoree, and one of the most decorated players in school history. He was selected in the second round (58th overall) of the 2005 NFL Draft by the Green Bay Packers.Terrence remains deeply engaged in the sports ecosystem through board and advisory roles, including the MS Sport Business Analytics Founding Board at Texas A&M, Pro Athlete Community (PAC), and The Collectiv Sports Fund. He previously served on the boards of Ring Ventures (Alumni Ventures) and the Texas A&M Athletics 12th Man Finance Committee.Through his entrepreneurial ventures and investment activities, Terrence has cultivated an extensive network of athletes, ownership groups, brands, and operating partners. His companies have earned repeated recognition on the Inc. 5000 and Texas A&M Mays Business School Aggie 100 lists, underscoring a proven track record of building and scaling businesses within the sports economy.Via Synergy Sports Capital

🏟️ Get off the sidelines ➡️ https://underthenumber.substack.com/🎥 Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/vQy-LALb9fU🎥 Watch on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/7gQ1Fdx3ZQ7ZDPFiCSCSzc?si=cTX16Ru6QKOR1MUpd9zejA🎧 Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-golf-league-built-on-untapped-talent-grass-league/id1730764733?i=1000761282567The Grass League is the world’s first high stakes par 3 golf league, uniquely embracing both professional and amateur events in team-based formats. Grass League events are uniquely set on lighted par 3 courses with the flagship host site located in the Phoenix market. The League welcomes qualifiers, encouraging broad participation and the discovery of emerging talents.With teams divided by regional markets, the League drives a sense of rivalry and community involvement. This innovative approach to team ownership and competitive play marks an exhilarating new chapter in the world of golf.Via https://grassleague.com/

🏟️ Get off the sidelines ➡️ https://underthenumber.substack.com/🎥 Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/Id5c2Hgnfuc🎥 Watch on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/01s2wpeJrwOlM2w5TZ0480?si=AVc0pjPNSZWdRp4AHlBDLA 🎧 Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/unlocking-1-3-million-players-ryan-girardot-ceo-of/id1730764733?i=1000760051581Ryan Girardot is the Co-Founder & CEO of Cerebro Sports. Ryan started his journey in sports by building a statewide driveway basketball league in Texas. After building a team of co-founders including John Cho, VP of Data Analytics under Daryl Morey for the Houston Rockets for 20+ years, Cerebro grew to become the largest collection of basketball box score stats in the world.Now, Cerebro has a mission to democratize these stats, and provide the analytics and insights available in our database with consumers, athletes, and professionals alike.Via Cerebro Sports

🏟️ Get off the sidelines ➡️ https://underthenumber.substack.com/🎥 Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/1hE13HJyx_k 🎥 Watch on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/6u3LWIwiZwzLshYThm49K8?si=XS_dTlOmQmu6wBF05VWDPQ🎧 Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/under-the-number/id1730764733?i=1000757641478John Stewart is the CEO & Co-Founder of Fastbreak AI.John is a serial entrepreneur who began his career by founding an engineering services firm in 2003. After successfully exiting that business in 2009, he co-founded Saber Business Solutions, which evolved into MapAnything, a geospatial mapping and scheduling software company that was acquired by Salesforce in 2019. John has co-founded or invested in multiple SaaS startups, serves on several boards, and advises CEOs on business development and strategy. He holds a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Worcester Polytechnic Institute. ​Bio via Fastbreak AI

🏟️ Get off the sidelines ➡️ https://underthenumber.substack.com/🎥 Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/xdJTDwskI8Y🎥 Watch on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/2FnJjZsb1bjqpwgqZi9gcm?si=3ybJozooTZK3gPYXZ8RCwg🎧 Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/inside-the-%2456-billion-youth-sports-gold-rush-cameron/id1730764733?i=1000755113662Cameron Korab is Founder of Youth Sports Business Report and Co-Founder of Play Up Partners. Youth Sports Business Report is the largest and most trusted source for youth sports industry news, insights, and analysis.Trusted by over 50,000 followers including industry executives, investors, youth sports parents and sports business professionals, it is the premier destination for comprehensive youth sports business intelligence.The core mission: Make Youth Sports Better. As the leading authority in youth sports business reporting, we deliver unparalleled coverage of sports business trends, youth athletics, and emerging opportunities across the youth sports ecosystem.YSBR’s expert editorial team provides authoritative, in-depth reporting on key youth sports industry verticals including:Sports sponsorship and institutional capital (Private Equity, Venture Capital)Youth Sports events and tournament managementNIL (Name, Image, Likeness) developments and complianceYouth sports coaching and sports recruitment strategiesSports technology and data analytics innovationYouth sports facilities development and managementSports content creation and digital media monetizationWhether you’re a sports industry executive, institutional investor, youth sports parent, coach, or sports business enthusiast, Youth Sports Business Report is your most reliable source for the actionable sports business insights you need to stay ahead of youth athletics trends and make informed decisions in the rapidly evolving youth sports landscape.Bio via YSBR ( https://youthsportsbusinessreport.com/ )

🏟️ Get off the sidelines ➡️ https://underthenumber.substack.com/🎥 Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/xU0paT6HniQ?si=AWcgZySVIIA5Ouv2🎥 Watch on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/3mcJr0BCvI0trDA12qSLYy?si=hS40ospGSV27685zg8TNtg🎧 Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/redefining-how-athletes-give-back-kyle-rudolph-founder/id1730764733?i=1000753666019Kyle Rudolph is a 12-year NFL veteran, a 2x Pro Bowler, and the co-founder & CEO of Alltroo. Alltroo is a trusted professional fundraiser that helps charities supercharge their fundraising efforts and gain access to a new community of donors through custom giveaways, called Rallies. Rallies offer prizes with the biggest names in sports, music and entertainment. Fans can donate to a worthy cause or enter without donating and get entries for the chance to win.https://alltroo.com/

🏟️ Get off the sidelines ➡️ https://underthenumber.substack.com/🎥 Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/tH3eTHUNPeA🎥 Watch on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/3bZ2gELMbcniIBVaEEejQT?si=KJ5tshNDS-yUEznWypjyiw🎧 Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/unlocking-the-olympic-edge-in-nil-canopy-co-founder/id1730764733?i=1000751906673Jack Liechtung is a sports media operator, entertainment attorney, and co-founder/CEO of Canopy Talent, where they build NIL infrastructure for Olympic sports programs nationwide. Through Canopy, he helps universities and brands unlock new partnership opportunities by activating student-athletes as authentic creators, delivering compliant, team-wide campaigns that drive engagement and incremental revenue.www.canopytalent.com

🏟️ Get off the sidelines ➡️ https://underthenumber.substack.com/🎥 Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/7AiTsAwzXMI🎥 Watch on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/0wbR5QBKibT8oFdY51toa2?si=Ww8NPOD2R0euIWOrjaLcbA🎧 Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-untapped-tech-layer-in-a-%24100b-sport/id1730764733?i=1000750594039Will Johnson is the Founder & CEO of CourseCast, the first digital platform built into the golf course. CourseCast’s AI autonomously delivers Tour-quality video and statistics of everyday golf using hidden, solar-powered cameras —transforming any course into a lucrative engagement platform where golfers can watch, learn, and compete like never before. If Toptracer Range digitized practice, CourseCast is digitizing play.

🏟️ Get off the sidelines ➡️ https://underthenumber.substack.com/🎥 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j7qzNordlwE🎥 Watch on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/74MIgZUkdFTWh5HVI4i3PB?si=GPBGGlMRSIq9SGaPh-iWRg🎧 Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/she-shocked-the-tennis-world-at-15-now-shes-a/id1730764733?i=1000748538913CiCi Bellis leads the firm with a background that uniquely blends professional sports and venture capital. As a former professional tennis player who reached a career-high ranking of WTA #35, CiCi understands the demands and nuances of high-performance sports. After retiring from tennis, she spent four years working at a sports tech-focused venture capital firm, where she managed all deal flow operations, while also completing her MBA. In 2023, she leveraged this expertise to launch Cartan Capital, aiming to drive and shape innovation in sports and health tech.Bio via Cartan Capital

🏟️ Get off the sidelines ➡️ https://underthenumber.substack.com/🎥 Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/50-9naPS2mU🎧 Listen on Apple Podcasts: P. Ryan Petkoff is a dynamic leader, strategic advisor and consultant who partners with startups and legacy businesses to build solutions that create meaningful value. Ryan’s expertise as an operator and an advisor ranges from strategy development and execution to high-level marketing, communications and storytelling, capital raise and allocation, change management, crisis mitigation and executive coaching. With a rare combination of skills, Ryan’s “unicorn experience” means organizations can solve a variety of challenges with a single consultant. He excels in environments where he can wear multiple hats, driving impact across various functions, making him a perfect fit for startups or legacy businesses navigating growth, change or transformation. Most of all, Ryan cares deeply for people and connects well with what matters.Ryan is passionate about working with entrepreneurs because he thrives on building things. Whether it’s launching a new marketing initiative, managing a capital raise, or guiding a company through a crisis, he is energized by the opportunity to create something meaningful. He works with a select group of clients, prioritizing quality over quantity, where he can build deep and authentic relationships.Before launching his consulting practice, Ryan spent almost 20 years in the world of professional sports, where he helped transform the Kansas City Chiefs into one of the most successful franchises in global sports. As a top executive at Hunt Sports Group (the parent company of the Lamar Hunt family’s sports franchises), Ryan was “one of the driving leadership forces behind the Chiefs’ ascent to the top of the NFL” (Sports Business Journal). He spearheaded the Chiefs’ first international marketing initiative and led the team’s entry into the NFL’s global marketing program. By 2021, the Chiefs earned marketing rights to both Germany and Mexico, helping the team become one of the fastest-growing sports brands worldwide. He also was the primary advisor to Chiefs Chairman and CEO throughout the construction of the Chiefs dynasty.Now, Ryan channels his expertise, extensive network, and passion for building into helping innovative companies thrive and scale.Bio via Petkoff Strategies

🏟️ Get off the sidelines ➡️ https://underthenumber.substack.com/🎥 Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/8zHCw2ff4WA🎧 Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/college-sports-going-public-parker-graham-founder-ceo/id1730764733?i=1000746374770Parker Graham is the Founder & CEO of Vestible, a company that enables sports organizations to access global investment capital while allowing investors worldwide to participate in the future of sports. For more on Vestible, visit https://vestible.co/

🏟️ Get off the sidelines ➡️ https://underthenumber.substack.com/🎥 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zYVK9V1zJvQ🎥 Watch on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/4McF8ybLtUC0JVC3PDNC6R🎧 Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/why-athletes-dominate-business-michael-moe-founder/id1730764733?i=1000744851394Michael Moe is the Founder and CEO of GSV, a growth-focused investment platform. GSV has invested in game-changing businesses such as Facebook, Twitter, Snap, Palantir and Spotify. GSV has several funds focused on the digital learning sector and has invested in Coursera, Chegg, Course Hero, Masterclass, and Guild Education. GSV stands for “Global Silicon Valley,” inspired by the entrepreneurial mindset of Silicon Valley spreading throughout the world.Michael is also the co-founder of the ASU+GSV Summit, which Forbes called “the Davos of Education.” Additionally, Michael is on the Board of the National Football Foundation and the College Football Hall of Fame, Center for Education Reform, ClassDojo, Bookclub, Hi Solutions, and is an advisor to Arizona State University.Before GSV, Michael was the Founder and CEO of ThinkEquity Partners, Head of Global Growth Research at Merrill Lynch, and was voted to be on the Institutional All American Research Team and named "Best on the Street" by the Wall Street Journal.Michael is the author of three books, “Finding the Next Starbucks”, “the Global Silicon Valley Handbook” and his most recent, “The Mission Corporation.”Michael holds a B.A. in Political Science and Economics from the University of Minnesota and is a CFA (Chartered Financial Analyst). He and his wife Bonnie live in Dallas, Texas where they moved to in 2021 after living in Silicon Valley for twenty-five years.Bio via ASU GSV Summit

🏟️ Get off the sidelines ➡️ https://underthenumber.substack.com/🎥 Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/_Nt2YayUWhs🎧 Listen on Apple Podcasts:Jack Jones is the Co-Founder and Chief of Staff at SūmerSports. With a deep passion for football and a keen eye for business opportunities, Jack has built a career that leverages his analytical skills and industry insights. He worked for the San Francisco 49ers in various roles, gaining valuable experience and demonstrating his dedication to the sport.Bio via SūmerSports

🏟️ Get off the sidelines ➡️ https://underthenumber.substack.com/🎥 Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/IhzV_WHnOJ4🎧 Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/investing-in-dude-perfect-the-future-of-media/id1730764733?i=1000741051395Jason is the General Partner and Co-Founder of Highmount Capital, an investment firm specializing in growth-stage and middle-market opportunities within transformative technology and other high-growth sectors. Previously, he served as Managing Director and founding member of Koch Disruptive Technologies (KDT)—the venture and growth investment arm of Koch Industries, the largest privately held company in the U.S. with revenues exceeding $130 billion. During his tenure, Jason played a key role in expanding KDT’s portfolio to billions in assets under management across more than 40 companies.https://www.highmountcap.com/

🏟️ Get off the sidelines ➡️ https://underthenumber.substack.com/🎥 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=edPKhKmK7GQ&t=450s🎧 Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/inside-family-office-sports-investing-brian-kopp-ryan/id1730764733?i=1000739872109Brian is a Partner at Ryan Sports Ventures and the Founder of Stretch 4 Advisory. Through Stretch 4 Advisory, Brian provides strategic business services to sports technology and data companies including Riddell Sports, Wilson Sporting Goods, Peak Performance Project (P3), and FastModel Sports.Brian was previously Partner and Group CEO of Phoenix Sports Partners, a sports investment and operating company. Before his role at Phoenix, Brian served as President of North America for Catapult Sports, a global provider of sports analytics and performance products. Prior to Catapult, Brian served as Senior Vice President of Sports Solutions for STATS LLC. At STATS, Brian was responsible for the revolutionary SportVU player tracking technology as well as building innovative analytics solutions for NBA, NFL and NCAA teams. Prior to his career in sports business, Brian worked in investment banking and private equity before transitioning into corporate strategy and M&A roles.Brian received his BA in Economics from Wabash College, where he played basketball. He also received his MBA from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University. Brian resides in the Chicago area with his wife Rita and their five children.https://www.ryansportsventures.com/#Underthenumber #sports #venturecapital #vc #investing #startups #entrepreneurship #Tech #leadership #sportsbusiness #familyoffice

🏟️ Get off the sidelines ➡️ https://underthenumber.substack.com/ 🎥 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6A4O6sMc68gSeth Wickersham is a senior writer at ESPN whose primary focus is long form enterprise and investigative work on the National Football League. His stories have appeared across ESPN platforms.In more than two decades at ESPN, he has profiled the likes of Tom Brady, Peyton Manning, Bill Belichick, John Elway, Sean McVay, Andrew Luck, Odell Beckham, Jr., Bill Walsh, Jim Harbaugh, Alex Honnold, Gregg Popovich and Y.A. Tittle, among others, and he has written deep dives into strained relationships within the Cleveland Browns, Seattle Seahawks and the New England Patriots. Along with senior writer Don Van Natta, Wickersham has written critically acclaimed investigations on the NFL’s handling of the Spygate and Deflategate cheating controversies, the Rams and Raiders franchise relocations, the behind-closed-doors meetings on the inequality protests, the efforts by Jerry Jones to block Roger Goodell’s contract extension, the complicated tenure of NFLPA executive director DeMaurice Smith, the efforts of Donald Trump to interfere with Senator Arlen Specter’s Spygate inquiry, and of Dan Snyder’s attempts to avoid being removed as owner of the Washington Commanders. A 2022 story about Snyder by Wickersham, Van Natta, and Tisha Thompson is widely credited with triggering the push for him to sell the franchise.In 2018, Wickersham was a finalist for the National Magazine Award for Reporting, and has been part of a staff that has three times won the NMA for General Excellence. His stories have been anthologized in the Best American Magazine Writing, the Best American Sports Writing, Next Wave: America’s New Generation of Great Literary Journalists, and in Words Matter: Writing to Make a Difference. He has won awards from the National Association of Black Journalists and the Pro Football Writers Association. In 2015, he won a Folio Award for Best Single Story – Sports, and received a second-place National Headliner Award in Magazine Feature Writing.In the fall of 2021, Wickersham’s book It’s Better to Be Feared: The New England Patriots Dynasty and the Pursuit of Greatness was released. It was a New York Times bestseller and was named Nonfiction Book of the Year by Sports Illustrated and Sports Book of the Year by the National Sports Media Association.In the fall of 2025, Wickersham’s second book, American Kings: A Biography of the Quarterback, was released. It was a New York Times bestseller.https://www.amazon.com/American-Kings-Quarterback-Seth-Wickersham/dp/1368099181A collection of his ESPN work, Be on That Hill, will be published in the fall of 2026 by Hyperion Avenue.He is credited as playing himself in the 2014 movie Draft Day, though he regrets to inform that the scene was cut before it was shot.Wickersham was born in Denver and raised in Boulder and in Anchorage, Alaska. He attended the Missouri School of Journalism, where he and ESPN writer Wright Thompson covered Super Bowl XXXIV for the Columbia Missourian. He was hired at ESPN The Magazine shortly after graduation in 2000. He lives in Connecticut with his wife and two children.Bio via ESPN#Underthenumber #sports #leadership #quarterback #football #leadership #sportsbusiness #espn #business

🏟️ Get off the sidelines ➡️ https://underthenumber.substack.com/ Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/PaHg_pPAQEkWatch on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/0GfHKYlC8xQQ0lugJfBSAt?si=KzOuYicaRQ2WInjrOMRMXgWatch on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/team-ownership-x-real-estate-kyle-israel-managing-partner/id1730764733?i=1000736755566Kyle Israel is a Managing Partner at Momentous Sports, a next-generation sports ownership and investment platform reimagining how teams and stadiums drive enterprise value and community impact. A former quarterback for the University of Central Florida (UCF), Kyle brings hands-on expertise from his athletic career—where he was a starter and team leader for the Knights—and from his past entrepreneurial, investment, and operational roles.Kyle draws on both Florida roots and international experience, combining an operator’s perspective with a commitment to shaping the future of sports as an asset class.https://momentous-sports.com/#Underthenumber #sports #realestate #venturecapital #vc #investing #startups #entrepreneurship #Tech #leadership #sportsbusiness #fundraising

From Season 2 Episode 7 with Cooper Manning.https://open.spotify.com/episode/6zeCmtnNpdD96w0t5ybH9a?si=H8yfM62LQpWLU0FBeKsTDg

🏟️ Get off the sidelines ➡️ https://underthenumber.substack.com/ 🎧 Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/%24%24%24-from-drake-and-obj-to-reinvent-lost-found-skyler/id1730764733?i=1000735664034Skyler Logsdon is CEO & Co-Founder of Boomerang, a technology company on a mission to reinvent the way stadiums, arenas, airports, and hotels handle lost & found (item recovery). Prior to Boomerang, he was on the Founding team of Tatari and Co-Founder & CEO of MyKlips.https://thanksboomerang.com/

From Season 2 Episode 6 with Dr. Marcus Elliott, the founder of the Peak Performance Project (P3).

🏟️ Get off the sidelines ➡️ https://underthenumber.substack.com/ Neil Schwartz is President of SBRnet, Inc., with over 25 years of experience in sports marketing and consumer research. A recognized expert in fan and market analytics, he leads the Sports Market Analytics Platform, a key resource for universities, brands, and teams tracking fan engagement, consumer behavior, gambling, sponsorships, and merchandise trends.Previously, Neil directed research at the Sports & Fitness Industry Association (SFIA) and SportScanInfo from SportsOneSource, collaborating with major financial firms, global brands, and retailers to interpret shifts in the sports marketplace.He also co-founded the Get in the Game Sports Business Career Conference and hosts the My First Job in Sports Podcast, helping aspiring professionals enter the industry. A frequent conference speaker, Neil is known for translating complex data into clear, actionable insights across the sports business landscape.https://sportsmarketanalytics.com/

🏟️ Get off the sidelines ➡️ https://underthenumber.substack.com/ Ty Montgomery helps lead relationship development and investment support at Next Legacy. As part of both the network and investment teams, he focuses on building meaningful connections across the ecosystem, engaging athletes, LPs, GPs, and founders, while contributing to deal sourcing, diligence, and strategic community initiatives. Ty also plays an active role in advancing the firm’s signature programs and supporting athlete engagement across the platform.Before joining Next Legacy, Ty spent nine years in the NFL, beginning his career with the Green Bay Packers where he became widely known for his versatility on the field. During his playing career, he developed a deep passion for finance, sparked by the Parable of the Talents in the Book of Matthew. What began as angel investing soon evolved into a full-time calling.Ty graduated from Stanford University with a B.A. in Political Science. He grew up alongside more than 17 foster siblings and now serves on the board of Connections Homes, continuing his mission to support youth aging out of foster care through redemptive relationship, service, and mentorship.Outside of work, Ty is grounded by his faith and energized by adventure, sports, and helping others grow. He's always down for a trip, a conversation about Jesus, a round of golf, or discovering a new favorite restaurant.Bio via Next Legacy

Sean Clifford is currently a quarterback for the Green Bay Packers and a Penn State football legend, holding school records for passing yards, touchdowns, and wins. Clifford led Penn State to a 2023 Rose Bowl victory, in which he was named Offensive MVP.  Off the field, Sean co-founded Limitless NIL, a pioneering name, image, and likeness agency, which he successfully exited. He now invests alongside his brother Liam at Clifford Capital, leveraging his firsthand experience as an athlete and entrepreneur to spot and support innovative opportunities in sports, tech, and athlete-led businesses.

🏟️ Get off the sidelines ➡️ https://underthenumber.substack.com/ Wayne Kimmel is a sports tech venture capitalist, entrepreneur, podcast host, and author. He is the Managing Partner of SeventySix Capital, the venture capital company he founded in 1999 that invests in sports, media and entertainment companies.The Sports Business Journal named Kimmel a Sports Tech Power Player, Insider named him a Top Sports Venture Capitalist and was awarded the Most Admired CEO award from the Philadelphia Business Journal.Kimmel was an investor in VSiN, the sports betting media network (sold to DraftKings), Vigtory, an innovative sports betting tech platform (sold to FuboTV), C360, the pylon cam company (sold to Cosm), SeamlessWeb (sold to Aramark and now public as GrubHub), Take Care Health Systems (sold to Walgreens and became their healthcare clinics), and NutriSystem. He has also sold companies to Intel, IBM, and Yahoo.Kimmel also hosts the SeventySix Capital Sports Leadership Show, a podcast featuring the industry’s top entrepreneurs, athletes, and thought leaders.Kimmel is a graduate of the University of Maryland at College Park and the Delaware Law School. He is passionate about innovating the asset class of sports and working to make the world a better place.[Bio via SeventySix Capital]

🏟️ Get off the sidelines ➡️ https://underthenumber.substack.com/ Ben Gardner joined the Will Ventures team following a 5+ year stint at Andreessen Horowitz, where he built out the a16z consumer team’s go-to-market platform. During that time he worked as a strategic advisor for portfolio companies like Instacart, Lime, Sleeper, Substack, Levels Health, and Dapper Labs, among many others. He also built and managed a16z’s network of corporate executives and influencers across sports, media & entertainment, consumer brands, gaming, and talent agencies. Prior to his time at Andreessen Horowitz, Ben graduated from Stanford and was a captain of the Rose Bowl-winning football team. In 2014, he was drafted by the Dallas Cowboys and played 3 years in the NFL with the Cowboys and Chargers.Bio via Will Ventures

🏟️ Get off the sidelines ➡️ underthenumber.substack.comLindsay Barnett is the Founder and CEO of Playground Productions, the company that owns the Backyard Sports Franchise. Lindsay founded Playground after she spent close to a decade teaching second grade in a Chicago Public School in addition to manufacturing educational products. She gained national attention, as a semi-finalist on Live with Kelly and Ryan’s Top Teacher Search. Now, she has curated a slate of IP in the children's space and collaborates directly with authors and writers to ensure that Playground’s content will make families proud and kids love learning.Barnett received her Bachelor of Science in Communications: Radio, Television, and Film as well as an Interactive Arts and Entertainment Module from Northwestern University. She then earned her Master of Science in Education in Elementary Teaching at Northwestern.Bio via Playground ProductionsFollow Under the Number on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@UndertheNumberPod Follow Under the Number on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/underthenumberpod/Follow Under the Number on TikTok:https://www.tiktok.com/@underthenumberpod

🏟️ Get off the sidelines ➡️ underthenumber.substack.comChristopher “Chip” Paucek is a visionary leader and seasoned entrepreneur who has dedicated his career to revolutionizing education and empowering individuals to pursue life-changing opportunities. As the Co-founder and Co-CEO of Pro Athlete Community (PAC), Paucek spearheads connecting the biggest talent in sports with unparalleled educational resources, experiences, and vital personal connections, ultimately enabling them to passionately pursue and shape their futures.Prior to becoming co-CEO of PAC, Paucek served as Co-Founder and CEO of 2U, Inc. During his 16-year tenure, Paucek architected the education technology company into one of the world’s largest online education providers, led a successful IPO in 2013, and grew the company to nearly $1 billion in annual revenue. His contributions earned him multiple accolades including the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award, Goldman Sachs’s Most Intriguing Entrepreneurs Award, and recognition as one of America’s best chief executives by Institutional Investor magazine.Paucek’s entrepreneurial journey began in 1993 when he co-founded Cerebellum Corporation, known for its award-winning PBS television show, Standard Deviants. He also served as CEO of Hooked on Phonics and managed the successful re-election campaign of U.S. Senator Barbara Mikulski in 2004.With a BA from George Washington University and an MBA from the University of North Carolina Kenan-Flagler Business School, Paucek is an active speaker on entrepreneurship and the global education and technology landscape. While Chip lives in Annapolis, MD with his wife (Gabbi), they stay closely connected to their two sons (Noah and Henry) at Syracuse University through a shared love of all things dogs, Florida, and the Miami Dolphins.Bio via Pro Athlete Community (PAC)

Cooper Manning is a Senior Managing Director at AJ Capital and is entering his 11th year as the host of “The Manning Hour” on FOX NFL Kickoff. He is the oldest son of former professional football quarterback Archie Manning, the older brother of Super Bowl champion quarterbacks Peyton Manning Eli Manning, and the father of current University of Texas quarterback Arch Manning.Manning was an all-state standout wide receiver at Isidore Newman High School in New Orleans. He accepted a scholarship to the University of Mississippi before his promising football career was cut short upon his diagnosis with spinal stenosis prior to his freshman season in 1992.Bio via FOX Sports

Marcus Elliott is the Founder & Director of the Peak Performance Project (P3). Dr. Elliott is a Harvard trained physician specializing in performance enhancement and the development of elite athletes. As Founder and Director of P3, he is dedicated to applying cutting edge science for optimal athletic achievement. He has trained some of the world’s best athletes including those at the U.S. Olympic Training Center, the Australian Institute of Sport, and the Sports Science Institute of South Africa. Since 1998, Dr. Elliott’s primary focus has been on peak performance and injury prevention in U.S. professional power-based sports, including baseball, basketball, football, and soccer. Recently, Dr. Elliott was appointed the 12th Annual Augustus Thorndike Lecturer at Harvard Medical School for his pioneering work in sports science. As the 2019 Thorndike professor, he joins a handful of other luminaries in sports medicine, including Dr. James R. Andrews (2012), Dr. Neal S. ElAttrache (2014), Dr. David W. Altcheck (2016).Starting in 1999 and continuing through their Super Bowl drive, Dr. Elliott was the physiologist and injury prevention specialist to the NFL’s New England Patriots. He was widely credited with reducing muscle injuries in the Patriots and has completed NFL sponsored research leading to recommendations on optimal conditioning and injury prevention strategies. He is also a sports science consultant for a number of professional organizations, and was Major League Baseball’s first-ever Director of Sports Science and Performance with the Seattle Mariners.Dr. Elliott is an internationally renowned leader in the field of sports science, a highly acclaimed speaker and serves on several boards in the sports and performance nutrition fields. He resides in Santa Barbara with his wife Nadine and three children.Learn more about P3 at www.p3.md Follow Under the Number on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/underthenumberpod/

Yogi Roth is a Big Ten Network college football analyst and the founder of Y-Option. He has been driven by the power of sports and story for over 20 years, as an on-air college football analyst, Elite 11 coach, Emmy Award-winning filmmaker, and New York Times and Amazon best-selling author. A former Pitt wide receiver and USC coach, he is also a motivational speaker, tv and event host, and world traveler. To talk football, family, and storytelling, connect with him @YogiRoth.Subscribe to Y-Option on Substack at www.y-option.comFollow Under the Number on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/underthenumberpod/

This conversation was recorded in March 2025.Andrew Phillips is a former college football player (Stanford, 2006-2010) and the VP of Partnerships at Fanstake. Founded in 2024, Fanstake is the preeminent NIL team-building platform built by fans for fans to pledge money to recruit and retain athletes at their favorite colleges. Fanstake was founded by Greg Glass, Alex Boisvert, and Donnie Flood. The three were part of the founding and executive team of Bizo, an AdTech company that was acquired by LinkedIn in 2014 for $175M. They have since held senior leadership positions at multiple Unicorn companies (Alex Boisvert - former CTO of Headspace), (Donnie Flood - former CTO of Guild). Fanstake is based out of San Francisco. For more information, go to www.fanstake.com.Follow Under the Number on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/underthenumberpod/

Former NFL quarterback Christian Ponder opens up about his path from Florida State to being selected 12th overall by the Vikings, and his 6-year career in the league. In a candid conversation about life after sports, he shares why the hardest part of retiring wasn't leaving the game - it was losing the locker room culture and team environment. That insight led him to create The Post, a community helping elite athletes thrive in their next chapter. Ponder discusses the unique challenges athletes face post-career, why traditional networking falls short, and how bringing competitors together is creating something powerful beyond the game.www.thepost.coFollow Under the Number on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/underthenumberpod/

Austin Ekeler is a standout NFL running back known for his remarkable rise from undrafted free agent to star performer with the Los Angeles Chargers and now the Washington Commanders. Before his NFL breakthrough, he excelled at Western Colorado, where he posted elite production at the division II program. In this episode, Austin shares his journey from small-town beginnings to becoming one of the league’s most versatile and productive backs, earning a reputation for both his on-field achievements and off-field leadership.We dive into his latest venture, Eksperience, platform designed to help communities manage their content in order to maximize their Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) opportunities and build their personal brands. Austin discusses how Eksperience empowers athletes to connect with fans, monetize their influence, and create lasting impact beyond the game. We explore how he’s leveraging his NFL experience and entrepreneurial mindset to support the next generation of athletes.We explore how he’s leveraging his NFL experience and entrepreneurial mindset to support the next generation of athletes. Tune in to hear how Austin Ekeler is redefining what it means to succeed as a professional athlete—both on the field and in the business world.www.eksperience.iohttps://www.instagram.com/underthenumberpod/

Marques Colston is a former NFL star best known for his legendary career with the New Orleans Saints, where he became the franchise’s all-time leading receiver and a Super Bowl champion. Before his NFL success, he excelled at Hofstra University as a standout wide receiver. In this episode, Marques discusses his journey from the gridiron to the business world, including his latest venture, Champion Venture Partners, a sports-centric holding company. We explore how he’s leveraging his experience to invest in and support innovative businesses. Tune in to hear how Marques continues to redefine success beyond the game.www.championventurepartners.comhttps://www.instagram.com/underthenumberpod/

Brent Peus and Christopher Lane break down this year's 12-team college football playoff and recap Brent's experience at the the 2024 College Football Hall of Fame Induction dinner in Las Vegas.

Kenyan Drake is a former NFL running back who spent eight years in the league, spending notable time with the Miami Dolphins, Arizona Cardinals, Las Vegas Raiders, and Baltimore Ravens. Drake was a standout at the University of Alabama from 2012-2016, where he was a part of two national championship teams. Drake finished his NFL career with 3,866 rushing yards, 1,655 receiving yards, and 41 total touchdowns. Tune in to hear Drake's insights on his journey from Alabama to the NFL, memorable plays like the "Kick Six" and the "Miami Miracle", and what's next after retiring from football in 2024.

Max Browne is a former 5-star quarterback from Skyline High School in Sammamish, Washington and was America's #1 high school football recruit in the class of 2013. Browne committed to the University of Southern California and played for the Trojans from 2013-2016. After being benched three games into the 2016 season, Browne transferred to the University of Pittsburgh. At Pitt, one week after a stellar performance that earned him ACC Offensive Back of the Week honors, Browne suffered a career-ending labrum tear in his shoulder. Today, Browne lives in Los Angeles where he now works in real estate while creating content and pursuing the goal of becoming a broadcaster.

Zack Oliver is the Co-founder & CFO of Matchpoint Connection, a Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) platform that matches college athletes with businesses and brands. Before starting Matchpoint, Zack worked on Wall Street and played quarterback at Northwestern University.

Lewis Burik is the Co-Founder and COO of DubClub (www.dubclub.win) and a former Stanford linebacker. DubClub is an online ecosystem where sports cappers and their community Win More Together.

Keller Chryst was a 5-star quarterback recruit out of Palo Alto High School in the class of 2014. From 2014 to 2017, Chryst was at Stanford University, where he went 11-2 as a starter and was a team captain in 2017. Following Stanford, Chryst transferred to the University of Tennessee in his final year of eligibility. Following his father's (and uncle's, and grandfather's) footsteps, he has now transitioned to coaching. Chryst is currently an offensive assistant with the University of Iowa Hawkeyes.

Brandon Dawkins was a highly touted recruit from Oaks Christian High School who played quarterback at the University of Arizona from 2014-2017. After his tenure with the Wildcats, he graduate transferred to Indiana University with his final year of eligibility. One week before the 2018 season began, Dawkins abruptly announced that he was leaving the team and stepping away from football all together, citing significant mental health challenges. Today, he is once again involved in the world of sports as a member of the athlete relations group at Adidas.

Jake Browning is a quarterback for the Cincinnati Bengals. Before joining the professional ranks, he had a prolific career at the University of Washington, where he broke numerous school records, was named the Pac-12 Offensive Player of the Year (2016), and led the team to a College Football Playoff appearance. Prior to his collegiate success, Browning had the most prolific high school football career in California state history. He broke state and national records during his time at Folsom High School, where he threw for over 16,000 yards and 229 touchdowns, led the school to a state championship in 2014, and was a 2x Gatorade Player of the Year.

Ricky Miezan was the top lacrosse recruit in the country in high school before accepting a football scholarship from Stanford University. There, Miezan became a starting inside linebacker and team captain. With his final year of collegiate eligibility, Miezan entered the portal as a lacrosse player and transferred to the University of Virginia where he played the 2023 season for the Cavaliers. Today, Miezan is a member of the California Redwoods of the PLL and is completing his graduate studies at UVA’s McIntire School of Commerce. 

Jacob Eason is a former 5-Star recruit and was the #1 quarterback in the nation in the class of 2016. After starting as a true freshman at the University of Georgia and injuring his LCL his sophomore year, Eason transferred to the University of Washington in 2018. There, he threw for well over 3,000 yards in the 2019 season before declaring for the 2020 NFL draft, where he was selected in the fourth round by the Indianapolis Colts. He is currently an NFL free agent.

Donald Stewart is a former Stanford and Wake Forest wide receiver who has showcased his talent and dedication both on and off the field. In this podcast episode, Stewart discusses his impressive college career, including his role in Wake Forest's historic 11-win season, his time at Stanford, and his unique recruiting process out of Paramus Catholic High School in New Jersey.

Miller Moss is a quarterback at the University of Southern California. In 2023, he was named MVP of the Holiday Bowl after throwing for 372 yards and 6 touchdowns in his first collegiate start. Prior to USC, Miller was a 4-star recruit at Bishop Alemany High School, where he earned scholarship offers from Alabama, Michigan, LSU, UCLA, and others.

Bryce Love played running back for Stanford University from 2015-2019. In 2017, he won the Doak Walker Award for the best running back in the nation, Pac-12 Offensive Player of the Year, received consensus All-American honors, set multiple Stanford records, and was the runner-up for the Heisman Trophy. Prior to Stanford, Love was a four-star recruit out of Wake Forest High School in North Carolina.

Trenton Irwin is a wide receiver for the Cincinnati Bengals in the 6th year of his NFL career. Trenton played college football at Stanford University, where he won a Rose Bowl. Before Stanford, he was an Army All-American and 5-star recruit at Hart High School, where he set California state records for career receptions and receiving yards.

Brady White was a 10,000+ yard passer as quarterback of the University of Memphis Tigers, where he led the team to the most single-season wins in program history in 2019. In 2020, he won the William V. Campbell Trophy, an award that recognizes the player who best exemplifies success in academics, football performance, and community leadership. Before Memphis, he was a quarterback at Arizona State University. A four-star recruit with 40+ offers out of high school, Brady was an Army All-American selection and a member of the Elite 11 class of 2014. In January of 2024, Brady returned to Arizona State as a member of the Sun Devils football coaching staff.