The Profluence Pod 🌐

Kickback Soccer Media is a groundbreaking new media company founded by leading voices in American soccer. With the 2026 World Cup approaching, Kickback is on a mission to turn the moment into a movement—capturing casual viewers, creating culture, and redefining what it means to be a soccer fan in the U.S. Through three distinct platforms—Soccerwise for traditional coverage, Kickback Committee for creator-led content, and First Touc...

Erik Minnick is a General Partner at Versus Ventures, a pre-seed and seed-stage fund investing in the future of sports tech, gaming, and fintech.A former D1 wrestler turned developer and investor, Erik brings a rare mix of technical depth, competitive grit, and operator empathy to the table. Before co-founding Versus, he served as CIO at Andover Ventures, gaining experience on both sides of the startup-investor relationship.In this...

Paul Rigault is the CEO and co-founder of the Døds Diving League and Døds Federation, the global governing bodies behind one of the world’s fastest-growing extreme sports: Døds diving.

Originating in Norway, Døds—short for “Death Diving”—combines high diving with the flair of skateboarding and parkour. With massive splashes, aerial tricks, and fearless athletes, it’s become a viral hit among Gen Z and Gen Alpha.

In this episode, Paul...

Dr. Scott Goldman is a high performance and clinical psychologist with 25+ years of experience working with elite athletes and organizations in the NBA, NFL, MLB, and NCAA. His expertise extends across performance psychology, talent development, and organizational dynamics.

He’s also been a key advisor to the NCAA, co-authoring several mental health best practices and serving on its Mental Health Task Force. He holds fellow status ...

Jonas Mårtensson is the General Manager of Cleeks Golf Club, a team in the LIV Golf League. With a background as the former CEO of Mojang Studios (the creators of Minecraft) and co-founder of Happy Socks, Jonas brings deep experience in global brand building, consumer engagement, and innovation. Now, he’s applying that expertise to the world of professional golf.Cleeks Golf Club is more than a team — it’s a bold vision for the futu...

Anthony Dittmann is a master of reimagining live sports. With over 25 years producing televised events for ESPN, the NFL, and NBC, he’s now channeling that expertise into the creation of an entirely new sport: OmegaBall. Combining innovation, speed, and spectacle, OmegaBall throws out traditional soccer rules in favor of a high-energy, three-team format built for the next generation of fans.

From the red carpet at the ESPYs to laun...

Adam Cook, Vice President at Campus Ink Sports, brings a rare mix of athlete, educator, and entrepreneur. A former collegiate volleyball champion turned Northwestern faculty member, Cook has spent his career helping student-athletes transition into leadership and brand ownership.Backed by Mark Cuban, Campus Ink is pioneering NIL merchandising through The NIL Store—giving every college athlete the tools to monetize their name, image...

Glenn Schneider, CEO of SUSA FC, brings a unique blend of corporate leadership and grassroots passion to the youth soccer landscape. Under his direction, SUSA has grown into one of the most respected youth clubs in the country—focused not only on athletic excellence but also academic accountability, character building, and community engagement.SUSA FC isn’t just about developing elite players—it’s about shaping well-rounded individ...

Johnny Grave, CEO of Major League Cricket, brings decades of global sports leadership to one of the fastest-growing professional leagues in the U.S. With a background leading Cricket West Indies and shaping international tournaments—including the 2024 Men's T20 World Cup—Grave is now focused on building the premier cricket ecosystem in America.

Major League Cricket (MLC) is at a turning point. With growing fan bases, expanding c...

Taylor Meyer is a serial entrepreneur and the Managing Partner at Hyperspace Ventures. After successfully founding and exiting his first tech company while still a student-athlete, With advanced degrees from UNC and Harvard, his background blends deep technical knowledge with sharp business strategy.Hyperspace Ventures specializes in building web and mobile applications, digital infrastructure, and marketing systems, while also inv...

Marc Riccio, CEO of USA Lacrosse, brings decades of sports business experience from leadership roles at the New York Jets, Lagardère Sports, and more. Now leading the national governing body for lacrosse, he’s focused on expanding the sport’s reach, driving innovation, and strengthening its presence across the country.

Lacrosse is one of the fastest-growing sports in the U.S., and USA Lacrosse plays a central role in that growth. Wi...

Brag House is reshaping the college gaming landscape by blending community, culture, and casual esports into one inclusive platform. Focused on the Gen Z experience, the platform empowers casual gamers to connect, compete, and grow—while giving brands an authentic way to engage a generation that values voice, identity, and experience over hype.

LaVelle Juan, CEO and Co-Founder, brings a rare mix of athlete-driven grit and entreprene...

Ed Moed is helping redefine how sports brands grow—with clarity, creativity, and cultural relevance. As CEO of Hot Paper Lantern and its sports-focused division, Digital Sport, he’s leading a new wave of brand strategy that goes beyond hype to deliver trust, meaning, and results.Ed shares what today’s most successful sports organizations and startups get right about storytelling, how to avoid “shiny object syndrome,” and why intern...

Sam Porter is building one of the most uniquely diversified sports ownership portfolios in the world. As co-owner of Club Necaxa (Liga MX), Club Equidad (Colombian First Division), and the Brooklyn Aces (Major League Pickleball), he’s betting on the global and generational growth of sport as both a cultural force and financial asset.

With previous leadership roles at DC United and Swansea City AFC, and now as a Senior Advisor to Apo...

For more than three decades, Andres has been at the center of soccer’s rise in the United States. As the founder and daily host of Fútbol de Primera—the country’s longest-running syndicated soccer radio network—he’s helped shape how millions of fans experience the game. With exclusive U.S. radio rights to all FIFA tournaments, his network will broadcast this summer’s Concacaf Gold Cup, adding another milestone to its historic run.B...

Will Ventures is an early-stage venture capital firm built on the belief that sports are more than entertainment—they’re a launchpad for transformative consumer brands, emerging technologies, and cultural movements. With a hands-on approach and a powerful network of athletes, operators, and technologists, Will Ventures invests where passion meets performance.

Aaron Miller is an Investor at Will Ventures, focused on sourcing deals, e...

PressBox is redefining how sports organizations connect with fans—automating the creation of highly-personalized, sponsorable content across platforms. Born from the minds of former Bleacher Report engineers, the platform enables leagues to engage the Gen-Z audience by leaning into the athletes, creators, and cultural moments they care about most.

Brian Hough, Co-Founder & CEO, is a seasoned tech executive with roots at Bleacher...

ShotTracker is redefining how basketball is measured, experienced, and understood. Through a powerful combination of sensors and software, the platform delivers real-time stats on every shot, pass, and possession—helping coaches, players, scouts, and broadcasters make smarter decisions, faster. From youth gyms to elite programs, ShotTracker is building the future of in-game analytics and competitive intelligence.At the helm is Davy...

Tyton Partners is the leading advisory firm focused exclusively on the rapidly evolving Global Knowledge Sector. With a unique blend of investment bankers, strategy consultants, and sector operators, Tyton delivers actionable insights and strategic guidance to companies and investors shaping the future of education, human capital, and talent development—including the growing convergence with sports.Brian Feeney, Director at Tyton, ...