The Profluence Pod 🌐

Phoenix Capital Ventures (PCV) is an early-stage venture capital firm investing in the future of sports, gaming, human performance, and immersive media. The firm partners with bold founders at the earliest stages, backing those obsessed with solving real problems in and around the sports ecosystem.Adam Lewites is Managing Director at PCV. He began his career as a college basketball coach before entering the startup world as a founding team member at Insightpool. Adam later helped scale several Atlanta-based startups and played a key role in launching Endeavor Atlanta, a global network supporting high-impact entrepreneurs. Today, he combines his deep operational experience with a passion for sports innovation to help founders build category-defining companies.

Chapters:

(02:17) The Journey from Founder to Investor

(04:39) Understanding the Founder-Investor Dynamic

(07:13) The Importance of Founder Obsession

(09:55) Optimism in Sports Investment

(12:31) Phoenix Capital Ventures: Investment Strategy

(14:49) Navigating Dilution and Pro Rata Rights

(17:01) Current Trends in Sports and Entertainment

(19:18) The Future of Sports and Technology

(21:41) Prosumer Trends in Sports

(24:12) Conclusion and Future Outlook

Adam Lewites:

🏠 Website: https://pcv.fund/

💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adam-lewites-70482253/

Andrew Petcash:

🏠 Website: https://profluence.com

🐣 Twitter: https://twitter.com/andrewpetcash

💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewpetcash/

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Angella Goran is a lifelong athlete, former professional cyclist, and visionary behind The Power Hour — a global movement to get millions of people moving at the exact same time in a unified, measurable act of wellness. What started as a personal legacy project in honor of her father has grown into an international initiative backed by Strava, Snap Fitness, and Allegiant Stadium, aiming to break a Guinness World Record while promoting physical, mental, and financial wellbeing across the globe.With a deep background in sport, entrepreneurship, and social impact, Angella is setting a new standard for how we activate communities through movement. The Power Hour is about more than just fitness — it’s about collective energy, equitable access, and creating a ripple effect of health that touches every corner of society.

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction to Angella Goran and Power Hour

02:47 The Genesis of Power Hour

05:37 Participation and Global Impact

08:41 Goals and Vision for Power Hour

11:26 Final Thoughts and Call to Action

Angella Goran:

🏠Website: https://www.tapango.com/

💼LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/angella-g-b382369/

Scott Garber:

🏠 Website: https://profluence.com

💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sgarber40/

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Relay Ventures is an early-stage venture capital firm backing exceptional founders at the intersection of SportsTech, gaming, and media. With deep roots across North America, Relay brings a hands-on approach that goes beyond capital—supporting entrepreneurs with strategic networks, operational expertise, and industry insight.

As a co-founder of the firm, John Albright focuses exclusively on the evolution of sports and its adjacent markets, including athlete performance, fan engagement, and digital media. From emerging leagues to transformative technologies, he shares perspectives on what’s driving the next era of innovation and how Relay Ventures evaluates founders, markets, and long-term opportunities.
03:04 Investment Strategies in Early-Stage Sports Tech
06:02 Evaluating Founders and Market Potential
09:01 The Donut of Sports: Connecting Teams and Solutions
11:48 Emerging Sports and Revenue Generation
14:50 Concerns in the Sports Investment Landscape
20:00 The Future of Sports Investments and Player 12
26:45 Closing Thoughts and Opportunities

John Albright🏠 Website:⁠ https://relay.vc/💼 LinkedIn:⁠ https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnlalbright/Andrew Petcash:🏠 Website:⁠ https://profluence.com⁠🐣 Twitter:⁠ https://twitter.com/andrewpetcash⁠💼 LinkedIn:⁠ https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewpetcash/⁠

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Steve Delsohn is the founder of Delsohn Strategies, a boutique communications firm helping top executives and founders secure impactful national media exposure. With a background as a Peabody Award–winning investigative reporter at ESPN’s Outside the Lines, Delsohn brings decades of experience in journalism, authorship, and documentary storytelling to the world of strategic PR.

Having written 12 books and produced content for 30 for 30 and the History Channel, Delsohn now works behind the scenes to craft compelling narratives, elevate personal brands, and pitch stories that resonate. His firm specializes in positioning leaders at the intersection of sports, business, and media—helping them authentically connect with the audiences that matter most.

Chapter:
02:58 Transition from Journalism to PR
06:01 The Role of Media Coverage in PR
08:53 Building Personal Brands for Founders
12:06 The Importance of Authenticity in Interviews
15:09 Criteria for Successful PR Engagements
17:58 Crafting Effective Media Pitches
20:58 Current Trends in Sports and Sports Tech
24:01 Emerging Leagues and Youth Sports
26:58 Closing Thoughts and Contact Information

The Cynosure | Checketts Sports Capital Fund is a newly launched $1.2B private equity fund focused on investing in sports franchises and related assets around the world. Led by longtime sports executive Dave Checketts and backed by the Eccles family of Utah, the fund aims to shape the next generation of global sports ownership, operations, and media engagement.

Dave Checketts has spent a lifetime in sports leadership—from serving as team president of the New York Knicks and Utah Jazz to founding the WNBA’s New York Liberty and MLS’ Real Salt Lake. He’s now a part-owner of multiple global franchises, including Burnley FC, and brings a strategic, long-term perspective to sports investing and private equity.

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction to Dave Checketts and His Journey in Sports03:25 Investments in Sports Teams and the Impact of Major Events08:32 The Future of Sports Leagues and Investment Strategies13:27 Valuations in Sports and the Role of Private Equity18:35 Challenges in College Sports and the Evolution of NIL21:44 The Disruption of Sports Television and Emerging Technologies

Andrew Petcash:🏠 Website:⁠ https://profluence.com⁠🐣 Twitter:⁠   / andrewpetcash⁠  💼 LinkedIn:⁠ https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewpetcash/

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Eberg Capital is a venture capital firm focused on early-stage investments across the sports entertainment ecosystem, including sports franchises, betting, media, and technology-driven experiences. Roger Ehrenberg brings decades of expertise from the tech and venture worlds to the evolving sports landscape, backing founders building the next generation of transformative companies.

By investing early in high-potential businesses, Eberg Capital aims to drive innovation where sports, media, and technology intersect. With a focus on founder quality, market size, and long-term impact, they are shaping the way fans engage with sports, betting, and entertainment across the globe.

00:00 Introduction to Eberg Capital
02:36 Challenges in Sports Investment
04:54 The Appeal of Early Stage Investments
07:37 Transitioning from Tech to Sports Investment
10:16 Understanding the Market Size in Sports
12:41 Factors Igniting Sports Investment
15:05 Exploring Investment Categories
17:21 Future Directions and Exciting Opportunities
20:03 The Importance of Founders in Investment
22:18 Conclusion and How to Connect with Eberg Capital

Roger Ehrenberg:

🏠 Website:⁠ https://www.ebergcapital.com/

💼LinkedIn:⁠ https://www.linkedin.com/in/rehrenberg/

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.

Geetansh Sahni is a venture capitalist at Yashaa Global Capital, a firm focused on investing in the future of sports, gaming, and performance. With a presence across Asia and support from elite athletes and experienced investors, Yashaa backs early-stage companies that are redefining the sports and media landscape.This conversation explores Yashaa’s investment thesis, geographic focus, and approach to evaluating opportunities in emerging markets. Sahni outlines how the team identifies founders, the qualities they look for, and how broader macro trends like youth sports and digital media are shaping their strategy.He also shares perspectives on the evolving role of capital in scaling new ventures and building sustainable ecosystems. The discussion highlights how sports and technology are converging to unlock new models for engagement, monetization, and growth.

Chapters:

00:00 – Introduction to Yashaa Global Capital

02:44 – Investment Thesis and Fund Structure

05:04 – Deployment Strategy and Deal Evaluation

05:58 – Sports and Media Influence

07:09 – Team Dynamics and Founders' Qualities

10:07 – Macro Trends in Sports Investment

12:43 – Youth Sports and Market Opportunities

15:19 – Conclusion and Future Outlook

Geetansh Sahni:

🏠 Website:⁠ https://daoneglobal.vc/

💼LinkedIn:⁠ https://www.linkedin.com/in/geetanshsahni/

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.

Brooks Schaden is the co-CEO of Tom’s Watch Bar, the fast-growing sports bar concept redefining how fans experience live games. With 14 profitable venues across major sports cities and plans to expand by 50% this year, Tom’s is becoming the go-to destination for immersive sports viewing—with 360-degree screens, elevated stadium food, and all-sports-all-the-time programming.Brooks shares how Tom’s is tapping into evolving fan demographics, the rise of sports betting, and strategic partnerships to fuel growth. From hosting 600+ watch parties to pulling in $7M AUVs, this is a masterclass on turning sports passion into business performance.Chapters00:00 – Introduction to Tom's Watch Bar and Brooks' Journey02:37 – The Evolution of Sports Engagement05:35 – Navigating the COVID Challenge08:24 – Creating a Unique Sports Experience10:56 – Engaging Diverse Fan Bases13:51 – The Impact of Sports Betting16:44 – Strategic Partnerships and Growth19:31 – Future Expansion Plans22:08 – Building a Community Around Sports24:46 – Final Thoughts and InsightsBrooks Schaden:🏠Website: https://tomswatchbar.com/ 💼LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brooks-schaden-35564a11/Scott Garber: 🏠 Website: https://profluence.com 💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sgarber40/Thanks for listeining! Hit the “follow” button to stay updated on new podcasts.

Chad Wilton is the Co-Founder & CEO of PEAK, a new global gathering built to unite the world of SportsTech. As the industry rapidly evolves across athlete performance, fan engagement, and stadium innovation, PEAK is positioning itself as the central hub where top founders, investors, and executives come together to shape what’s next.With a background in launching high-impact events, Chad shares the inspiration behind PEAK, how he’s creating a platform that blends networking, live demos, and visionary insights—and why 2024 is the moment to go big. From community building to global ambition, this is a deep dive into the future of SportsTech convening.

Chapters

04:15 – The Passion for Events and Their Impact

09:04 – The Vision Behind PEAK

13:25 – Building a Unique Event Experience

18:08 – The Team Behind PEAK and Future Goals

Chad Wilton:

🏠 Website:⁠ https://peakconf.com/

💼LinkedIn:⁠ https://www.linkedin.com/in/chad-wilton-67453530/?originalSubdomain=ca

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.

Rob Thompson, the creator of Punch Bowl Social, is launching his next venture—Valhalla SC Arena. Designed to merge the energy of live sports with immersive technology and social experience, Valhalla marks a bold step into the future of sports entertainment.

Rob brings decades of experience in hospitality and experiential spaces, now applying that playbook to a new category: sports-driven social arenas. With the first public reveal of Valhalla SC Arena happening here, Rob shares his vision, the inspiration behind the concept, and how he plans to scale it into a cultural phenomenon. 

From his evolution as a founder to the role of smart capital and community-building in sports, this episode captures the launch of something big.

Chapters 00:00 – Introduction to Rob Thompson and Valhalla SC Arena 02:33 – The Evolution of Punch Bowl Social 04:48 – Identifying Market Opportunities 07:25 – The Concept of Valhalla SC Arena 10:07 – Target Demographics and Revenue Streams 12:31 – The Future of Sports Entertainment 14:55 – Scaling and Expansion Strategies 17:13 – The Role of Smart Capital in Sports

Robert Thompson

💼LinkedIn:⁠ https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewpetcash/⁠

Andrew Petcash:

🏠 Website:⁠ https://profluence.com⁠

🐣 Twitter:⁠ https://twitter.com/andrewpetcash⁠

💼 LinkedIn:⁠ https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewpetcash/⁠

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