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Gavin Ferlic, Co-Founder and CEO of TayCo Brace, joins host Andrew Petcash to discuss the origin, engineering, and commercialization of the TayCo Brace, an external ankle brace designed at the University of Notre Dame to fit outside the shoe rather than inside it. Spurred by Notre Dame associate athletic trainer Mike Bean’s observations of paratrooper gear and medical insights from Gavin’s father (Dr. Fred Ferlic, a retired orthopedic surgeon), TayCo Brace addresses a core issue with traditional bracing: space restrictions inside athletic footwear. By bracing externally, the product anchors into the rigid structure of the shoe, utilizing an I-beam engineering principle that increases width to deliver 2.5 times the lateral stability of internal braces without restricting vertical range of motion or required foot clearance. In this episode, Gavin breaks down the biomechanical mechanics of the brace, its application as a lighter alternative to rigid walking boots (the RecoverX line), its adoption across the NFL and NCAA, and the operational transition into direct-to-consumer healthcare sales to bypass health system purchasing friction.

Rich Routman is the President of Minute, a global sports and culture content, publishing, and technology company. Returning to the Profluence Podcast as its first repeat guest, Rich brings decades of experience leading major media platforms, having previously served as CEO of The Sporting News and holding senior executive roles across digital sports publishing and distribution. Minute operates a dual business model combining a direct-to-consumer editorial portfolio, which includes iconic brands like Sports Illustrated, The Players' Tribune, FanSided, and Mental Floss—with a robust B2B technology and video distribution infrastructure anchored by STN Video. This operational strategy balances owned-and-operated media environments with syndicated video highlight distribution for major leagues like the NFL, MLB, NBA, F1, NASCAR, and the PGA Tour. In this episode, Rich evaluates the state of modern sports publishing. Rich breaks down how publishers can weather search engine algorithm changes by placing brands back at the center of their distribution strategy, the operational mechanics of creator-publisher collaborations, the strategic criteria for digital media M&A, and the rise of Connected TV (CTV) and FAST channels as the future of home-screen video consumption.

David Brickley is the CEO and Founder of STN Digital, a specialized social media and digital marketing agency serving professional sports franchises, leagues, media networks, and elite athletes. Drawing from an early career in sports broadcasting—including hosting live post-game shows for LakersNation, interviewing Kobe Bryant, and producing at Fox Sports Radio—David launched STN Digital in 2013 to bridge the gap between sports organizations and digital-native fanbases. STN Digital architects and executes end-to-end digital strategies across major North American sports leagues (NFL, NBA, WNBA, NWSL) and corporate brands. The agency focuses on content creation, social performance optimization, and audience activation—specializing in high-profile "surge moments" such as Caitlin Clark’s Indiana Fever debut, NFL draft campaigns, and major team launches. STN Digital’s methodology treats organic social media as a top-of-funnel trust-building asset while converting digital engagement into sponsorable inventory and commercial revenue. In this episode, David unpacks the evolution of sports digital media over the last decade. David breaks down how to reverse-engineer fan psychology, the operational mechanics of preparing for viral franchise milestones, the distinction between brand marketing and lower-funnel sales campaigns, and why Fortune 500 companies are shifting from traditional linear media buying to owned brand studios and live creator partnerships.

Randall Boe is a Partner at Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP, where he leads the firm's Sports practice within the Entertainment, Sports & Media group. Bringing a career spanning technology law, professional sports operations, and executive leadership, Randall previously served as General Counsel at America Online (AOL) before joining Monumental Sports & Entertainment as Executive Vice President and General Counsel. In that role, he helped oversee a sports and real estate portfolio that included the Washington Wizards (NBA), Washington Capitals (NHL), Washington Mystics (WNBA), and Capital One Arena. Randall has operated across nearly every facet of the sports ecosystem, including serving as the CEO and Commissioner of the Arena Football League (AFL). His experience spans complex sports finance transactions, media rights distribution, venue monetization, and LP equity deals. At Akin Gump, Randall advises major institutional investors, leagues, and collegiate athletic programs navigating the modern sports landscape. In this episode, Randall explores the rapid professionalization and institutionalization of sports. Randall details the structural shift from family-owned franchises to private equity and private credit, the business mechanics of college sports revenue-sharing under the House settlement, the future of media rights, and the operational challenges of building emerging sports leagues.

Sophia Whitesell is the Founder and CEO of The Giving Game, an athlete-led philanthropic media and publishing platform. Transitioning from a decade-long career as a registered nurse and hospital executive into the sports industry, Sophia created The Giving Game to bridge the operational, awareness, and storytelling gaps that often prevent high-profile athletes from scaling their charitable foundations. The Giving Game operates as a media engine and publishing house dedicated to highlighting the human element of sports philanthropy. By enforcing a strict "no sports talk" rule during long-form interviews, the platform focuses entirely on the athlete’s personal origin story, community mission, and foundation goals. Each interview is paired with a multi-day digital campaign and an interactive children’s book publishing line designed to engage fans, demystify grassroots giving, and combat donor fatigue. In this episode Sophia explores the business of athlete-driven nonprofits, navigating the "gatekeepers" within an athlete’s inner circle, and the operational differences between grassroots foundations and large legacy charities. Sophia breaks down how the platform activates fan bases without asking for direct dollars, her approach to elevating women’s sports foundations, and her plans for expanding into physical, community-driven experiences. Podcast Chapters: 01:35 - Sophia’s Origin Story: Transitioning from Nursing to Sports04:11 - The Operational Bottlenecks Facing Athlete Foundations06:12 - What Is The Giving Game? Media Platform & Children's Book Publishing 08:54 - Navigating Gatekeepers & Decoding the Athlete’s Inner Circle12:16 - The Interview Framework: Stripping Away "Sports Talk" for Human Stories 14:09 - Mental Health, Vulnerability, and Breaking Out of the "Athlete Box" 18:44 - Non-Monetary Philanthropy: Leveraging Influence over Capital 22:36 - Scaling The Giving Game Brand & Building Fan Base Trust27:02 - Supporting Grassroots Nonprofits, Emerging Athletes, and Women's Sports 29:31 - The Future of In-Real-Life (IRL) Community Experiences & Wrap Up

Justin Jarman is the Co-Founder and CEO of Cool Factor Cryo, a mobile and stationary athletic recovery company delivering elite recovery modalities to youth sports tournaments, endurance races, and collegiate programs. A career entrepreneur with experience spanning venture finance, CPG, and digital platforms, Justin partnered with former MLS professional soccer player Jack Stewart to bridge the gap between elite professional recovery infrastructure and grassroots athletics. Cool Factor Cryo operates an asset-light, hybrid network consisting of custom mobile recovery vehicles, franchised units, and stationary "recovery pods" deployed directly on site at high-traffic sports complexes. Each unit offers an integrated athletic recovery circuit featuring whole-body cryotherapy chambers (reaching -180°F), red-light therapy, pneumatic compression boots, percussive massage, and zero-gravity lounge environments. By partnering with major brands like Therabody and Adidas, Cool Factor utilizes an experiential marketing model that subsidizes or eliminates recovery costs for families while unlocking data-capture channels across the youth sports "sideline economy." In this episode Justin discusses the economics of mobile athletic recovery, scaling across mixed-use sports complexes, and porting elite national team recovery protocols to grassroots tournaments. Justin breaks down how Cool Factor optimizes tournament footprint monetization, navigates B2B brand sponsorships, and executes on its expansion roadmap across major US metropolitan markets.

Ron Shimek is the President of i9 Sports, the nation’s multi-sport community youth sports franchise. Bringing over 25 years of leadership experience across the franchising sector—including extensive executive roles in hospitality and home services—Ron took the helm at i9 Sports in January 2024 to drive the company’s nationwide expansion, operational support, and franchise development strategy. i9 Sports operates an asset-light, multi-sport franchise model designed as an alternative to hyper-competitive club sports. Serving youth ages 3 to 14 across over 300 locations, i9 Sports offers flag football, soccer, basketball, baseball, and volleyball through convenient, single-day weekend leagues. Supported by private equity partner Rourke Capital, the company relies on local Area Developers (ADs) who utilize municipal fields, public facilities, and volunteer coaching networks rather than heavy capital real estate investments. In this episode of the Profluence Podcast, host Andrew Petcash sits down with Ron to discuss the business mechanics of youth sports franchising, the shift toward multi-sport participation, and strategies for avoiding early athletic burnout. Ron shares insights into i9 Sports' "Gains for the Girls" initiative, flag football’s rapid expansion ahead of high school and Olympic adoption, and how data-driven franchise operations drive sustained member retention across the US. Podcast Chapters: 03:05 - The i9 Sports Business Model: Asset-Light Youth Sports Leagues 05:29 - Industry Growth Trends: Flag Football, Girls' Sports & Soccer 06:42 - Market Expansion Strategy & Site Selection Demographics 08:18 - Target Age Demographics & Single-Day League Structure 10:07 - Private Equity Partnering: Scaling with Rourke Capital 11:26 - Revenue Streams: Registration Fees, Royalties, and Merchandise 12:29 - Asset-Light vs. Facility Ownership: Leasing Fields and Facilities 15:22 - Multi-Sport Expansion & Competitive League Opportunities 18:13 - Personal Motivation: Youth Mental Health & Technology Off-Ramps 22:06 - Key Performance Indicators: NPS, Conversion, and Member Retention 24:15 - Multi-Sport Participation vs. Early Sport Specialization 25:45 - Where to Find i9 Sports & Wrap Up

Nery Gomez is the President and Co-Founder of Black Sun Private Equity, an alternative investment firm targeting the intersection of sports, entertainment media, technology, and capital markets. Bringing a background spanning investment banking, venture capital, and corporate strategy, Nery began his career managing deal flow and capital allocation in the Boston tech and banking ecosystems before helping launch Black Sun alongside CEO Atonn Muhammad. Black Sun Private Equity operates an ecosystem-driven investment model centered around the "fan economy." Rather than executing isolated financial engineering or short-term arbitrage flips, Black Sun deploys capital into interconnected assets—ranging from major franchise bids like bringing the Seattle SuperSonics back to the NBA and acquiring top-tier European soccer clubs, to establishing new sports properties like the World American Football League (WAFL) and Knockout Fights. Nery examines the structural evolution of sports private equity, long-term asset stewardship, and stadium-anchored commercial real estate. Nery details how Black Sun leverages a five-point business framework (Value Offering, Marketing, Sales, Value Delivery, and Finance) to turn sports franchises into self-sustaining commercial flywheels, while incorporating human performance, athlete wealth management, and community impact into core portfolio operations.Podcast Chapters:02:39 The Birth of Black Sun Private Equity05:19 Understanding the Fan Economy08:13 The Importance of Community and Stewardship10:56 The Confluence of Sports, Entertainment, and Technology13:56 Building a Sustainable Sports Ecosystem16:12 The Five-Point Business Model for Success22:48 The Importance of Customer Relationships23:39 Professionalism in Sports Management25:44 Creating a Fan-Centric Experience28:10 Human Performance and Athlete Care31:41 Understanding Risks in Sports Investments38:52 Long-Term Vision for Black Sun

Haniff Brown is the Founder and CEO of FitMatch AI, an AI-driven computer vision and body intelligence platform. Born in Kingston, Jamaica, Haniff graduated with a mathematics degree from Williams College before spending years in Wall Street private equity, focusing heavily on discount retail, supply chains, and consumer apparel. Drawing on his background in quantitative analysis and operations, Haniff founded FitMatch to solve the global challenge of sizing, body metrics, and physical analytics without invasive hardware.FitMatch AI is a technology platform that turns standard smartphone and tablet photos into precise, non-invasive 3D body intelligence data. Utilizing proprietary computer vision algorithms, the platform delivers optical measurements, including limb lengths, circumferences, muscle mass estimates, and bone density approximations, without ever storing photos. Initially deployed across retail to tackle apparel returns, FitMatch AI has expanded into youth sports and healthcare as a core engine for body composition and longitudinal physical tracking.Haniff explains how computer vision is transforming youth sports scouting, athletic development, and injury prevention. Haniff breaks down the difference between chronological age and biological maturation, explaining how AI-driven body analytics, like sub-inch adult height prediction and growth-spurt forecasting, are helping organizations like MLS Next combat relative age bias, optimize player positioning, and democratize elite sports science for parents and coaches worldwide. Podcast Chapters: 01:20 - Haniff's Journey: From Wall Street Private Equity to Tech Entrepreneurship 04:11 - Transitioning from Investor to Operator: Lessons from Private Equity 07:52 - Strategy & Scaling: Expanding Across Retail, Healthcare, and Sports 13:41 - Revolutionizing Youth Sports: Performance vs. Puberty (Relative Age Effect) 17:34 - Predicting Growth Spurts and Sub-Inch Adult Height with AI 23:08 - Data Privacy & Security: Protecting Youth Athlete Information 25:05 - The Future of FitMatch AI: Replacing DEXA Scans & Global Expansion

Jorrit DeVries is the Director of the Netherlands Business Support Office in Los Angeles (NBSO LA), an official trade office operating under the Dutch Ministry of Foreign and Economic Affairs. A former startup CEO and corporate executive with over two decades of international business experience, Jorrit works directly on the ground in California to bridge the gap between Dutch technology enterprises, US markets, and local government stakeholders. The Netherlands Business Support Office (NBSO) is a global network of trade offices established by the Dutch government to foster bilateral trade and economic growth in key international hubs. Operating out of Venice, California, NBSO LA acts as a strategic bridge for over 150 Dutch companies entering Southern California, with a specialized focus on sports technology, media, life sciences, and urban development. Jorrit explores how the Netherlands is leveraging Los Angeles’s upcoming "Decade of Sports", highlighted by FIFA World Cup matches and the 2028 Olympic Games—as a launchpad for international business growth. They discuss the differences between US and European venture landscapes, the mechanics of soft-landing foreign startups in California, and why international trade representation is becoming a key driver in the modern sports economy. Podcast Chapter: 02:43 The Role of the Netherlands in Global Trade 05:19 Establishment and Growth of MBSO in LA 07:59 Support for Dutch Companies in the US 10:33 Criteria for Dutch Companies to Enter the US Market 13:22 Sports Industry Opportunities in LA 15:55 Cultural Differences in Business Practices 18:36 Trends and Future Opportunities in the Sports Sector 21:17 Conclusion and Resources for Dutch Companies

Jay Ciccarone is a veteran inventor and product innovator with decades of experience spanning golf club manufacturing, consumer goods, and wearable performance technology. Driven by a passion for functional movement and sports science, Jay holds multiple patents centered around soft-weighted resistance technology designed to enhance athletic training, build targeted muscle strength, and assist in physical rehabilitation. His company, Lace Up, is a pioneer in weighted sports gear and wearable technology, offering a complete head-to-toe lineup of flexible resistance equipment. What began as a soft-weighted wrap for lacrosse sticks and baseball bats has expanded into weighted compression arm and calf sleeves, weighted footwear accessories, and the Heavy Hat—a targeted neck-strengthening tool used to build cervical resilience and lower concussion risks across contact sports and auto racing. In this episode of the Profluence Podcast, host Andrew Petcash sits down with Jay to explore how Lace Up evolved from a niche sports accessory into a multi-use wearable platform trusted by professional sports leagues, medical rehabilitation patients, and NASA. They dive into the mechanics of low-load resistance, how to spot unexpected market fits like Irish dance studios, and the key principles of scaling an physical product line without over-extending inventory. Podcast Chapters: 02:05 The Evolution of Weighted Sports Equipment 06:31 The Importance of Neck Strength in Sports 08:07 The Rise of Weighted Resistance Training 10:43 Innovating for Different Markets 15:01 Customer Service and Go-to-Market Strategies 18:19 Balancing Innovation and Product Management 20:31 The Science Behind Product Development 24:40 Learning from Customer Feedback 29:53 Future Goals and Market Trends 31:00 Emerging Trends in Fitness and Wellness

Jovany Ruiz is Co-Founder of Friday Stairs, a rapidly growing free weekly fitness ritual and community movement built on democratizing health and wellness.Ruiz shares his story from growing up in a 127-person village in Puerto Rico to playing Division I college football and track at the University at Buffalo, pursuing the NFL, and enduring seven knee surgeries. He details how overcoming adversity led him to realize that sports were merely a vehicle for his true purpose: building fellowship, leading without ego, and creating uplifting communities.The conversation dives deep into how Friday Stairs grew from an informal Tampa gathering into a waitlisted movement scaling to 50+ major U.S. cities, how to maintain authentic culture while monetizing through brand partnerships, and why "the stairs" represent the personal adversity everyone faces.Podcast Chapters: 01:01 Roots in Puerto Rico and Early Life02:45 The Pursuit of Sports and Personal Growth06:06 The Realization of Purpose Beyond Sports09:50 Defining Community and Leadership12:33 The Mission of Friday Stairs15:10 Balancing Community and Business19:07 Scaling and Expanding Friday Stairs22:15 Leveraging Sports and Influencers24:43 Lessons Learned from the Community27:05 Staying Grounded as a Leader

Eyal Arad (Co-Founder & CEO) and Amos Varon (Chief Business Officer) of Ripple Analytics (formerly Videocites) ulock the Hidden 80% of Social Media Value in Sports. They explore the shifting landscape of sports media and social media intelligence, discussing how rights holders, sports properties, and global brands can track the full value of user-generated content (UGC) and earned media far beyond their owned channels. Arad and Varon share the origin story of Videocites starting as an anti-piracy video-tracking technology in 2014 and its strategic pivot into an AI-powered social media intelligence platform. Drawing on Arad’s two decades in product development and Varon’s background leading partnership revenue at Madison Square Garden, BSE Global, and NASCAR, they break down why 80% of digital engagement happens outside official channels. The discussion covers leveraging super fans over mega-influencers, avoiding misleading metrics like raw impressions, and utilizing predictive AI to drive real revenue. Podcast Chapters: 02:52 - Amos Varon's Transition from MSG & NASCAR to Sports Tech04:02 - Eyal Arad on the Pivot: From Anti-Piracy to Harnessing Fan UGC05:48 - Evaluating Social Metrics: Beyond Followers and Standard Likes08:21 - The Tip of the Iceberg: Owned Channels vs. Earned UGC Reach09:59 - How Emerging Leagues & Younger Audiences Consume Clip-Driven Content12:18 - Turning "Pirates" into Brand Ambassadors & Fan Creators13:25 - Influencer Marketing Debate: Mega Influencers vs. Authentic Super Fans15:36 - Insights & Engagement Trends from FIFA World Cup & Major Events18:12 - Sports vs. Non-Sports Brands: How Content Strategies Compare22:40 - The Evolution of Athlete Personal Brands & UGC Monetization24:05 - The Future of Social Intelligence: Predictive AI & Fan Engagement27:45 - Rapid Fire: Undervalued Platforms & Overrated Metrics

Adam Sloustcher is the Co-Chair at Fisher Phillips, a leading labor and employment law firm. Sloustcher shares his journey from elite youth soccer at the U.S. Soccer Residency Program (IMG Academy) and playing Division I soccer at UNC Chapel Hill and Loyola Marymount University, to signing with the San Jose Earthquakes before transitioning into a legal career focused on labor and employment law.Sloustcher outlines how Fisher Phillips navigates employment and workplace law in the sports landscape, covering risk mitigation, cross-jurisdictional compliance, and proactive human resources management. He details how sports organizations, high-growth startups, and sports tech ventures manage labor regulations, implement workplace safety protocols, navigate state-level AI regulations, and lay compliant structural foundations. The discussion also covers scaling law office operations, corporate culture, and balancing executive output with family life.Podcast Chapters:01:26 - Adam's Origin Story: From AAU Basketball to Elite Youth Soccer03:11 - The Residency Program & D1 College Soccer at UNC & LMU04:39 - Life After Pro Soccer & Transitioning to Law06:51 - How an Athletic Background Shapes Legal Consulting09:48 - Navigating AI, Compliance, and Changing Regulations in Sports Tech13:39 - Who Fisher Phillips Serves: Early-Stage Startups to Pro Franchises18:43 - Scaling the Dallas Office & Client-Centric Growth Strategy20:32 - Redefining ROI: Return on Impact vs. Return on Investment25:35 - How to Connect with Adam Sloustcher & Fisher Phillips

Joel Bar-El is a tech entrepreneur, co-founder, and CEO of Swish. Bar-El previously co-founded Trax, a retail computer vision platform that grew into a multi-billion-dollar unicorn after raising over $1 billion in primary and secondary capital. Drawing on his lifelong involvement in basketball as a player and Israeli league referee, Bar-El has now turned his attention to transforming sports technology through low-cost sensor integration.Swish turns standard basketball courts into smart courts using self-installed LiDAR and computer vision sensors mounted to the backboard. Instead of requiring personal wearables or expensive enterprise camera arrays, the system uses on-device facial recognition to track player biometric data directly on their mobile devices while recording ball trajectory, shot arc, release speed, and biomechanical analytics. Bar-El discusses the company’s B2B2C deployment strategy across schools, academies, and community centers, its inclusion in the NBA Launchpad program, and his design philosophy around global leaderboards, remote challenges, and real-world gamification. He also reflects on founder discipline, navigating venture capital, and the realities of scaling and exiting a tech unicorn.Podcast Chapters:02:18 Fundraising Insights and Authenticity04:07 Market Opportunity in Basketball Technology05:33 The Swish Experience: Player Identity and Performance08:41 Gamification and Real-World Participation10:20 B2B2C Approach and Future Consumer Market11:26 NBA Launchpad and Global Expansion13:25 Focus on Basketball: The Path Forward14:56 Creating a Global Basketball Community17:05 Player Behavior Insights from Initial Launch18:39 Global Market Differences in Sports Tech Adoption20:16 Democratization of Player Performance22:40 Leveraging Data for Player Development23:47 Future Plans and Funding for Swish