On this episode of the SeventySix Capital Sports Leadership Show, Wayne Kimmel interviewed the Founder of Snapback Sports, Jack Settleman.
Settleman explains how Snapback Sports was built on a simple yet powerful idea — highlighting the unique stories and experiences that make college football special. Rather than focusing solely on scores or highlights, Snapback brings fans inside the energy of the game day experience — the food, the traditions, the local culture, and the community that fuels it all.
Settleman and Kimmel explore how Snapback’s business model emphasizes authenticity and connection over pure scalability. Settleman shares that the brand’s success stems from community engagement — building meaningful relationships with fans, athletes, and creators alike. This people-first approach, he notes, has been key to sustaining growth while preserving the spirit of what makes sports content fun and relatable.
Settleman discusses his new trivia app, which has quickly gained traction among users for its interactivity and community-driven design. The app represents Snapback’s expansion into new formats, offering fans another way to engage with sports in real time while staying true to the brand’s identity. He also opens up about connecting personally with athletes, emphasizing that behind the fame and fandom, many of them share the same struggles, aspirations, and love for the game as their audience. This human connection has been essential to the content Snapback produces, making it both entertaining and deeply relatable.
Looking ahead, Jack shares his vision for the future of Snapback Sports — expanding the brand’s reach, deepening community connections, and exploring new collaborations that push the boundaries of sports media.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Snapback Sports and Jack Settleman
02:41 Exploring Unique College Football Experiences
06:16 The Business Model Behind Snapback Sports
09:09 Launching the Trivia App: A New Venture
12:18 Connecting with Athletes and Creators
14:21 The Importance of Community Engagement
18:11 Unique Stories from College Football
22:49 Jack's Entrepreneurial Journey
28:58 Future Plans and Collaborations
33:21 Mentorship and Influences in Jack's Career
Jack Settleman:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jack-settleman-424a73b1/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jacksettleman/
X: https://x.com/jacksettleman
On this episode of the SeventySix Capital Sports Leadership Show, Wayne Kimmel interviewed the Co-Founders of Courtside Sports Advisors, Josh Goldstein & Robert Jakobi.
Founded by Goldstein and Jakobi, Courtside Sports Advisors has quickly established itself as a trusted partner to leading sports properties and brands, specializing in forging innovative corporate partnerships across multiple sports. Their growing roster of clients includes the Brooklyn Nets, Nashville SC, New York Red Bulls, Team Miami (Powered by Magnus), the E1 Series, and PTC (Players’ Tribune Creative).
Jakobi launched Team Miami alongside global entertainment icon Marc Anthony in the world’s first all-electric powerboat championship — the E1 Series. The league merges sustainability, speed, and celebrity, representing the next frontier in sports innovation and fan engagement.
In 2024, Courtside Sports Advisors played a pivotal role in securing a partnership between E1, Team Miami, and Azimut Yachts for the inaugural E1 World Championship Series, further cementing the firm’s reputation as a leader in shaping the business of emerging sports.
As the E1 Miami Grand Prix approaches, Goldstein and Jakobi are also collaborating with Front Office Sports to host The Next Wave, an exclusive event in Miami on November 6, bringing together leaders from sports, finance, and media to explore the future of sports — from innovation and investment to the evolution of fan experiences. SeventySix Capital Managing Partner Wayne Kimmel will speak on a panel at the event.
Josh Goldstein:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshua-goldstein-564394a0/
Robert Jakobi:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robertjakobi/
Chapters
03:00 The E1 World Championship
09:00 Building Corporate Partnerships
15:00 Focus on Emerging Sports Leagues
21:00 VIP Experience and Celebrity Involvement
27:00 Future Plans and Sports Investment
On this episode of the SeventySix Capital Sports Leadership Show, Wayne Kimmel interviewed the President & CEO of ANC, Jerry Cifarelli Jr.
Although Jerry’s father originally founded the company more than 25 years ago, ANCs transformation since Cifarelli re-acquired the company from Learfield in 2023 has been remarkable. Departing from the conventional path of a second-generation, Cifarelli chose to forge his own path, leaving ANC in 2022 after nearly a decade with the firm to establish C10 Media. His strategic acumen and skill as a relationship builder paid dividends immediately when he secured the firm's initial project, designing and installing a cutting-edge multimedia solution for MGM Music Hall at Fenway.
In 2023, recognizing a unique opportunity, Cifarelli Jr.. leveraged his long-standing industry relationships and vision for what a re-imagined ANC could be to orchestrate the acquisition of ANC by C10 Media back from Learfield. In less than two years, Jerry has transformed ANC from a digital signage solutions provider into a versatile, full-service technology, advertising, design, and service partner. Following ANC’s successful first year, Cifarelli secured a substantial equity partnership in ANC by Fenway Sports Group, ideally positioning the company to fulfill Jerry’s vision as a diversified single-source solutions provider and strategic partner, at the epicenter of the sports and entertainment business.
Some of its digital signage projects in the past two years include: American Century Field (Milwaukee Brewers); Nationals Field (Washington Nationals); the Toyota Center (Houston Rockets); American Airlines Center (Dallas); Levi’s Stadium (SF 49ers); ScotiaBank Arena (Toronto); Gainsbridge FieldHouse (Indiana Pacers); Dodger Stadium; Wells Fargo Center (Philadelphia); Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse (Cleveland), and Smoothie King Center (New Orleans). And when it comes to college facilities, ANC has relationships with nearly 65% of all colleges, and during the past two years its roster of college sports facility upgrade projects reads like a who’s who of college sports: Alabama, Penn State, SMU, Boise State, Marshall, Arkansas, Louisville, Rutgers, West Virginia, Oregon State, South Carolina, and Cal Berkeley.
Jerry Cifarelli Jr.:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jerry-cifarelli/
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to ANC and Its History
02:49 The Evolution of Signage in Sports
05:52 ANC's Role in Venue Technology
09:08 The Importance of People in the Business
12:00 Recognition and Awards in the Industry
14:38 Case Studies: Enhancing Fan Experience
17:49 Monetizing Sports Venues
20:48 The Future of Sports Venues and Technology
23:44 The Professionalization of College Sports
26:56 Mentorship and Leadership in Sports Business
29:44 Advice for Aspiring Sports Professionals
On this episode of the SeventySix Capital Sports Leadership Show - College Sports Edition, Wayne Kimmel interviewed the President of the Philadelphia Union, Tim McDermott.
McDermott is President of the Philadelphia Union and Union Sports & Entertainment and oversees all club business operations for the Philadelphia Union, Philadelphia Union II, Philadelphia Union Academy, as well as the Union’s campus master plan and development project which includes the Union Power Plant, Subaru Park, and the construction of the WSFS Bank Sportsplex. Since joining the Union in 2016, McDermott’s efforts have been focused on increasing the brand strength, fan base, and revenue opportunities as well as a continued commitment to growing soccer and making a positive impact on the community.
Under his oversight, the Union reached many milestones ahead of the 2023 season including the highest partnership revenues and largest season-ticket base all-time, historical highs in television ratings, social engagement and earned media coverage.
In 2023, McDermott put further action into his commitment to revitalize the Chester waterfront as construction on the WSFS Bank Sportsplex began, a project that culminated in a ribbon-cutting ceremony in July 2025. With his vision coming to fruition, the building of the sportsplex lends opportunities for growth in tourism, job creation, and economic impact as well as a safe space for community members to gather. Additionally, working with the greater vision of the club in mind, the sportsplex will further the Union’s overall commitment to youth development and pathway to the pros as it brought all the Union’s teams to one campus.
Tim McDermott:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/timmcdermott2/
X: https://x.com/TimMcDermott6
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/timmcdermott6/
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Tim McDermott and Philadelphia Union
01:30 Youth Development and Academy Success
06:39 The Unique Position of MLS in Youth Sports
11:12 Preparing for the World Cup 2026
14:57 Business Opportunities and Challenges Ahead
19:19 Vision for the Future of MLS
20:16 Innovations in Technology and Fan Experience
23:41 Managing Operations and Growth
31:36 Impact of Media Rights on Fan Engagement
On the final episode of the SeventySix Capital Sports Leadership Show - College Sports Edition, Wayne Kimmel and Co-Host Ken Shropshire interviewed College Football Analyst & Broadcaster, Adam Breneman.
Breneman is a co-founder of Mercury: The College Sports Co., a venture-backed sports media company that is changing the way fans interact with their favorite teams and players. Breneman is also a college football analyst and broadcaster for ESPN, Big Ten Network and CBS.
He hosts the Next Up Podcast with Adam Breneman, where he interviews prominent figures and experts on topics related to college football. He also founded the Blue Chip Journal, a weekly newsletter with over 15,000 subscribers that delivers his opinion and news on all things college football, NIL, and recruiting. He is a recognized leader and authority on NIL in national media.
During his playing career, Breneman was a 5-star recruit and the No. 1 ranked tight end in the nation. He began his college career at Penn State where he earned Freshman All- American honors and still holds the record for longest touchdown by a tight end in PSU history. After facing injuries, Breneman transferred to UMass, where he became a 2x All-American, led the nation in receptions by a tight end, and a 2x John Mackey Award Semi-finalist. From 2020-2021, Breneman was the tight ends coach at Arizona State University under the legendary coach and media personality Herm Edwards.
While at ASU, Breneman was regarded as one of the best recruiters in college football, and was named to 247Sports.com’s 30 Under 30 list. He was the youngest position coach in Power 5 football.
Adam Breneman:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adambreneman/
X: https://x.com/AdamBreneman81
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/adambreneman/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@adambreneman81
Chapters
00:00 The Evolution of College Sports
02:58 Navigating NIL and the Transfer Portal
06:03 Coaching Challenges in the New Landscape
08:58 The Role of Transparency in College Athletics
11:40 Insights from Head Coaches
14:58 The Impact of NIL on Team Dynamics
17:48 Broadcasting in the Age of NIL and Sports Betting
20:39 The Changing Landscape of College Athletics
23:41 The Reality of Student-Athlete Life
26:34 Building a Support Team for Young Athletes
29:49 The Need for Leadership in College Sports
On this episode of the SeventySix Capital Sports Leadership Show - College Sports Edition, Wayne Kimmel and Co-Host Ken Shropshire interviewed Professional and Collegiate Sports Executive, Oliver Luck.
As President of Palmetto Trust Company, LLC and Chairman of Altius Sports Partners, Luck provides leadership experience spanning collegiate and professional athletics. His roles have included Commissioner of the XFL, Executive Vice President for Regulatory Affairs and Strategic Partnerships of the NCAA, and Athletic Director of West Virginia University.
Additionally, Luck has been in leadership roles with the Houston Dynamo of Major League Soccer and the National Football League and was Chief Executive Officer of the Harris County-Houston Sports Authority, where he oversaw the financing, construction and management of professional sports and entertainment infrastructure in Houston, including Minute Maid Park, Reliant Stadium and Toyota Center.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Oliver Luck
02:16 The Evolution of College Sports and NIL
07:21 Unionization and Collective Bargaining in College Sports
12:26 The Importance of Education and Financial Literacy
20:15 Title IX and Gender Equality in Sports
25:47 Maximizing Revenue for Olympic Sports
30:29 The Future of College Sports Management
32:12 Looking Ahead: The Future of College Athletics
On this episode of the SeventySix Capital Sports Leadership Show - College Sports Edition, Wayne Kimmel and Co-Host Ken Shropshire interviewed the Co-Founder & CEO of Opendorse, Blake Lawrence.
Lawrence explores the rapid evolution of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) in college sports—covering the impact of recent executive orders, the financial literacy young athletes need, and the shifting dynamics of athlete compensation. He offers insights into the challenges and opportunities NIL presents, the implications of the transfer portal, and introduces his book, NIL 101: The House Settlement, which demystifies the complexities of NIL for athletes and industry stakeholders.
After a promising career as a University of Nebraska linebacker was cut short by injury, Lawrence pivoted to business—earning his marketing degree in 2009 and MBA in 2011. In 2010, while completing his MBA, he co-founded Hurrdat, a fast-growing social media agency later acquired in 2014. Building on that success, Lawrence and former teammate Adi Kunalic launched Opendorse in 2012. What began as a simple tool to help one friend manage endorsement deals quickly grew into the leading platform connecting athletes, brands, and sports organizations.
Under Lawrence’s leadership, Opendorse has partnered with major sports associations including the NFLPA, MLBPA, PGA Tour, NHLPA, and Team USA. Today, the platform serves more than 100,000 athletes, 3,000 brands, and thousands of organizations—backed by $40 million in venture capital and patent-pending technology that quantifies athlete endorsement value.
Known for blending lessons from the locker room with entrepreneurial grit, Lawrence champions values like teamwork, accountability, competitiveness, and relentless work ethic. Beyond running Opendorse, he is a sought-after speaker and media voice, appearing on ESPN’s Outside the Lines, SportsCenter, Today Show, Bloomberg QuickTake, and more.
Blake Lawrence:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/blakealawrence/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blake_lawrence/
X: https://x.com/Blake_Lawrence
NIL 101: The House Settlement: https://blakelawrence.gumroad.com/l/NIL101TheHouseSettlement?utm_campaign=house-posts&utm_medium=social&utm_source=x
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Blake Lawrence and Opendorse
02:51 The Evolution of NIL and Opendorse' Role
08:29 The Impact of NIL on Young Athletes
12:07 Financial Literacy and Support for Athletes
16:31 Compensation Disparities and Locker Room Dynamics
21:14 The Transfer Portal and Its Implications
24:40 The Future of College Sports and Market Forces
26:43 The Role of the College Sports Commission
37:19 Blake's Book: NIL 101, The House Settlement
41:02 Looking Ahead: The Future of College Football and Basketball
On this episode of the SeventySix Capital Sports Leadership Show - College Sports Edition, Wayne Kimmel and Co-Host Ken Shropshire interviewed Sports Agent and Founder of SANIL and AthleticDirectorU, Jason Belzer.
Belzer discusses the transformative changes in college athletics, particularly focusing on the impact of NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) rights, the evolving role of athletic directors, and the influence of private equity in the sports ecosystem. He emphasizes the need for transparency and education for young athletes navigating this new landscape, as well as the potential for collective bargaining to reshape the industry. Belzer also highlights the importance of community and unity in college sports, as institutions adapt to the rapidly changing environment.
Belzer, Esq. is co-founder and CEO of Student Athlete NIL (SANIL), an agency of record that specializes in assisting brands, universities and student-athletes navigate the new era of name, image and likeness. SANIL manages more than 45 NIL collectives at universities across the country and hosts the annual NIL Summit at the College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta.
Belzer is also founder and President of GAME, Inc., an agency that specializes in the career management and marketing of coaches and the creation of collegiate sporting events. The firm represents more than 30 head Division I men’s and women’s basketball coaches and has negotiated more than $100 million in contracts to date.
He is also co-founder of AthleticDirectorU, a transformative digital media and professional development platform for college athletic administrators and coaches. ADU is the No. 1 read original content publication in the college sports industry.
Belzer graduated from Rutgers University, earning degrees in Sport Management and Political Science. He went on to receive his MBA from the University of Illinois and a JD from Rutgers University School of Law and is a licensed attorney in New York and New Jersey.
Ken Shropshire:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kenneth-shropshire-wharton/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kennethshropshire/
Jason Belzer:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonbelzer/
X: https://x.com/JasonBelzer
Chapters:
00:00 The Evolution of College Athletics
09:19 Navigating NIL and Athlete Representation
17:50 The Impact of Direct Payments on College Sports
24:26 The Future of Private Equity in College Sports
32:10 The Role of Athletic Directors in Modern Sports
On this episode of the SeventySix Capital Sports Leadership Show, Wayne Kimmel interviewed the CEO of DON'T QUIT Sports Nutrition, Mark French.
French has created, operated and sold multiple businesses in the consumer goods, sports, media and technology industries. As profiled by Forbes, French is recognized as one of the most successful business disruptors.
Previous ventures include MISSION®, The Players’ Tribune®, Healthy Together®, as well as entrepreneurial leadership roles with NBC Universal® (Founder of NBC Everywhere). French is the Founder of NLP Ventures, an investor and hands-on operational partner for portfolio companies in the Consumer Goods, Sports, Entertainment, and Technology sectors.
Leading consumer PE Firm L Catterton tapped French to join them on the Board of Directors for their portfolio company X2 Performance (a clean, healthy sports energy brand) and take over the CEO role in effort to scale the business. Under French’s leadership X2 partnered with Kawhi Leonard, Saquon Barkley and other elite athletes to grow the brands offering and distribution with large retailers including CVS, Subway, AMPM, GNC, etc. Mark recently led the strategic merger of X2 with Keurig Dr Pepper’s sports protein brand DON’T QUIT. Under French’s leadership DON’T QUIT now features clean / healthy sports beverages for all use occasions and is backed by Keurig Dr Pepper, LA Libations, Madison Square Garden, L Catterton, Sweetwater Private Equity, etc.
Over the course of his entrepreneurial career, French has partnered with legendary co-founding athletes and entertainers including Dwyane Wade, Serena Williams, Derek Jeter, Carmelo Anthony, Reggie Bush, Saquon Barkley, Damar Hamlin, DJ Khaled, Kendall Toole and others. Premiere institutional investors including L Catterton, Madison Square Garden, Live Nation, Endeavor, Roc Nation, Nelson Peltz, etc have backed French and his disruptive ventures.
As a philanthropist, French received the Lowell B. Mason Award for his commitment and mentorship to at-risk inner-city youth. He was one of 150 delegates selected by Pope Francis for the Global “Sport at the Service of Humanity” Council. French is an alum of Ithaca College, actively involved in the Athletic Department's Advisory Council. He graduated from Harvard’s Business of Entertainment, Media, and Sports Executive Program.
French’s inspiring entrepreneurial story has been featured on CNBC, Forbes, ESPN, Fox Business News, and more. French is often asked to share his entrepreneurial story and teach best practices with corporate giants such as GE, The NFL and more.
Mark French:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-french-/
On this episode of the SeventySix Capital Sports Leadership Show, Wayne Kimmel interviewed the Assistant AD for Sports Medicine at Villanova University & Former Trainer for the Philadelphia 76ers, Lenny Currier.
Currier, who came to Villanova in 2003, serves as an Assistant Athletics Director for Sports Medicine. In this position, he is responsible for oversight of the Athletic Training staff that serves Villanova's 24 varsity sports. He was elevated to his current position in 2019 after serving as the Director of Sports Medicine from 2003-19.
Currier also serves as the athletic trainer for the Villanova Men's Lacrosse team.
Prior to coming to Villanova in 2003, Currier spent 14 years as an athletic trainer with two National Basketball Association franchises. From 1997-2003, he served as Head Athletic Trainer for the Philadelphia 76ers. He also served as the Head Athletic Trainer for the Orlando Magic from 1989-97. During his time in professional basketball, he twice served as an athletic trainer for the East at the NBA All-Star Game (1992 and 2002). In addition, Currier spent two summers as an athletic trainer with USA Basketball (1998-99) as pre-qualification for the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney, Australia.
From 1985-88 he served as an athletic trainer in Albuquerque, N.M. with the Triple A affiliate of the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Currier is a native of Newburyport, Mass., who received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Arizona State University and a Master of Science degree from the University of Arizona. He is a veteran of the United States Air Force who served a tour of duty in Vietnam. He makes his home in Philadelphia with his wife Lori and twin children, Brendan and Olivia.
On this episode of the SeventySix Capital Sports Leadership Show, Wayne Kimmel interviewed the Chief Business Officer of Sinclair Broadcast Group, J.R. McCabe.
McCabe joined Sinclair Broadcast Group in 2020 and now serves as Chief Business Officer, Consumer Products. In this newly created role, McCabe is proving the tremendous growth potential of the convergence of media, sports, and gaming.
Prior to joining Sinclair, McCabe and his partners built a competitive gameplay and esports portfolio that included Poker Central and Estars Studios. Using data to drive strategic decisions, McCabe has monetized and accelerated new business models by combining assets, forging partnerships, and making acquisitions. When he assumed his role at Poker Central, he quickly realized its potential to be the brand umbrella for experiential events, a TV and video studio, asset holdings, and the first-of-its-kind subscription VOD channel, PokerGO.
Previously, McCabe served as SVP/Head of Video at Time Inc. and Chief Video Officer at Meredith Corporation, where as an intrapreneur, he created new businesses that pioneered how to leverage digital video to capitalize on the IP of a diverse portfolio of legacy brands. McCabe also launched Parents TV, the first national video network aimed at parents. While in his role, the first-ever of its kind at a major corporation, McCabe and his team outperformed revenue targets, hitting more than a billion streams, and tripling reach through deals with Amazon, Microsoft, Hulu, Yahoo, and more.
McCabe has also held several sales executive positions, including VP, Eastern Sales Manager for CBS Paramount Television and SVP, Program Partnerships and Sales for Universal Studios.
He holds a Bachelor of Business Administration, Marketing from James Madison University.
J.R. McCabe:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/j-r-mccabe-0040995/
On this episode of the SeventySix Capital Sports Leadership Show, Wayne Kimmel interviewed the CEO, PATH Talent & Co-Host, Roommates Show, Matt Hillman.
Hillman has been the CEO of PATH Talent since 2024 and co-hosts the Roommates Show with NBA stars Josh Hart and Jalen Brunson of the New York Knicks. Under his leadership, PATH Talent has seen significant growth and success in the talent acquisition industry.
Hillman has actively invested in companies such as Dapper Labs, WinZO, FaZe Clan, PlayVS, and The Lemon Perfect Company. Additionally, Hillman is a creator and co-host of the Lightharted Podcast and holds advisory roles at EarBuds and Drop Labs. Hillman earned his Bachelor of Arts in Global Studies from Carnegie Mellon University, where he also played basketball and participated in over 50 college games.
Matt Hillman:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ilovemattyice/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ilovemattyice/?hl=en
X: https://x.com/matthillman_
On this episode of the SeventySix Capital Sports Leadership Show, Wayne Kimmel interviewed the Chairman of Athletes.org, Jim Cavale.
Born and raised in Syracuse, New York, Cavale found early success on both the baseball diamond and basketball court at Christian Brothers Academy. Cavale’s athletic journey took him south to the University of Montevallo, where he played baseball on scholarship. While his dreams of turning pro did not materialize, a new passion emerged: blending sports and entrepreneurship.
During college, Cavale founded NextSpex—an audio-video streaming platform that evolved into a recruiting network connecting high school athletes with college coaches. Along the way, he grew into adulthood, marrying his wife Yazmin, an entrepreneur in the beauty industry, and together they built their family.
In August 2023, Cavale transitioned from his role as CEO of INFLCR, remaining a shareholder at Teamworks, to launch Athletes.org (AO). AO is pioneering the organization of college athletes into sport- and conference-specific chapters, providing on-demand support, a collective voice, and group licensing NIL opportunities—innovations reshaping the future of college athletics. As the industry evolves, Cavale is committed to ensuring that college athletes have a meaningful say in its direction.
Jim Cavale:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jimcavale/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jimcavale
X: https://x.com/jimcavale?s=20
On this episode of the SeventySix Capital Sports Leadership Show, Wayne Kimmel interviewed the Deputy CEO & Chief Real Estate Officer of the USL, Justin Papadakis.
Papadakis oversees critical areas such as league expansion, stadium and real estate development, digital media, technology, and finance. Under his leadership, the USL has launched initiatives, including the development of stadium-anchored entertainment districts and the introduction of new professional and pre-professional leagues, with a focus on community impact and fan engagement.
He earned a Juris Doctorate from Cleveland-Marshall College of Law and a dual degree in Public Policy and Economics from Duke University, where he also played as a goalkeeper for the Blue Devils men’s soccer team. Papadakis’s passion for soccer and expertise in real estate have positioned him as a key figure in shaping the future of the sport in the U.S., emphasizing consensus-building, innovation, and sustainable community development.
Justin Papadakis:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/justin-papadakis-9b466522/
X: https://x.com/justinpapadakis
On this episode of the SeventySix Capital Sports Leadership Show, Wayne Kimmel interviewed the Creator and CEO of BCSlots, Brian Christopher.
Christopher is the award-winning casino gaming content creator, with over 1 Billion video views. He plays slots daily in casinos & online on his BCSlots, BCBets and BCSpins channels, showing 8 Million monthly viewers how to have a great time with an entertainment budget. He runs the most insightful knowledge platform, Flip The Switch where he informs and educates the player community on every aspect of the gambling world.
A respected innovator in the industry, Christopher designed the BCSlots at Plaza space Downtown Las Vegas, co-created the Brian Christopher’s Pop’N Pays More (SBC Slot Collaboration of the Year) and Brian Christopher's World Cruise slot machines with Gaming Arts, launched themed BCSlots Cruises with Carnival, and is a casino Ambassador of BetMGM.
Christopher is the proud recipient of the Streamer of the Year Award presented by SBC, the Media Visibility Award presented by the Harvey Milk Foundation, and the Voices for Smokefree Air Award presented by the American Nonsmokers’ Rights Foundation. He has been a Featured Speaker at the Global Gaming Expo (G2E), Indian Gaming Association (IGA), Canadian Gaming Summit, NEXT Summit, EGR Power US Summit and AGS GameON, and is the Host of the annual EKG Slot Awards Show in Las Vegas.
Brian Christopher:
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/BrianChristopherSlots
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@BCSlots
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/BCSlots
BCSlots: https://www.bcslots.com/
On this episode of the SeventySix Capital Sports Leadership Show, Wayne Kimmel interviewed the Senior Director of Business Development and Innovation at ESPN, Zack Malet.
Malet negotiates and manages ESPN’s existing and new 3rd-party business agreements, with a specific focus on strategic innovation, emerging media, revenue, gaming and technology partnerships.
Since joining ESPN in 2012, he worked in Disney Platform Distribution where he managed distribution of Disney properties (including ABC, ESPN, Disney+) with cable and streaming partners and in ESPN’s programming and acquisitions’ content strategy and college sports groups.
His work within ESPN BD & Innovation includes the launch of ESPN’s 1st VR partnership with Meta, 1st sports travel tour “ESPN Experiences”, 1st FAST Network “ESPN8 The Ocho”, pioneering Emmy award-winning Disney/ ESPN’s Animated Telecasts (e.g. NHL Big City Greens Classic, Toy Story Funday Football), and negotiating new deals with EA Sports, COSM Immersive Venues, Sony/ Beyond Sports, Vivid Seats, WSC Sports and others.
He is a proud member of the The Village for Families & Children Board of Directors, and volunteers with Fetching Hearts, Double Dog Rescue, and, through ESPN, worked with Connecticut Special Olympics, NYC Marathon, Peace Players International, and the Boys & Girls Clubs.
Malet graduated from Brown University as an Economics and Urban Studies major and a member of the Track & Field team and earned a Masters degree from Georgetown University’s SIM program.
Zack Malet:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zackmalet/
On this episode of the SeventySix Capital Sports Leadership Show, Wayne Kimmel interviewed the CEO & Co-Founder of ShotTracker, Davyeon Ross.
Originally from Trinidad and Tobago, Ross came to the United States on a basketball scholarship to Benedictine College, where he was a four-year letterman and earned a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science with minors in business and mathematics. He later completed his MBA at MidAmerica Nazarene University.
Ross is best known as the co-founder and President of DDSports, the company behind ShotTracker—a groundbreaking sensor-based analytics platform that delivers real-time basketball statistics. ShotTracker has been adopted by major universities and professional organizations, transforming how coaches, players, and fans engage with the game. Under his leadership, ShotTracker secured high-profile partnerships, including with the Big 12 Conference, ESPN, Verizon, and Evertz.
Before ShotTracker, Ross founded AthletixNation, a multimedia sports content platform, and later Digital Sports Ventures, which was acquired by Digital Broadcasting Group. His entrepreneurial journey has been marked by successful exits and recognition, including being named to Ingram’s Magazine’s “20 in their Twenties” and “40 under 40” lists.
Beyond his ventures, Ross is deeply committed to fostering innovation and equity. He leads the Coalition Venture Studio, an initiative featured by Forbes, aimed at closing the venture capital gap for Black entrepreneurs by building strategic partnerships with VCs, corporations, and brands. He also serves on the boards of several organizations, including the Keystone Innovation District, Benedictine College, and the Greater Kansas City Community Foundation, working to connect diverse communities and drive inclusive economic growth.
Ross’s career exemplifies a passion for technology, sports, and community impact, making him a prominent figure in both the Kansas City entrepreneurial landscape and the broader sports-tech industry.
Davyeon Ross:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davyeonross/
X: https://x.com/davyeonross
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/davyeonross/
ShotTracker: https://shottracker.com/
On this episode of the SeventySix Capital Sports Leadership Show, Wayne Kimmel interviewed the COO & Co-Founder of Vetri Restaurant Group, Jeff Benjamin.
After graduating from The University of Massachusetts Amherst, Benjamin met Marc Vetri in New York City while working in the food industry. When Marc decided to return to his native Philadelphia to open Vetri Cucina, he tapped Benjamin to be his business partner and general manager—and the rest is history.
Today, Benjamin serves as co-founder of Vetri Cucina, and has worked alongside Marc to open many restaurants in the past 25 years including Fiorella, Fiore Rosso and MVP located in the Philadelphia area, and Osteria Fiorella and Vetri Cucina in Las Vegas. Benjamin is the co-founder and a board member of the Vetri Community Partnership.
In 2015, he published his first book, Front of the House: Restaurant Manners, Misbehaviors & Secrets, a behind-the-scenes look at the details that go into an evening out. In addition to operating restaurants, Benjamin enjoys helping entrepreneurs in the food and beverage industry through angel investing and consultation.
Benjamin recently released, "Extra Innings: A Memoir of Fathers, Sons, Fandom, and Fate" which explores the relationships between generations and the passion of being a sports fan, and the bond between a father and son through their shared love for the Chicago Cubs. Benjamin intertwines themes of family, faith, social justice, and personal growth.
Currently he is an investor and sits on the boards of Federal Donuts, a quick serve restaurant company, and Simply Good Jars, a CPG salad product for the foodservice and grocery industry.
Benjamin lives in Philadelphia with his wife, Melissa, and has two daughters. When not working, he can be found spending time with his family and rooting for his beloved sports teams, the Cubs and 76ers.
Jeff Benjamin:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeff-benjamin-57472a132/
X: @RkBenji
On this episode of the SeventySix Capital Sports Leadership Show, Wayne Kimmel interviewed Randy Pritzker, the former CEO of Omicron Group.
Pritzker is the former CEO of Omicron Consulting, a company specializing in application development, network services, and hardware/software reselling. During his tenure, he launched initiatives like XMLabs to provide specialized consulting services. Pritzker graduated from Pennsylvania State University with a degree in marketing.
Beyond his corporate career, Pritzker has served as a high school basketball referee, demonstrating his commitment to community involvement and sportsmanship.
On this episode of the SeventySix Capital Sports Leadership Show, Wayne Kimmel interviewed the Executive Chairman of Playfly Sports and Venture Partner at SeventySix Capital, Michael Schreiber.
Schreiber brings his operational experience and media competency to the SeventySix Capital team as it continues to invest in the convergence of the physical and digital worlds in sports, where media serves as the glue between the two. Additionally, he uses his expansive network to grow SeventySix Capital’s strategic investor base and enhances the team’s media, digital, and television relationships.
Schreiber is the Executive Chairman of Playfly the company he founded in 2020 with the backing of Sinclair Broadcast Group and Access Holdings. Playfly has four key business divisions - media, properties, technology and global partnerships. As the CEO of Playfly, Schreiber completed more than 10 acquisitions, and the employee count grew to more than 1,000 people. Playfly works with more than 2,000 brand partners, which include professional teams and college athletics departments such as Auburn, LSU, Maryland, Michigan State, Penn State, USC, Villanova, Virginia, and Virginia Tech.
Schreiber served as the Chief Content Officer at Fortune 500 company Altice USA and President of Altice USA News. He was a founding member of Altice USA, part of their first management team, their 2017 IPO, and a key stakeholder in their acquisition of Cheddar. As president, Schreiber had direct oversight of its 13 networks and 600+ people.
Prior to joining Altice USA, he spent 14 years at NBCUniversal and Comcast in several commercial, operating and revenue roles, including SVP of Content at Comcast, and VP of Business Development & Strategy at NBCUniversal Digital Distribution.
During his time at Comcast NBCUniversal, Schreiber helped partner in the development, formation and launch of Hulu in 2007. He was also involved in some of the media industry's first digital distribution deals with the likes of Netflix, Amazon, and Apple.
He also has board experience, competency in revenue and value generation, and turn-around and restructuring skills via his time as an Altice executive.
He graduated from the University of Virginia, has a Master of Business Administration from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University, and attended an executive education program at Harvard Business School.
Michael Schreiber:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-schreiber-4b262a1/
X: https://x.com/maschreiber