The Sports Business Leaders (SBL) community recently gathered for an unforgettable night at Yards Brewing in Philadelphia, setting the stage for the future of sports innovation. With an electric mix of startup founders, entrepreneurs, corporate leaders, and former professional athletes, the event brought together nearly 200 attendees, proving once again that SBL is the hub for those shaping the sports industry.
This wasn’t just another networking event—it was a powerful convergence of ideas, collaboration, and shared passions. Thanks to our generous sponsors, Insperity (led by Bill Polin) and Duane Morris (represented by AJ Rudowitz), the enhanced upstairs space fostered meaningful conversations, new partnerships, and a forward-thinking approach to sports business.
The Vision Behind SBL
Founded by Justin Titchenell and Jake Voorhees, SBL exists to connect and empower individuals driving innovation in sports. Each event is intentionally designed to spark collaboration between athletes, executives, and entrepreneurs who are shaping the industry’s future. This February meetup was no exception, making a bold statement about the future of sports business.
Special Guests and Game-Changers
One of the night’s standout moments was Carl Pickens’ speech. The two-time NFL Pro Bowler and 1992 NFL Rookie of the Year captivated the audience with his journey—from dominating on the field with the Cincinnati Bengals to becoming a leader in business and mentorship.
Carl shared how, despite being on a struggling Bengals team, he set a personal goal to be the best player he could be, proving that greatness can be achieved in any circumstance. His message about resilience, work ethic, and personal accountability resonated with the crowd, leaving attendees inspired by his perspective on translating an athlete’s mindset into business success.
Shoutouts to Our Vendor Tables & Community Leaders
The night wouldn’t have been the same without some incredible entrepreneurs and brands showcasing their innovative work:
Marty Dunn (Mingma) – Mingma offers a full suite of fractional C-suite and advisory services.
Billy Annesly (Bantee) – This social app for golfers connects them on and off the course, offering various functionalities like community pages, event discovery, group chats, score tracking, event management, and customizable privacy settings.
Allie Scannepieco & Sammi Snyder (Save Our Sundays) – Save Our Sundays is about embracing the Weekend Spirit. Celebrating each day with fun, quality accessories.
Amaya Howard (Sports Shawties) – Building a vibrant space for women to actively engage in sports.
Philadelphia Sports & Business Leaders in the Room
Philly was well represented with industry leaders like:
Gayle Saunders (4th and Jawn Podcast) – A leading voice in Philadelphia sports media.
Kelsie Nolan (Philadelphia Eagles Autism Foundation) – Leading impactful initiatives in sports philanthropy.
Jim Dooney (Philly Sports Trips) – Connecting fans with unforgettable game-day experiences.
Charles Kappe (Wheelhouse Cards) – A one-stop shop for sports cards, memorabilia, and apparel.
High-Impact Founders & Innovators Driving the Future
Throughout the night, founders in sports tech, media, and entrepreneurship shared insights into how they’re pushing the industry forward:
Jack Adler (Out2Win) – Connecting over 300,000 athletes and sports enthusiasts through community-driven technology.
Jesse Wines (Gas Powered Shark Creative) – An expert in branding and creative marketing, helping businesses craft compelling messages that resonate.
Steven Say (NextPick.io) – Using tech-driven solutions to transform sports training.
Justin Leusner and Rob Prince (TDAY Sports) – A digital content visionary who has amassed over 1 billion views.
Special thank you to Tanner Maddocks, founder of Athlete Squared, for taking the lead on our event video.
The Power of Connection & What’s Next
The energy in the room was contagious—SBL is not just about networking, but about sparking real collaboration. The ideas, partnerships, and innovations born from these gatherings are shaping the future of sports business.
If you missed this event, don’t worry—SBL meetups happen every second Wednesday of the month.
👉 Our next SBL Philly event is on March 26th at Yards Brewing.
Mark your calendars, bring your ideas, and be part of the movement.
Community Appreciation & Shoutouts
As we wrap up, we want to extend our heartfelt thanks to the entire SBL community. A special shoutout goes to community champions like Dave Lewanda, Sal Filadri, Matt Wray, Jay Amado, Christine Lee, Paul Dixon, and Matt Gendaszek— your passion, insights, and continuous support are the lifeblood of SBL. Your contributions create a vibrant environment that fuels innovation and collaboration in the sports industry.
We also encourage you to learn more about our sponsors, whose support makes these events possible. Discover how Insperity and Duane Morris are empowering sports business by visiting their websites. Their commitment to excellence and innovation is helping shape the future of our industry.
🚀 The future of sports is being built here—don’t miss your chance to be part of it!
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