The professional athlete management industry in the US focuses on guiding athletes in various aspects, from contract negotiations to brand development. Companies range from agencies representing individual athletes to tech startups providing platforms for training and analytics. This sector is evolving, with increasing emphasis on mental health, sponsorship opportunities, and the leveraging of technology for enhanced athlete performance. Notably, recent trends include shifts towards advisory services in career management, reflecting the growing complexities faced by professional athletes. As sports technology continues to advance, the demand for specialized management skills and tools is expected to rise rapidly.


The list of investors includes venture capital firms, corporate entities, and investment banks from key US locations like California, Illinois, and New York. Founded between 1995 and 2023, these firms vary in size, with employee counts ranging from small teams to over 10,000. In 2024, they collectively contributed to numerous deals, indicating a robust activity in athlete management investments. Noteworthy investors include HUB International, with its focus on athlete insurance, and Y Combinator, recognized for nurturing innovative startups targeting athlete development.


Top 19 Professional Athlete Management Investors in the US


1. HUB International

  • Website: hubinternational.com
  • Type: Corporate
  • Headquarters: Chicago, Illinois, United States (USA)
  • Founded year: 1998
  • Headcount: 10001+
  • Number of deals in 2024: 37
  • LinkedIn: hub-international

HUB International Limited is a corporate insurance brokerage based in Chicago, Illinois, founded in 1998. With over 10,000 employees, HUB provides a comprehensive range of insurance and risk management services tailored to businesses, organizations, and individuals. Their offerings include business insurance, employee benefits, retirement services, and personal insurance. Notably, HUB has made strategic acquisitions to bolster its presence in the sports and entertainment industry, such as the acquisition of Risk Point Consulting, which enhances their specialty practice in this area. Additionally, their acquisition of Dissinger Reed, a broker that provides insurance for over 200 colleges and universities, further illustrates their engagement with the sports sector. These transactions highlight HUB International's commitment to serving high-profile clients, including professional athletes, by offering specialized insurance solutions that address their unique needs.


2. 500 Global

  • Website: 500.co
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: San Francisco, California, United States (USA)
  • Founded year: 2010
  • Headcount: 201-500
  • Number of deals in 2024: 98
  • LinkedIn: 500-startups

500 Global is a venture capital firm and startup accelerator based in San Francisco, California, founded in 2010. The firm specializes in investing in early-stage technology companies, providing funding, mentorship, and resources to help founders scale their businesses. With a global focus, 500 Global has made significant investments in various sectors, including sports. Notable transactions include investments in OpenSponsorship, which raised $1,100,000 in a Pre-Seed round in 2016, facilitating athlete sponsorships, and Sportwey, which raised an undisclosed amount in a Seed round in 2018, likely related to sports management. These investments highlight 500 Global's engagement in the professional athlete management industry, alongside its broader technology investment strategy.


3. Y Combinator

  • Website: ycombinator.com
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: San Francisco, California, United States (USA)
  • Founded year: 2005
  • Headcount: 51-200
  • Number of deals in 2024: 802
  • LinkedIn: y-combinator

Y Combinator is a prominent startup accelerator and venture capital firm based in San Francisco, California, founded in 2005. It specializes in providing funding and mentorship to early-stage technology companies, having successfully launched over 4,000 startups. Y Combinator operates a structured program that offers resources such as the Startup School and co-founder matching services. Among its notable transactions, Y Combinator has invested in 'Let’s Do This', a UK-based endurance event marketplace that raised significant funding rounds, including a $60 million Series B with participation from athlete-investors like Serena Williams and Usain Bolt. This involvement highlights Y Combinator's engagement in the sports sector, particularly in areas that connect technology and athlete management.


4. Deep Tech Fund (an Alumni Ventures Fund)

  • Website: av.vc
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Manchester, New Hampshire, United States (USA)
  • Founded year: 2023
  • Headcount: 51-200
  • Number of deals in 2024: 258
  • LinkedIn: deep-tech-fund-av-focused-fund

The Deep Tech Fund, part of Alumni Ventures, is a venture capital firm based in Manchester, New Hampshire, founded in 2023. It provides accredited investors and institutions access to diversified venture portfolios, leveraging a network of over 10,000 investors to connect them with high-quality startup opportunities. Among its notable transactions, the fund participated in the Seed Round for Baseball United, a venture that aims to enhance the baseball ecosystem. Additionally, it was involved in the Series A funding for Zone7, a California-based AI and machine learning platform that assists sports organizations in predicting injury risks and improving athlete performance. These investments highlight the fund's interest in the intersection of technology and sports, particularly in enhancing athlete management and performance.


5. Gaingels

  • Website: gaingels.com
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Burlington, Vermont, United States (USA)
  • Founded year: 2015
  • Headcount: 11-50
  • Number of deals in 2024: 60
  • LinkedIn: gaingels

Gaingels is a venture capital firm founded in 2015, based in Burlington, Vermont, dedicated to investing in companies with diverse leadership. The firm aims to foster diversity and inclusion in the innovation economy by providing capital and support to startups, particularly those led by underrepresented groups. Gaingels has been actively involved in various transactions, including a significant investment in PredictionStrike, which raised $10 million in Series A funding in June 2023. PredictionStrike is a platform that allows users to trade shares in athletes, directly linking it to the professional athlete management industry. Additionally, Gaingels has invested in Uplift Labs, which specializes in AI-powered technology for movement tracking and 3D analysis, indicating a focus on enhancing athletic performance. Their investment in Overtime, which raised $80 million in Series C funding, also highlights their interest in sports-related ventures. Through these investments, Gaingels not only supports diverse leadership but also contributes to the growth of companies that intersect with the professional athlete management space.


6. Elysian Park Ventures


Elysian Park Ventures is a Los Angeles-based venture capital firm founded in 2016, specializing in the sports industry. The firm provides capital and strategic advisory services to companies at various stages of growth, particularly those innovating at the intersection of sports, technology, health, and commerce. Notable transactions include their participation in the Professional Fighters League, where they contributed to significant funding rounds, indicating a strong interest in professional sports management. Additionally, their investment in LeagueApps, which supports youth sports organizations, and in Vaunt, a startup focused on sports and entertainment, showcases their commitment to enhancing the sports ecosystem. Elysian Park Ventures aims to empower entrepreneurs and businesses in the sports sector, making them a relevant player in professional athlete management.


7. Stadia Ventures


Stadia Ventures is a venture capital firm based in St. Louis, Missouri, founded in 2015. The firm specializes in the sports and esports sectors, providing funding, accelerator programs, and mentorship to startups and entrepreneurs. Stadia Ventures aims to help these entities navigate the challenges of growth and innovation within the sports industry. Notably, they participated in the Series C funding round for Teamworks, a platform designed for athlete engagement, which raised $25 million. This investment underscores their commitment to enhancing the professional athlete experience. Additionally, they have been involved in other transactions such as Block Six Analytics, Blinder, Galea Health, and Sportcor, which, while not all directly related to athlete management, contribute to the broader sports ecosystem that supports athletes and their management needs.


8. Live Nation Entertainment

  • Website: livenationentertainment.com
  • Type: Corporate
  • Headquarters: Beverly Hills, California, United States (USA)
  • Founded year: 1996
  • Headcount: 10001+
  • Number of deals in 2024: 5
  • LinkedIn: live-nation

Live Nation Entertainment is a leading live entertainment company based in Beverly Hills, California, that specializes in producing concerts, selling tickets, and connecting brands to music. Founded in 1996, the company operates globally, managing a vast network of events and artists. In recent years, Live Nation has made significant strides in the talent management space, notably acquiring a controlling stake in Timeline Management, an influencer and talent management company, in December 2024. This acquisition aims to enhance their artist management interests and expand into the influencer management sector. Additionally, Live Nation has a history of acquiring concert promotion companies, such as Frank Productions, Inc. and BDG Music Group, which further solidifies their position in the live entertainment industry. Their acquisition of Ticketmaster Belgium also highlights their commitment to expanding their presence in vibrant live entertainment and sports scenes, which can intersect with professional athlete management.


9. General Catalyst


General Catalyst is a venture capital firm founded in 2000, based in San Francisco, California. The firm specializes in early-stage and growth investments across various industries, including technology and healthcare. Notably, General Catalyst has made significant strides in the professional athlete management sector, acquiring a majority stake in Athletes First LLC, a prominent NFL talent agency, in February 2023. This acquisition highlights their commitment to the sports industry. Furthermore, General Catalyst has been involved in multiple funding rounds for Teamworks, an athlete engagement platform, which raised substantial capital to enhance its offerings for athletes and teams. Their investment in CoachUp, a platform aimed at connecting athletes with coaches, also reflects their interest in supporting athlete development and management. Overall, General Catalyst provides capital and strategic guidance to companies that are pivotal in the professional athlete management landscape.


10. Sosv

  • Website: sosv.com
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: United States (USA)
  • Founded year: 1995
  • Headcount: 51-200
  • Number of deals in 2024: 170
  • LinkedIn: sosv

SOSV is a venture capital firm founded in 1995, based in the United States, that specializes in funding and supporting deep tech startups through its development programs. With a robust portfolio of 170 investments in 2024, SOSV connects innovative companies with investors globally. Among their notable transactions, they have invested in AI Motion Sports, which focuses on technology for sports performance, and Trainersvault, a platform aimed at athlete management and training. These investments highlight SOSV's interest in sectors that can directly impact professional athletes, making them a relevant player in the athlete management space.


11. SV Angel

  • Website: svangel.com
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: San Francisco, California, United States (USA)
  • Founded year: 2009
  • Headcount: 1-10
  • Number of deals in 2024: 44
  • LinkedIn: sv-angel

SV Angel is a venture capital firm based in San Francisco, California, founded in 2009. The firm specializes in investing in early-stage and growth-stage technology companies, providing not only financial backing but also strategic advice and access to a vast network of industry experts. Among their notable investments are 100 Thieves, an esports organization that manages professional gamers and engages with the sports culture, and Underdog Fantasy, a platform that simplifies fantasy sports, attracting celebrity investors including professional athletes. These transactions highlight SV Angel's involvement in sectors that intersect with professional athlete management, showcasing their commitment to fostering innovation in the sports and entertainment landscape.


12. Courtside Ventures

  • Website: courtsidevc.com
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: New York, New York, United States (USA)
  • Founded year: 2015
  • Headcount: 1-10
  • Number of deals in 2024: 7
  • LinkedIn: courtsidevc

Courtside Ventures is a New York-based venture capital firm founded in 2015, specializing in early-stage investments within the sports, lifestyle, and gaming sectors. The firm partners with innovative founders to provide capital and strategic support, helping them navigate growth challenges in these dynamic industries. Notably, Courtside Ventures has invested in several companies relevant to the sports ecosystem, including FanAI, which raised multiple rounds of funding with their participation, focusing on fan engagement and analytics. They also invested in Religion of Sports, a media company that highlights the intersection of sports and storytelling. Their investment in Swoops, a basketball NFT game, further demonstrates their commitment to innovative sports-related ventures, positioning them as a significant player in the sports investment landscape.


13. Silicon Valley Bank

  • Website: svb.com
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Santa Clara, California, United States (USA)
  • Founded year: 1983
  • Headcount: 5001-10000
  • Number of deals in 2024: 31
  • LinkedIn: silicon-valley-bank

Silicon Valley Bank is a commercial bank founded in 1983, specializing in providing financial services to the innovation economy, particularly tech startups and venture capital firms. With a strong presence in Santa Clara, California, the bank offers a range of products including business banking, global payments, and asset management. Notably, Silicon Valley Bank has participated in significant transactions within the sports sector, such as a £50 million investment in Castore, a British sportswear brand, which aims to compete with industry giants and expand its market presence. Additionally, their involvement in the funding of Gen.G Esports highlights their engagement in the esports arena, which is increasingly relevant to professional athletes and the management of their careers. These transactions illustrate Silicon Valley Bank's commitment to supporting growth in sectors that intersect with professional athlete management.


14. The Raine Group

  • Website: raine.com
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: New York, New York, United States (USA)
  • Founded year: 2009
  • Headcount: 201-500
  • Number of deals in 2024: 8
  • LinkedIn: the-raine-group

The Raine Group is a New York-based investment bank founded in 2009, specializing in advisory and investment services within the technology, media, and telecommunications sectors. They provide services such as mergers and acquisitions advisory, private capital raising, and growth equity investments. The Raine Group has been involved in several notable transactions in the sports industry, including the acquisition of beRecruited, which connects high school athletes with college recruiters, and their participation in funding rounds for the Premier Lacrosse League, which focuses on league operations and player development. Additionally, they have invested in the East Asia Super League, aimed at growing basketball in Asia, and have supported other sports-related ventures like Reigning Champs and RCX Sports, further solidifying their presence in the professional athlete management landscape.


15. New Enterprise Associates (NEA)

  • Website: nea.com
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Menlo Park, California, United States (USA)
  • Founded year: 1977
  • Headcount: 51-200
  • Number of deals in 2024: 57
  • LinkedIn: new-enterprise-associates

New Enterprise Associates (NEA) is a venture capital firm founded in 1977, based in Menlo Park, California. NEA specializes in investment management and advisory services for startups, particularly in the technology and healthcare sectors. The firm partners with entrepreneurs to provide funding and strategic guidance, helping them navigate the challenges of building successful businesses. NEA operates through a collaborative approach, emphasizing long-term relationships with founders. Notably, NEA has invested in The Players' Tribune, co-founded by Derek Jeter, participating in both Series A and Series B funding rounds, which raised a total of $55 million. This platform is significant in the professional athlete management context as it serves as a media outlet for athletes to share their stories and connect with fans. Additionally, NEA's involvement in other transactions, such as investments in esports and interactive video solutions, further illustrates their engagement in sectors that intersect with sports and athlete management.


16. Silver Lake

  • Website: silverlake.com
  • Type: Private Equity
  • Headquarters: Menlo Park, California, United States (USA)
  • Founded year: 1999
  • Headcount: 201-500
  • Number of deals in 2024: 11
  • LinkedIn: silver-lake-partners

Silver Lake is a private equity investment firm founded in 1999, based in Menlo Park, California. The firm specializes in technology investments and partners with management teams to provide capital and strategic guidance across various sectors, including enterprise software, financial technology, and health services. Notably, Silver Lake has made significant investments in the sports industry, including the acquisition of Endeavor for $13 billion in April 2024, a company that manages professional athletes and sports properties. Additionally, in November 2019, Silver Lake acquired a stake in City Football Group for $500 million, which is valued at $4.8 billion and includes ownership of Manchester City FC and other clubs. These transactions highlight Silver Lake's commitment to investing in the sports sector, particularly in areas that intersect with professional athlete management.


17. Plug and Play Tech Center


Plug and Play Tech Center is an innovation hub and venture capital firm based in Sunnyvale, California, founded in 2006. They connect startups with corporations to foster growth and innovation, offering various programs including accelerator initiatives and investment opportunities. In 2024, they have made 253 investments, showcasing their active role in the venture capital landscape. Notably, they have invested in sports tech startups such as Blinkfire Analytics, which raised $1 million to enhance social media ROI for professional sports organizations, and G.O.A.T. Fuel, which focuses on sports nutrition. These transactions highlight their engagement in the professional athlete management context, as they support companies that directly impact the sports industry.


18. Launch

  • Website: launch.co
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: San Francisco, California, United States (USA)
  • Founded year: 2010
  • Headcount: 11-50
  • Number of deals in 2024: 46
  • LinkedIn: launch-calacanis

LAUNCH is a startup accelerator and investment firm based in San Francisco, California, founded in 2010. They specialize in supporting early-stage startups through funding and educational programs, investing millions annually in promising ventures. Among their notable transactions, they have invested in GMTM, a platform that aids in athlete development and management, raising funds in multiple pre-seed rounds. Additionally, they participated in a seed funding round for Uplift Labs, which offers AI-driven technology for movement tracking and analysis, further emphasizing their interest in the sports and athlete performance sector. Their diverse portfolio reflects a commitment to fostering innovation that can benefit athletes and the broader sports industry.


19. Intel Capital

  • Website: intelcapital.com
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Santa Clara, California, United States (USA)
  • Founded year: 1991
  • Headcount: 11-50
  • Number of deals in 2024: 23
  • LinkedIn: intelcapital

Intel Capital is a venture capital firm based in Santa Clara, California, founded in 1991. The firm specializes in investing in early-stage technology companies, particularly in areas such as AI, cloud computing, and semiconductor technologies. In addition to providing funding, Intel Capital offers strategic support and access to Intel's extensive resources to help startups scale and innovate. Notably, Intel Capital has participated in several funding rounds for WSC Sports, a company that leverages technology to enhance sports content and analytics. Their investments include a $12 million Series B round in 2016, a $23 million Series C round in 2019, and a $100 million Series D round in 2022. These transactions highlight Intel Capital's interest in companies that are innovating within the sports industry, particularly in areas that can impact athlete management and performance. Additionally, Intel Capital has invested in Sportvision and Dartfish, both of which have connections to sports technology, further emphasizing their relevance in the sports sector.



Professional Athlete Management Insights: Key Investors in the US


InvestorHeadquarterSizeFoundedDeals 2024
HUB InternationalChicago, Illinois, United States (USA)10001+199837
500 GlobalSan Francisco, California, United States (USA)201-500201098
Y CombinatorSan Francisco, California, United States (USA)51-2002005802
Deep Tech Fund (an Alumni Ventures Fund)Manchester, New Hampshire, United States (USA)51-2002023258
GaingelsBurlington, Vermont, United States (USA)11-50201560
Elysian Park VenturesLos Angeles, California, United States (USA)1-1020163
Stadia VenturesSt. Louis, Missouri, United States (USA)1-1020150
Live Nation EntertainmentBeverly Hills, California, United States (USA)10001+19965
General CatalystSan Francisco, California, United States (USA)51-2002000144
SosvUnited States (USA)51-2001995170
SV AngelSan Francisco, California, United States (USA)1-10200944
Courtside VenturesNew York, New York, United States (USA)1-1020157
Silicon Valley BankSanta Clara, California, United States (USA)5001-10000198331
The Raine GroupNew York, New York, United States (USA)201-50020098
New Enterprise Associates (NEA)Menlo Park, California, United States (USA)51-200197757
Silver LakeMenlo Park, California, United States (USA)201-500199911
Plug and Play Tech CenterSunnyvale, California, United States (USA)501-10002006253
LaunchSan Francisco, California, United States (USA)11-50201046
Intel CapitalSanta Clara, California, United States (USA)11-50199123


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