• Loading stock data...
Saturday, June 28, 2025

Shot Callers: Tracy Deforge, Founder of The Players’ Impact

(Sports Tech Tokyo is a proud partner of Front Office Sports)

Athletes like Kevin Durant and Lebron James have made waves in recent years for their savvy investments as well as their play on the court. More and more professional athletes are following this path by finding ways to branch out as entrepreneurs while expanding their personal horizons.

Tracy Deforge is the founder of The Players Impact: an exclusive group of professional athletes who invest in early stage companies together. Deforge spoke with Front Office Sports at Sports Tech Tokyo about the current landscape of athlete investment, her own history in the startup space, and the type of service that her company provides to athletes looking to invest in small companies.

Edited highlights appear below:

On the difference between traditional athlete investing and what The Players’ Impact does (0:38)

Deforge: “I would think the first distinction is the Kevin Durants of the world that are investing right now, they’re known for traditional venture capital funds. What we’re doing that’s a little bit different is really bringing the athletes to the startups in a new way that is more angel investing style. The athletes are making the decisions themselves, they’re not putting money in the hands of a funds manager, they’re getting educated on how to evaluate opportunities and making the decisions on their own.”

SEE MORE: Shot Callers: Elisa Padilla on Miami Marlins’ New Marketing Strategy

On facilitating relationships between athlete investors and companies (1:30)

Deforge: “What we do is curate good opportunities. So we see, especially in sports tech, a lot of deal flow. Oftentimes, the athletes are bringing them to us and asking us to evaluate. If we think it’s a good opportunity, we’ll bring it back to the broader group and [the athlete] will make the decision on their own. What we’re learning about their process is as they’re having these conversations, they’re learning how to evaluate the deal based on moderated pitch calls that we do.”

Where is there not a lot of interest yet in terms of athlete investment, but will be very soon? (3:18)

Deforge: “Cannabis…There’s the sexiness of a new market and the opportunity that’s coming from a return on your investment in that industry. But yes, they can understand from a medicinal side, maybe from pain management, etc. So there’s the wanting to get into an industry that’s about to take off and up and coming and it makes sense for them as individuals.”

SEE MORE: Shot Callers: Adam Jones on the Miami Marlins’ New Direction

On the importance of the type of service that The Players’ Impact provides their clients (6:07)

Deforge: “What’s different about how we look at it is how they’re investing. They’re not giving their money to a fund manager. They’re actually taking the time to dig in, do the due diligence, and understand not just deploying capital but even when they’re evaluating opportunities to be brand ambassadors. We really our roster through three lenses: the athlete investor, the athlete entrepreneur, and the athlete in transition. That connectivity to that ecosystem can benefit all of them in different ways.”

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Dec 5, 2024; Miami, FL, USA; FIFA president Gianni Infantino presents the FIFA Club World Cup trophy during the Club Word Cup draw at Telemundo Studios.

Revamped Club World Cup Is FIFA’s Billion-Dollar Gamble

The revamped soccer event debuts amid controversy.
Jan 26, 2025; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins (8) against the Buffalo Bills in the AFC Championship game at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium.

DeAndre Hopkins Eyes Venture Capital, Team Ownership

Hopkins, a 12-year NFL veteran, is anticipating his post-career.

MLB Buys Stake in Jomboy Media

The league looks to expand its presence among digital baseball content creators.
Jan 31, 2025; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown (7) reacts to a play against the New Orleans Pelicans during the first half at Smoothie King Center.
opinion

The Celtics Sale Set an NBA Record. How Long Will It Stand?

Owners and investors weigh in on the $6.1 billion Celtics price tag.

Featured Today

Seattle Rough & Tumble

Women’s Sports Bars Are on the Rise. Survival Isn’t Guaranteed

Some women’s sports bars are cashing in. Others are clawing for funding.
June 27, 2025

Shitposters Have Taken the Reins of Pro Sports’ Official Voices

Meet the social media pros turning sports teams into internet trolls.
Jun 17, 2025; Sunrise, Florida, USA; Florida Panthers center Sam Reinhart (13) hoists the Stanley Cup after winning game six of the 2025 Stanley Cup Final against the Edmonton Oilers at Amerant Bank Arena
June 26, 2025

Stanley Cup’s International Summer Tour: Rules, Repairs, and Raucousness

No pro trophy tour compares to the NHL’s three-month global victory lap.
Mar 15, 2025; Fort Worth, TX, USA; UAB Blazers forward Yaxel Lendeborg (3) dribbles the ball upcourt against the North Texas Mean Green during the first half at Dickies Arena
June 22, 2025

NIL Is Shrinking the Pool of NBA Draft Entrants

Agents are now advising many players to stay in school.

Fundamentals: Andrea Williams (Women In Sports)

Welcome to the latest episode of Fundamentals, a Front Office Sports interview…
November 17, 2020

Fundamentals: Women In Esports

On this episode of Fundamentals, three guests join the show to discuss the opportunities for women in the gaming industry, as well as the challenges they face.
February 24, 2021

Fundamentals: Women in Sports

Welcome to the latest episode of Fundamentals, a Front Office Sports interview…
Sponsored

Hottest Matchups Following NFL Schedule Release

The NFL released the 2025 regular-season schedule, and anticipation is already building in the ticket marketplace with four months to go.
September 22, 2020

Fundamentals: USTA CEO Michael Dowse

Dowse, the CEO and executive director of the national governing body for tennis, discussed the unique challenges of a fan-less US Open and growing the sport in the U.S.
July 28, 2020

Fundamentals: RISE CEO Diahann Billings-Burford

Diahann Billings-Burford is the CEO of RISE, a national nonprofit whose mission is to use sports as a means of eliminating racial discrimination and acting as a vehicle for social justice and societal equality.
July 24, 2020

Fundamentals: MLL Commissioner Sandy Brown

Sandy Brown — commissioner of Major League Lacrosse — discusses the logistics and realities of the league’s return to play with a single-location tournament format, along with the growth of the sport as a whole.
July 17, 2020

Fundamentals: Evil Geniuses CEO Nicole LaPointe Jameson

Nicole LaPointe Jameson, CEO of professional esports team Evil Geniuses, discusses the state of esports and what is next for the organization.