Former FSU quarterback Drew Weatherford is now building an investment strategy around what he sees as the next frontier of the sports economy.
Weatherford joins Portfolio Players to discuss Weatherford Capital’s approach to sports investing across youth, college and professional sports outside the Big Four. He explains why he believes the $3 trillion global sports economy remains significantly underpenetrated by private capital, and how the firm’s “sports continuum” strategy connects the youth, college and professional levels. He also breaks down Weatherford Capital’s partnership with the Big 12 and why he believes college athletics has already become professional sports, creating new opportunities for capital, commercialization and revenue growth.
On the youth side, Weatherford discusses the investment thesis behind Curve, the push to make youth sports more efficient while maintaining access, and why he sees youth sports streaming as a major opportunity. He also shares his outlook on the USL and the growth of soccer in the U.S., Weatherford Capital’s investment in the Tampa Bay Rays, potential opportunities in MLB, and the former athlete he looks to as a model for making the transition from sports to institutional investing.
Portfolio Players, presented by E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley, explores how institutional capital, cultural momentum, and strategic ownership are redefining the business of sports.https://youtu.be/CceP_Z7pKEw
