Miami, FL – December 5, 2025
During Art Basel Miami, The Players Company brought together athletes, founders, funders, tastemakers, and cultural icons for the second annual Sports, Tech & Venture Experience, celebrating the intersection of sports, arts, innovation, culture, and capital. Hosted in collaboration with Culture House and Plain Sight and set against DUA Miami’s modern design and panoramic rooftop views, the evening was more than a networking event of polished and stylishly dressed guests; it was a moment to connect ideas, build relationships, amplify creative expression, and explore what’s possible when leaders across industries come together to shape the future.
The night began with an invitation-only VIP reception, which welcomed founders who have raised over $1M in capital, VC firms with $50M+ in AUM, current and former professional athletes, team owners, and investors. This vibrant and engaging gathering set the tone for the evening, with candid conversations centered on scaling businesses, navigating investment ecosystems, and the evolving role of athletes as founders and investors.
As the reception came to a close, The Players Company invited all of the esteemed guests to raise a toast to the launch of IMPACT by The Players Company – TPC’s new, nonprofit arm dedicated to empowering athletes and underserved communities through education, entrepreneurship, and economic opportunity, with a focus on advancing financial literacy and global wealth equity.
Shortly after, doors opened for the main program, welcoming a broader group of early-stage founders, investors, and sports professionals. The evening featured two panel discussions, startup presentations, and curated art throughout the space.
Professional Athletes as Founders and Investors
Moderated by Darnell Smith and Tom Zheng (TPC), this panel included:
- Dwayne Bowe (All Pro Academy) NFL
- Dr. Theresa Bowe (82 Ways Foundation)
- Oliver Kupe (Aurelian Capital Partners) MLS
- Zach Johnson (The Hite Group) College Basketball
The discussion explored the realities of transitioning beyond sports and building off the field as athlete-entrepreneurs.
Investing in Culture and Creativity
The second panel brought together:
- Marlon Nichols (MaC Venture Capital)
- Ann Frazier (1731 Management)
- Brandon Middleton-Pratt (Wilson Sonsini)
- Lorine Pendleton (125 Venture Group)
- Sean Green (Aternal)
These founders examined how culture-driven businesses are shaping the future of venture capital and long-term value creation.
Start Up Presentations
The program continued with a series of fast-paced startup presentations, allowing early-stage founders to showcase what they are building in front of investors and operators. Presenting companies included:
- Notice Ninja Inc. (Amanda Reineke)
- We Do It 4 The Culture (Jamila Sams)
- B. Well Botanics (Mariah Gaines)
And of course, an Art Basel event wouldn’t be complete without highlighting the remarkable artists whose work was showcased throughout DUA’s event space.
Artists included:
- Dexter Morton
- Courtney Horn
- Bmore Tuft
- Chris Simon
- Al-Baseer
- Demont Pinder
- Aced Gallery
The night concluded with a dedicated community-building block, where guests connected over food, signature cocktails, and shared interests. The informal, open layout encouraged conversations that extended beyond traditional networking, reinforcing the sense of community that defines The Players Company’s events.
This event reflects a growing movement: athletes taking ownership of their financial futures, founders gaining access to meaningful relationships and capital, and communities coming together to expand opportunity across sports, technology, and culture.
When community comes first, meaningful opportunity follows.
