ATLANTA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Players' Lounge, a NIL focused platform built to empower relationships between current and former college athletes and their respective fanbases, today announces a seed investment from prominent Silicon Valley venture capital firm Draper Associates and a partnership with Brinx.TV, a content production and distribution platform founded by 6-time Emmy Award winning creator, host, and producer John Brenkus. Since launching in early 2022, The Players’ Lounge has partnered with more 250 student-athletes, generating more than $1.4MM in revenues through content, digital assets, and real life experiences. With the backing of Tim Draper and John Brenkus, the company gears up for a big 2023.
Former student-athletes and teammates at the University of Georgia, Keith Marshall (CEO) and Aaron Murray (President) bring experience across start-ups, strategy consulting, private equity, broadcast media and programming. Together with the team at The Players' Lounge, they are disrupting the traditional value chain in collegiate sports and entertainment and are well-positioned to redefine the fan experience for both fans and players alike.
After meeting Keith at a conference, Atlanta based business mogul Karen Robinson fell in love with the team's vision and joined the company as an advisor and early investor. Through her extensive experience and network, she recommended that the company raise capital and facilitated an introduction to Tim Draper, whom she felt would be a great fit for The Players’ Lounge. That introduction ultimately led to Tim’s fund, Draper Associates, making a capital contribution to The Players’ Lounge in November. “Keith, Aaron, and the TPL team embody the passion and authenticity of college athletics. Their player-first approach to fan engagement has them perfectly positioned to capitalize on the shifting landscape of the NIL, and we’re thrilled to be a part of their journey,” states James Walker of Draper Associates.
Mr. Draper is not the only notable personality excited about what The Players’ Lounge is building. John Brenkus, one of the sports industry's most innovative producers and hosts, has also acquired a stake in the company. "What Keith, Aaron and the whole Player's Lounge team have built should grab the attention of everyone in the NIL space, and for good reason. We are thrilled to be a part of it and are confident that, together, we will deliver unrivaled access and programming," says Brenkus. Brenkus and his team at Brinx.TV, will work alongside The Players’ Lounge giving the company a distinct advantage in the space.
"We’re thrilled to team up with John and his team at Brinx.TV as we continue to build the media side of our platform," states Keith Marshall, CEO, The Players' Lounge. "I believe the technology, expertise, and relationships they’ve cultivated will be invaluable as we work to create first in class content and experiences for fans."
About Keith Marshall
Keith Marshall is a former collegiate and NFL running back, playing for the University of Georgia and Washington Commanders. Following a career-ending knee injury, Marshall obtained his MBA from Emory University Goizueta Business School. While in school, Keith spent time working at McKinsey & Company and Accel-KKR.
About Aaron Murray
Aaron Murray is a former collegiate and NFL quarterback, playing for the University of Georgia and the Kansas City Chiefs. He continues to hold the record for career touchdowns in the SEC. He is currently a college football color commentator and SiriusXM radio host for ESPN.
About The Player's Lounge
The Players' Lounge is a platform built by lettermen to empower relationships within the collegiate sports community through connecting current and former athletes with their respective fan bases while providing opportunities for student-athletes to monetize their individual brands. The Players' Lounge is the first NIL community envisioned by players built for both fans and players alike. To learn more, visit https://www.theplayerslounge.io/ and follow TPL on Instagram (@thplayerslounge), Twitter (@thplayerslounge), and Facebook (@thplayerslounge).
