Unlocking Potential: BLA's Vision for Empowering Athletes Globally

Explore BLA's mission to empower athletes worldwide, from their origin story to forging global ties and leveraging private equity investments in this insightful edition.

Welcome to Big League Advantage

Our Origin Story

In this inaugural edition of the BLA newsletter, we're thrilled to introduce you to Big League Advantage (BLA), BLA and industry updates.

Michael Schwimer, Photographer: Drew Hallowell/Getty Images

Born out of a deep understanding of the challenges faced by aspiring athletes combined with analytical foresight, BLA was founded in 2016 by former Major League pitcher, Michael Schwimer. During his three seasons in the minors, he witnessed firsthand the immense sacrifices and unwavering determination of himself and his teammates, as they pursued their dreams of Major League success.

After playing in the Big Leagues for a few years, his experiences ignited a passion within to create a supportive environment that empowers athletes and provides them with the tools and resources necessary to navigate the arduous journey to the Big Leagues.

At BLA, we understand that the path to being a top-tier athlete is no easy feat.

BLA is comprised of top-notch data analysts and operations experts who are dedicated to providing unique partnership opportunities for athletes.

The BLA analytics team is comprised of data scientists and engineers experienced in the fields of machine learning, data science, and predictive statistics.

But our team's expertise extends far beyond the realms of data and analytics. Several of our members have played professional sports, worked for professional teams and labor unions, giving them a firsthand understanding of the grind it takes to make it to the next level.

At BLA, our mission is clear: to partner with athletes to provide a comprehensive support system that allows them to focus solely on their growth and development within their sport, propelling them toward their ultimate goal of reaching the pinnacle of their career, and setting them up for success on and off the field.

More than an “On-The-Field” Affair — The Story of Kole Enright

Photos by Brandon Wade / Texas Rangers

This past April, BLA athlete Kole Enright sat down with the Boston Herald to discuss how his partnership with BLA gave him the opportunity to participate in utilizing top-tier training tools and resources that would aid him on his journey to the Big Leagues.

You can view the full article from the Boston Herald, here.

Like so many kids, I grew up idolizing baseball stars and dreaming of one day making it to the big leagues myself. My hero was Chipper Jones of the Atlanta Braves. Through natural talent and countless hours of practice, I got the chance to pursue that dream when the Texas Rangers drafted me in the third round in 2016.

I was overjoyed but also knew the real work was just beginning. The minor leagues are brutally competitive, and most players never get the call up to the majors.

You only have a short window to impress coaches before potentially getting passed over for younger prospects.

Despite getting a decent $675,000 signing bonus, it wasn't nearly enough for me to afford all the extra training and resources that could give me an edge - things like personal coaches, nutritionists, elite equipment and facilities

My teammates and I were just getting by on our modest minor league salaries. Any additional support was out of reach financially.

That's when I discovered a company called Big League Advantage (BLA). They offered an incredible opportunity - a lump sum payment in exchange for a percentage of any future MLB earnings if I made it to the majors.

It was a chance to invest in myself and my dream.

BLA uses in-depth analysis to identify promising prospects. They provided me with hundreds of thousands of dollars to cover living expenses, get world-class training, optimal nutrition plans, and whatever else I needed to develop my skills to the fullest potential.

In the end, I didn't make it to the majors after five years in the Rangers and Marlins systems. But I have zero regrets, because BLA's investment allowed me to go after my baseball dreams without the distraction of financial stress. When I hung up my cleats, I was able to transition into a new opportunity by investing in and joining a startup, CB Supplements.

The money from BLA set me up to move forward with my life and career after baseball. Without them, I may have had to quit playing much sooner out of necessity versus getting a legitimate shot at making the big leagues.

Some critics argue these types of deals take advantage of athletes, but that couldn't be further from the truth. BLA empowered me to chase my aspirations to the fullest.

They provided support when I needed it most in exchange for a small piece of potential future earnings that may never have existed otherwise. For athletes like me, that opportunity is invaluable.

Kole Enright

Forging Global Ties — The Latest From WBSC’s Event in Switzerland

BLA Team members in Lausanne, Switzerland, May 10, 2024. Victoria Lares (Baseball Administrative Officer) and Michael Schwimer (CEO)

BLA’s recent visit to Switzerland for the World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) 10th Anniversary Event was a significant step towards BLA’s goal of promoting the global growth and accessibility of baseball and softball to all. The full press release outline our partnership with WBSC can be found here.

WBSC is the world governing body for the sports of baseball, softball, and Baseball5. As an organization dedicated to empowering athletes worldwide, BLA recognizes the importance of fostering a diverse and inclusive environment where individuals from all corners of the globe can come together and embrace the game of baseball.

At the WBSC event, BLA had the opportunity to engage with league executives and key stakeholders from various countries, highlighting the organization's commitment to breaking down barriers and providing equal opportunities for talented players, regardless of their geographic location, socioeconomic status, or cultural background.

The WBSC event served as a powerful platform for BLA to promote its mission of enabling anyone, anywhere, to pursue their dreams of playing baseball at the highest level.

By connecting with league executives and sharing their vision, BLA has opened doors for potential collaborations and partnerships that can expand their reach to new frontiers. By fostering collaborations and aligning efforts, organizations like BLA and the WBSC can collectively contribute to the sustainable development of baseball, ensuring that it not only thrives, but also becomes accessible to a broader audience.

Moreover, the discussions at the WBSC event undoubtedly shed light on the promising future that lies ahead for baseball and softball. As these sports continue to spread their roots across different countries and cultures, the demand for resources and support systems that nurture and develop talent will only grow.

TAIPEI, Taiwan

As the world becomes increasingly interconnected, the importance of embracing diversity and providing equal opportunities in sports cannot be overstated. BLA's presence at the WBSC event signifies its commitment to this cause, and the promising future that lies ahead is one where talent knows no boundaries, and dreams can be pursued without limitations.

Private Equity's Sports Investing Surge Creates New Opportunities

Chart by Andrew Petcash, Profluence Capital. Data sourced from Forbes.

Industry Updates

For years, professional sports teams and leagues were considered niche investments that flew under the radar of major private equity firms.

However, that perception has dramatically shifted in recent times as these financial giants have recognized the immense potential.

What was once an afterthought has now become a booming market, with private equity firms eagerly seeking stakes in franchises across various leagues and sports.

This influx of institutional capital not only provides teams with much-needed funding but also presents new avenues for growth and development within the entire sports ecosystem.

Per Andrew Petcash, leading the charge in this paradigm shift are several prominent private equity players, including Arctos Partners with over $7 billion invested primarily in sports teams, and RedBird Capital, boasting an impressive $10 billion in sports-related assets, including ownership of the famed AC Milan soccer club.

Even industry giants like Silver Lake, with $102 billion in assets under management, have made strategic forays into the sports realm through majority ownership of entities like the UFC, WWE, and Professional Bull Riders.

Via Sportico

The appeal of sports investments for private equity firms lies in the combination of potential growth and relatively low correlation with other traditional asset classes.These investments also tend to be highly speculative and illiquid, so are not for all investors.

As team valuations continue to rise, these firms recognize the potential opportunity for substantial returns while diversifying their portfolios. 

Moreover, the sports industry's global reach and ever-increasing popularity have caught the attention of institutional investors seeking exposure to non-traditional markets. From European soccer leagues to emerging sports like lacrosse and mixed martial arts, private equity's influence is being felt across the board.

At BLA, we recognize the transformative impact that private equity investment can have on the sports landscape. By providing critical financial resources and strategic guidance, these firms can empower athletes, teams, and entire leagues to reach new heights.

As we continue to foster relationships with industry leaders and facilitate opportunities for our clients, we remain committed to harnessing the power of private equity to create a more prosperous and sustainable future for sports.

In the ever-evolving world of sports finance, the surge of private equity investments represents a pivotal moment. With their deep pockets and long-term vision, these firms are poised to unlock untapped potential, drive innovation, and shape the next chapter of sports excellence on a global scale.

The content herein is provided for informational purposes only and is not intended to serve as an offer to sell, or solicitation of an offer to buy, any security, other investment product or investment advisory service.

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