What Vaunt does

Vaunt is a sports and culture entertainment company that develops alternative sporting competitions and original media content targeting Millennial and Gen Z audiences. The company is co-founded by Roger Mason Jr. (former NBA player, former Deputy Director of the NBA Players Association, and Commissioner of the Big3) and Omari Ware (media and hospitality executive), and operates from New York with a team of 1-10. Its product portfolio spans branded live-event IP — including the World PONG celebrity league with Post Malone, Big Hit Padel with DJ Blondish, the FIBA 3x3 Americup, Summer Run (an offseason NBA player fantasy camp), and the All American Mini Camp — alongside the ProPlay corporate experience offering and a podcast network featuring athletes and entertainers such as Justice Winslow, Kristaps Porzingis, Serge Ibaka, and Antonio Brown.

The underlying technology footprint is intentionally light: Vaunt is positioned as a content and events business, not a software platform. Distribution runs through the company website, a downloadable ProPlay pitch deck, direct phone and email outreach, and social/video channels (Instagram, YouTube, Vimeo, X/Twitter). There is no proprietary app, API, or SDK. ProPlay is the primary commercial product, delivering end-to-end corporate outing experiences in which companies compete alongside former professional athletes in basketball, 7-on-7 football, soccer, and pickleball, with services covering talent acquisition, event operations, and media production.

The business model is professional services revenue from custom-quote-based corporate event bookings, supplemented by media content production (podcasts, athlete documentaries) and live sports competition events. Pricing is not publicly disclosed and is negotiated per engagement. Go-to-market is enterprise field sales targeting corporate clients for team-building and employee engagement, supported by event-driven and community-led motions. Vaunt has raised approximately $5 million in disclosed funding since 2017, with the most recent round ($5M) in April 2022 from Elysian Park Ventures, InfiniteWorld, and True Culture Fund. Note: a separate, unrelated Vaunt operates as a subsidiary of Volato Group in the private aviation space; that entity's financials and partnerships should not be attributed to the sports and entertainment company described here.

Name

Vaunt

Legal name

Vaunt, Inc.

Website

https://vaunt.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2014

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Vaunt is a sports and culture entertainment company developing alternative sporting competitions and media content for Millennial and Gen Z audiences, offering corporate athlete experiences (ProPlay), celebrity leagues (World PONG), and a podcast network, serving enterprise clients through direct sales.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Corporate Experiential Entertainment and Sports Media

NAICS

Spectator Sports (7112), Promoters of Performing Arts, Sports, and Similar Events (7113), Other Spectator Sports (711219), Agents and Managers for Artists, Athletes, Entertainers, and Other Public Figures (7114)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900), Services-Miscellaneous Amusement & Recreation (7990), Services-Motion Picture & Video Tape Production (7812)

akta.pro primary industry

Mass Participation Race Organizers (Runs, Triathlons, Cycling) (MPAKADAD)

akta.pro secondary industry

Sports Fundraising & Development Services (Foundations, NIL Collectives Support) (MPAKAKAK)

Keywords

• Corporate event experiences
• Athlete-led entertainment
• Alternative sports competitions
• Sports media production
• Experiential team building

Headquarters

HQ city

New York

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. ProPlay Corporate Events: Revenue from organizing and executing corporate sports events featuring professional athletes. Provides end-to-end event planning including talent acquisition, operations, and media production for corporate clients seeking unique team-building experiences.
2. Media Content Production: Revenue from original media content including podcasts and video programming featuring athletes and entertainers. The 'Acclaim' section showcases athlete documentaries and podcast network content.
3. Live Sports Competitions: Revenue from organizing alternative sporting competitions such as World PONG league, FIBA 3x3 Americup, and other branded tournaments targeting Millennial and Gen Z audiences.
4. Partnership & Network Fees: Revenue from expanding operator networks and partnerships. Note: This source refers to the aviation Vaunt subsidiary of Volato, which may have different revenue dynamics.

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Vaunt organizes and executes corporate sports outings (ProPlay) featuring competitions with professional athletes, plus operates alternative sports properties (World PONG, Big Hit Padel, Summer Run, FIBA 3x3 Americup) and produces original podcast/video media content featuring athletes and entertainers. The company provides end-to-end services including athlete talent acquisition, event planning and operations, and media production.

Product overview

Vaunt is a sports and culture entertainment company that develops alternative sporting competitions and original media content targeting Millennial and Gen Z audiences. The company operates a platform of products including ProPlay (corporate event experiences with professional athletes), live sports competitions (World PONG, Big Hit Padel, Summer Run, All American Mini Camp, FIBA 3x3 Americup), and a podcast network featuring athlete and entertainer programming. ProPlay serves as the primary corporate offering with end-to-end event planning capabilities, while the live events and podcasts form the media content pillar of the business.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• ProPlay: Corporate sports experiences featuring competitions with professional athletes, including talent acquisition, event planning, and media production services.
• World PONG
• Big hit padel
• Podcast Network

Products and services

• ProPlay ProPlay is a corporate outing service that connects companies with legendary former athletes for lighthearted athletic competitions including basketball, 7-on-7 football, soccer, and pickleball. The offering includes talent acquisition and relations, end-to-end event planning and operations, and media production, with optional add-ons such as corporate galas, Q&A panels, cocktail hours, and HQ-site visits. It is targeted at corporate clients seeking differentiated team-building and employee engagement experiences.
• World PONG World PONG is a celebrity pong league co-created with Post Malone, featuring major entertainment figures in competitive pong matchups. It operates as a live event property that combines sport and pop culture to engage audiences.
• Big Hit Padel Big Hit Padel is a live padel sports event property that fuses sport, music, and culture, featuring celebrity DJ Blondish and collaborators. The property targets audiences at the intersection of athletics and entertainment.
• Summer Run Summer Run is an offseason fantasy basketball camp featuring some of the best NBA players, offering immersive basketball experiences for participants.
• All American Mini Camp All American Mini Camp is a high school basketball mini camp featuring the nation's top All American prospects, providing elite youth basketball training and exposure.
• FIBA 3x3 Americup FIBA 3x3 Americup is the championship tournament of the Americas featuring the best national men's and women's 3x3 basketball teams from North, Central, and South America.
• Vaunt Podcast Network Vaunt Podcast Network is the company's portfolio of original podcast and video programming featuring athletes and entertainers, including Fenomeno (Ronaldo), Volume (Post Malone, Future, Mike Will), Courtside (Justice Winslow, Kristaps Porzingis, Serge Ibaka), and 84:7 (Antonio Brown). The network supports advertiser relationships and brand sponsorships.

Quantifiable outcome

• Vaunt ARR reached $3 million in Q1 2026 (referring to aviation Vaunt subsidiary)

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Two partnerships are on record, tiered minor.

• Coastal SeaplanesminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 October 2025Coastal Seaplanes partnered with Vaunt (aviation subsidiary of Volato) ahead of NBAA-BACE to expand flight options including seaplane excursions, increasing Vaunt's coverage and member engagement. This partnership is specific to the aviation Vaunt, not the sports and entertainment Vaunt.
• Axiom Aviation GroupminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 October 2025Axiom Aviation Group joined Vaunt's (Volato) network ahead of NBAA-BACE to provide cross-country jet services and expand coverage. This partnership is specific to the aviation Vaunt subsidiary of Volato, not the sports and entertainment Vaunt company.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Big3: Celebrity professional basketball league featuring former NBA players. Directly comparable because it operates a celebrity-driven sports IP at the intersection of athletics and entertainment, and Vaunt's co-founder Roger Mason Jr. served as its Commissioner.
• Overtime: Sports media and league operator targeting Gen Z audiences with original video content, social-first distribution, and proprietary basketball leagues (OTE, Overtime Elite). Directly comparable as a sports-culture media company with league operations aimed at younger fans.
• Athletes First: Leading sports talent agency representing professional athletes across multiple sports. Comparable because it monetizes elite athlete relationships through representation and commercial deals, similar to how Vaunt leverages its founder's athlete network for events and content.
• Wave Sports + Entertainment: Digital sports media company (parent of Whistle, MaxPreps, and athlete-led channels) producing sports content and properties for younger audiences. Comparable as a digitally native sports content and event company operating in the same Millennial/Gen Z sports-culture space.
• Excel Sports Management: Sports talent agency representing athletes, coaches, and broadcasters in golf, tennis, baseball, and basketball. Comparable because it operates in the same athlete representation and commercial-deal ecosystem that underpins Vaunt's event and content production.
• The Players' Tribune: Athlete-driven media platform featuring first-person stories and content from professional athletes. Comparable as a creator-economy sports media property using athlete IP for editorial and brand purposes, mirroring Vaunt's podcast network and documentary slate.

Emerging players

• Blue Wire Podcasts: Sports podcast network aggregating and producing sports shows with athlete and host personalities. Comparable to Vaunt's Podcast Network as a sports-focused audio content business built on athlete relationships.
• Jomboy Media: Digital sports media company producing viral video content, analysis, and original programming around sports moments. Comparable as a digitally native sports content company monetizing audience attention through social and video platforms.
• TGL presented by SoFi: Tech-infused team golf league launched by Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy featuring PGA Tour professionals in primetime team competition. Comparable as a celebrity-athlete-driven league targeting younger, entertainment-oriented sports audiences.

Broad incumbents

• WSC Sports: Sports content technology company powering automated real-time video highlights and content for leagues, broadcasters, and teams. Comparable as a sports media technology and content business operating at the intersection of leagues, athletes, and digital distribution.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/vaunt
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@vaunttv
• Instagraminstagram.com/vaunt

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds4 records

Investors5 records

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Vaunt