Wave Sports & Entertainment

What Wave Sports & Entertainment does

Wave Sports & Entertainment, operating as Bullpen Sports Network, Inc., is a digital-first sports and entertainment media company headquartered in Santa Monica, California. Its core platform is the Wave Originals network — a portfolio of 13 long-form video podcasts hosted by A-list athletes, comedians, and entertainers (including Kid Cudi's 'Big Bro', Carmelo Anthony's '7PM in Brooklyn', Paul George's 'Podcast P', Bomani Jones's 'The Right Time', Kylie Kelce's 'Not Gonna Lie', Ilona Maher's 'House of Maher', the Tkachuk brothers' 'Wingmen', and Dude Perfect's 'Almost Athletes') — supported by a short-form network of sub-brands (Buckets, Jukes, FTBL, Haymakers) distributed across YouTube, podcast directories, and social channels. The company's underlying technology is multi-platform digital video and podcast production and distribution infrastructure centered on owned-and-operated hub wave.tv, with content mix of 75% video and 25% audio reaching 140M+ cumulative social followers, 1B+ monthly views, and an average audience skew of 75% under 35.

Wave monetizes through four primary revenue streams: (1) advertising and sponsorships sold directly to consumer brands (Google, NFL Sunday Ticket, 2K, American Express, AG1, AT&T, Coca-Cola, State Farm, Allstate, DraftKings, PrizePicks, Liquid IV, MLB, Paramount Plus, MTV) on a quote-based, non-rate-card basis; (2) the Wave Media Agency (WMA), a B2B production, distribution, and monetization service for sports leagues and IP holders including WNBA, Concacaf, Liverpool FC, Serie A, Juventus, Inter Miami, Tennis Channel, Clippers Vision, Next Gen Hoops, and Combate Global; (3) direct-to-consumer merchandise via the Shop Wave Sports storefront, with collections tied to specific shows; and (4) affiliate marketing disclosed in its Terms of Service. Its go-to-market combines enterprise field sales to leagues and consumer-brand advertisers, community-led audience growth via owned social and YouTube channels, channel partnerships through A-list talent hosting exclusive shows, event-driven live activations, and D2C e-commerce. The company is privately held with 101–250 employees and no disclosed revenue; its only documented funding event is a 2017 seed round of $225,000 from Right Side Capital Management, though its privacy policy references investors, indicating subsequent undeclared financing.

Name

Wave Sports & Entertainment

Legal name

Bullpen Sports Network, Inc.

Website

https://wavesportsandentertainment.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2020

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Wave Sports & Entertainment is a digital-first sports media company that produces A-list-talent-hosted video podcasts and short-form content for Gen Z sports fans, monetizing via brand sponsorships, a B2B media agency for sports leagues, merchandise e-commerce, and live events.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Sports Media & Entertainment

NAICS

Media Streaming Distribution Services, Social Networks, and Other Media Networks and Content Providers (516210), Broadcasting and Content Providers (516)

akta.pro primary industry

Short-Form Video for News, Sports & Highlights Platforms (MPACAHAJ)

akta.pro secondary industry

Social/Creator-Led Sports Live Streaming & Watch-Alongs (MPAKAOAI)

Keywords

• Sports media production
• Digital content agency
• Podcast advertising network
• Sports entertainment content
• Branded video distribution

Headquarters

HQ city

Santa Monica

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Advertising & Sponsorships: Brands pay to sponsor shows and place ads across Wave's content network. Includes Sponsorship, Branded Content, and Media buying offerings across YouTube, podcast, and social channels.
2. Media Agency / Production Services: Fee-based production, distribution, and monetization services delivered to leagues, IP holders, and brands through the Wave Media Agency (WMA). Includes on-site coverage, docuseries, branded content production, and content strategy.
3. Merchandise / E-commerce: Direct-to-consumer merchandise sales through Shop Wave Sports storefront, with collections tied to specific shows (NGL, Podcast P, 7PM in Brooklyn, The Right Time).
4. Affiliate Marketing: Affiliate links encoded on some pages earning commissions on click-throughs or purchases, disclosed in Terms of Service.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion6 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Wave Sports & Entertainment produces, distributes, and monetizes a portfolio of digital-first sports and entertainment shows and podcasts hosted by A-list athletes, entertainers, and creators, reaching a Gen Z audience of 140M+ social followers and 1B+ monthly views across YouTube, podcast directories, and short-form social channels. The company layers three commercial offerings on top of this content network: (1) the Wave Media Agency, a B2B production, distribution, and sponsorship agency serving sports leagues, IP holders, and brands; (2) Wave Advertising, selling sponsorship, branded content, and media buys to consumer brand marketers; and (3) Wave Shop, a direct-to-consumer merchandise e-commerce storefront tied to specific shows.

Product overview

Wave Sports & Entertainment is a digital-first sports media and entertainment company built on a platform-plus-modules architecture. The core platform is the Wave podcast/video network, which consists of long-form original shows (Big Bro, Whiskey Ginger, Open Thoughts, So True, Wingmen, Almost Athletes, House of Maher, Straight to Cam, Not Gonna Lie, Podcast P, 7PM in Brooklyn, Closed on Sundays, and The Right Time) plus a short-form network of sub-brands (Buckets, Jukes, FTBL, Haymakers) collectively reaching 1B+ views per month with a 75%-under-35 audience split 75% video / 25% audio. The network feeds three commercial modules: (1) Wave Media Agency (WMA), a B2B production, distribution, and monetization service for leagues and IP holders, A-list talent, and consumer brands; (2) Wave Advertising, offering Sponsorship, Branded Content, and Media buys; and (3) Wave Live Events & Experiences, delivering on-site activations and live programming. The company also operates the Wave Shop merchandise e-commerce site and a Commercial Partnerships program that co-develops talent IP for cross-channel commercial use.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Buckets: Short-form Wave network brand for quick-hitting sports storytelling.
• Jukes
• FTBL
• Haymakers

Products and services

• Big Bro Digital video series hosted by Kid Cudi inviting favorite people in culture and entertainment for honest, late-night-style conversations; new episodes drop every Wednesday. Targeted at digital-first Gen Z sports, entertainment, and culture audiences consuming on YouTube and podcast platforms.
• Whiskey Ginger Comedian Andrew Santino interviews friends in and out of the entertainment industry as they reflect on deviant stories of their past while sipping whiskey. Targeted at digital-first comedy and entertainment fans.
• Open Thoughts Funny Marco sits down with some of the biggest names in the game for unscripted, unpredictable conversations. Targeted at digital-first hip-hop, sports, and culture fans.
• So True Weekly podcast from comedian Caleb Hearon, working through what is 'really real' in a conversational format. Targeted at digital-first comedy audiences.
• Wingmen Hockey podcast hosted by NHL brothers Matthew and Brady Tkachuk, with weekly episodes on life on and off the ice, untold stories, unfiltered opinions, and guest interviews with the biggest stars in hockey and beyond. Targeted at digital-first hockey and broader sports fans.
• Almost Athletes Sports podcast from Dude Perfect featuring sports takes, debates, athlete and entertainer interviews, and behind-the-scenes Dude Perfect content. Targeted at digital-first sports and entertainment fans.
• House of Maher Series with Ilona Maher and her sisters Olivia and Adrianna covering topics ranging from body confidence and going viral to Nancy Meyers movies. Targeted at digital-first women's sports, lifestyle, and pop culture audiences.
• Straight to Cam Video podcast with WNBA star Cameron Brink and creator Sydel Curry-Lee covering pop culture, dating, social media trends, and life in the WNBA. Targeted at digital-first WNBA, women's sports, and pop culture fans.
• Not Gonna Lie Kylie Kelce's podcast offering her own take on life, leveraging her connection to the Kelce family football dynasty on her own terms. Targeted at digital-first NFL, football culture, and lifestyle audiences.
• Podcast P NBA superstar Paul George's show with co-hosts Jackie Long and Dallas Rutherford, providing an Entourage-style look at the life of an NBA star during the basketball season. Targeted at digital-first NBA and basketball culture fans.
• 7PM in Brooklyn Carmelo Anthony and top names in sports and culture discuss basketball stories, moments from Melo's NBA career, and entertainment headlines alongside special guests. Targeted at digital-first NBA, basketball culture, and hip-hop audiences.
• Closed on Sundays NFL-focused show with Terrion Arnold and Pat Surtain diving into secondary play from an insider's perspective, with weekly stories and current-teammate insights. Targeted at digital-first NFL and football culture fans.
• The Right Time Bomani Jones weighs in on sports, pop culture, and social topics with listener comments on Mondays, friends of the show on Wednesdays, and Domonique Foxworth on Fridays. Targeted at digital-first sports, culture, and commentary audiences.
• Ryan Fitzpatrick & Andrew Whitworth NFL Podcast NFL-focused podcast featuring former quarterbacks/offensive linemen Ryan Fitzpatrick and Andrew Whitworth, providing insider NFL analysis, stories, and commentary. Targeted at digital-first NFL and football audiences.
• Wave Media Agency (WMA) New-age sports media production, distribution, and sponsorship agency serving sports leagues and IP holders, A-list talent, and consumer brands. Delivers on-site event coverage, hosted education explainers, player access/media days, match recaps and highlights, and long-form docuseries to reach Gen Z audiences and monetize rights across YouTube, podcasts, and short-form social. Trusted by WNBA, Concacaf, Liverpool FC, Italian Serie A, Juventus, Inter Miami, Tennis Channel, Next Gen Hoops, Clippers Vision, and Combate Global.
• Wave Advertising Advertising offering providing brand advertisers access to Wave's digital-first Gen Z sports and entertainment fan audience through Sponsorship, Branded Content, and Media buying packages across Wave's YouTube, podcast, and social channels. Delivers 1B+ monthly views and a 75%-under-35 audience, with a 75% video / 25% audio content mix.
• Shop Wave Sports Official direct-to-consumer e-commerce storefront selling show-tied merchandise collections for Wave Originals, including NGL (Not Gonna Lie), Podcast P, 7PM in Brooklyn, and The Right Time branded goods. Targeted at digital-first fans of Wave's shows.

Quantifiable outcome

• 1B+ content views per month
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers26 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration4 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

26 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship and core.

• WNBAflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerListed as a 'Trusted by' Wave Media Agency client. Wave produces digital-first content for the league as part of its portfolio of top global sports properties.
• ConcacafflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerFeatured in multiple Media Agency case studies: on-site coverage of the Concacaf Gold Cup and the 'Concacaf Doce x La Familia of Inter Miami' docuseries blending interviews and original storytelling.
• Italian Serie A (Serie A North America)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHosted short-form education and entertainment series for Serie A North America targeting younger digital audiences.
• Liverpool FCflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerListed among the top sports properties Wave Media Agency works with to innovate content, drive social growth, and reach new audiences.
• JuventuscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPlayer Access/Media Days case study — Wave leveraged player and creator access to produce impactful edits that further the club's brand on digital platforms.
• Inter Miami (La Familia of Inter Miami)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFeatured in the 'Concacaf Doce x La Familia of Inter Miami' docuseries, integrating sponsor messaging with fan culture storytelling via sitdown interviews and original storytelling.
• Tennis ChannelcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMatch Recaps & Highlights case study — Wave produces vertical short-form edits of gameplay designed to drive viewership and appeal to younger audiences.
• Next Gen HoopscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerListed as a 'Trusted by' Wave Media Agency client.
• LA Clippers (Clippers Vision)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerListed as a 'Trusted by' Wave Media Agency client.
• Combate GlobalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerListed as a 'Trusted by' Wave Media Agency client.
• GooglecoreGTM or Marketing PartnerBrand advertiser featured in 'Brands we work with' on the Wave homepage, accessing Wave's digital-first Gen Z audience.
• NFL Sunday TicketcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerBrand advertiser featured in 'Brands we work with' on the Wave homepage.
• 2KcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerBrand advertiser featured in 'Brands we work with' on the Wave homepage.
• American ExpresscoreGTM or Marketing PartnerBrand advertiser featured in 'Brands we work with' on the Wave homepage.
• AG1coreGTM or Marketing PartnerBrand advertiser featured in 'Brands we work with' on the Wave homepage.
• AT&TcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerBrand advertiser featured in 'Brands we work with' on the Wave homepage.
• Coca-ColacoreGTM or Marketing PartnerBrand advertiser featured in 'Brands we work with' on the Wave homepage.
• State FarmcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerBrand advertiser featured in 'Brands we work with' on the Wave homepage.
• Buffalo Wild WingscoreGTM or Marketing PartnerBrand advertiser featured in 'Brands we work with' on the Wave homepage.
• AllstatecoreGTM or Marketing PartnerBrand advertiser featured in 'Brands we work with' on the Wave homepage.
• DraftKingscoreGTM or Marketing PartnerBrand advertiser featured in 'Brands we work with' on the Wave homepage.
• PrizePickscoreGTM or Marketing PartnerBrand advertiser featured in 'Brands we work with' on the Wave homepage.
• Liquid IVcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerBrand advertiser featured in 'Brands we work with' on the Wave homepage.
• Major League Baseball (MLB)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerBrand advertiser featured in 'Brands we work with' on the Wave homepage.
• Paramount PluscoreGTM or Marketing PartnerBrand advertiser featured in 'Brands we work with' on the Wave homepage.
• MTVcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerBrand advertiser featured in 'Brands we work with' on the Wave homepage.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Barstool Sports: Digital-first sports and entertainment media built on personality-driven shows, video, podcasts, and merchandise — a near-direct analog to Wave's talent-led originals and DTC merchandise business.
• Overtime: Gen Z sports media company producing short-form video, original series, and a sports league, monetized via ads, sponsorships, and e-commerce — overlaps directly with Wave's digital-first fan, video-first, and ad-supported model.
• Whistle Sports: Digital sports media network focused on social-native video, athlete storytelling, and brand integrations — comparable to Wave's short-form content network and sports-focused advertiser roster.
• Jomboy Media: Digital-first sports media company built on short-form video, social-native storytelling, and creator-led coverage of live sports — directly comparable to Wave's short-form verticals (Buckets, Jukes, FTBL, Haymakers) and audience model.
• The Players' Tribune: Athlete-first digital sports media platform producing first-person storytelling, video, and podcasts — shares Wave's talent-anchored content model and sponsorship-driven monetization.
• Boardroom: Athlete-led digital sports media brand covering sports business, culture, and lifestyle across video, podcast, and social — closely mirrors Wave's talent-anchored show model and brand-sponsorship monetization.

Broad incumbents

• iHeartMedia: Large audio/podcast media company with significant sports podcast distribution and advertiser relationships — a broader incumbent that competes for the same podcast listeners and brand-sponsorship budgets Wave targets.
• Minute Media: Global digital sports media platform owning The Big Lead, FanSided, and Mental Floss; produces content for leagues and brands at scale — operates as a broader incumbent in the same digital sports media space.
• Bleacher Report: Large digital sports media publisher covering news, highlights, and original video across multiple sports — a broader incumbent operating at greater scale in the same Gen Z digital sports audience.
• The Athletic: Subscription-based sports media publisher with deep written coverage and growing video/podcast — overlaps with Wave on podcast/video sports content and audience, but is text-first and broader in scope.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks2 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/wavetv
• Instagraminstagram.com/wavesportsent

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

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 Wave Sports & Entertainment