Merging Vets and Players

What Merging Vets and Players does

Merging Vets and Players (MVP) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization founded in 2015 by Fox Sports NFL Insider Jay Glazer and former Green Beret and NFL player Nate Boyer. Headquartered in Las Vegas, Nevada, MVP operates a peer support program that pairs combat veterans with former professional athletes (predominantly NFL players, UFC fighters, and other retired pros) in weekly sessions structured as one hour of team-based fitness followed by a facilitated peer discussion circle called 'The Huddle.' The organization serves members who share parallel experiences of identity loss, isolation, and difficulty transitioning out of high-intensity structured careers; membership is free for eligible combat veterans and former professional athletes, removing cost as a barrier to access.

MVP delivers its program through 8+ in-person chapters hosted at local privately-owned fitness facilities (including Unbreakable Performance Center in Los Angeles and Xtreme Couture MMA in Las Vegas) plus a Virtual Chapter for remote participants. Supporting offerings include MVP Thrive (a content platform with podcasts, videos, and articles), an MVP Store selling branded merchandise, and the annual MVP Gala fundraiser. The organization does not employ proprietary technology — its core platform is the in-person and virtual session model — and operates with a small core staff (1-10 per firmographics) supported by volunteers, chapter leaders, and partner facilities.

MVP's revenue model rests on three streams: tax-deductible donations from individuals and foundations (including a Bob Woodruff Foundation grant in 2024), corporate sponsorships and in-kind support (with Boeing as the flagship partner via the MVP4Life initiative, plus Nike, American Airlines, Walmart, and Fox Sports), and merchandise sales via storemvp.org. High-profile corporate and franchise partnerships (Dallas Cowboys, Seattle Seahawks, Arizona Cardinals, LA Rams, Austin FC) provide visibility, credibility, and access to facilities and athletes. Per the organization's impact page, MVP has served 10,000+ combat veterans and 2,000+ former professional athletes, with 20,000+ total lives impacted.

Name

Merging Vets and Players

Legal name

Merging Vets and Players

Website

https://vetsandplayers.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2015

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Merging Vets and Players is a 501(c)(3) non-profit founded in 2015 that runs free weekly peer support sessions pairing combat veterans with former professional athletes, combining team-based fitness workouts with facilitated 'Huddle' discussion circles across 8+ US chapters plus a virtual chapter.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Los Angeles

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Contributions: As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, MVP relies primarily on tax-deductible donations from individuals, corporations, and foundations. The organization's Tax ID is 81-2878851.
2. Merchandise Sales: MVP operates an e-commerce store selling branded merchandise including t-shirts and other apparel to supporters. Orders are processed within 3-7 business days with shipping to US addresses only.
3. Corporate Partnerships: MVP receives support from corporate sponsors including Boeing (MVP4Life partnership), as well as in-kind support from organizations like American Airlines, Fox Sports, Nike, and Walmart who are featured in their logo section.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

MVP operates a free, weekly peer support program that combines team-based fitness workouts with facilitated 'Huddle' discussion circles, delivered in-person across eight U.S. chapters (Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Chicago, Atlanta, Phoenix, Dallas, New York, Austin) and via a virtual chapter. Members are combat veterans (those who served on active duty in a theater of combat operations) and former professional athletes (NFL, UFC, and other sports) who share experiences of identity loss and transition after their structured careers end. The program is supported by an MVP Thrive content platform (podcasts, videos, articles), an MVP-branded merchandise store, and an annual MVP Gala fundraising event.

Product overview

Merging Vets and Players (MVP) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit peer support organization offering a single integrated program combining physical fitness sessions with facilitated peer support discussions. The core MVP Peer Support Program operates through in-person chapters at local fitness facilities and a Virtual Chapter for remote participants. Supporting offerings include MVP Thrive (content platform with podcasts, videos, and articles), an MVP Store (merchandise), and an annual MVP Gala. Membership is free for eligible combat veterans and former professional athletes.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• MVP Peer Support Program Weekly two-hour peer support session combining a team-based fitness workout with a facilitated 'Huddle' discussion circle, delivered free of charge to eligible combat veterans and former professional athletes at in-person chapter locations.
• MVP Virtual Chapter Online chapter enabling eligible veterans and athletes in remote areas to participate in MVP's workout-plus-huddle session format via video conferencing.
• MVP Store (Merchandise) Online storefront selling MVP-branded apparel and accessories (including t-shirts and supporter merchandise) to raise funds and awareness; ships to U.S. addresses with standard and expedited options.

Quantifiable outcome

• 10,000+ combat veterans served
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.

• Austin FCflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 6 May 2024Austin FC hosted a Mental Health Awareness Month workout for MVP at Parmer Field at St. David's Performance Center. The partnership demonstrates Austin FC's commitment to community impact and veteran support.
• Seattle SeahawksflagshipGTM or Marketing Partner · 8 December 2022Seahawks organization (including GM John Schneider and team legends) participated in a holiday huddle and workout with MVP members at Rebel Fitness. Marines from Toys for Tots were also in attendance.
• Veteran Tickets FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 2 June 2022Veteran Tickets Foundation partnered with MVP to serve the military and veteran community, providing tickets and experiences that support veteran wellness and connection.
• BoeingcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBoeing partners with MVP on the MVP4Life initiative, supporting veteran transition and wellness programs. Boeing's Veterans Engagement Team (BVET) has collaborated with MVP at events including Seattle Mariners games.
• Dallas CowboysflagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerDallas Cowboys coaches Mike McCarthy and Dan Quinn have participated in MVP sessions and events, demonstrating organizational support for the veteran community.
• Arizona CardinalsflagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerArizona Cardinals hosted an MVP kickoff event featuring owner Michael Bidwill, NFL lineman Justin Pugh, and linebacker Dennis Gardeck. Jay Glazer led the mental health discussion.
• Los Angeles RamsflagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerJay Glazer's MVP brought Rams and head coach Sean McVay together to help military veterans through community events and workouts.
• Hall of Fame Behavioral HealthcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHall of Fame Behavioral Health partnered with MVP to improve mental health and wellness services for former NFL players and their families, combining clinical expertise with MVP's peer support model.
• LEGO Masters (Fox)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerFox's LEGO Masters, hosted by Will Arnett, announced a partnership with MVP to bring LEGO building sets to veterans suffering with PTSD as a therapeutic activity.
• Team RubiconminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMVP reached out to collaborate with Team Rubicon on community service activities, leveraging the organization's mission to serve others during crisis situations.
• Randy Couture / Xtreme Couture MMAcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFormer UFC champion and Army Airborne veteran Randy Couture serves on the MVP board and hosts the Las Vegas chapter at his Xtreme Couture MMA gym, providing training facilities and credibility.
• American AirlinesminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAmerican Airlines is featured among corporate supporters in MVP's logo section, indicating a sponsorship or partnership relationship.
• NikeminorGTM or Marketing PartnerNike is featured among corporate supporters in MVP's logo section, indicating a sponsorship or partnership relationship.
• WalmartminorGTM or Marketing PartnerWalmart is featured among corporate supporters in MVP's logo section, indicating a sponsorship or partnership relationship.
• Fox SportscoreGTM or Marketing PartnerFox Sports supports MVP through co-founder Jay Glazer's involvement and coverage. Fox Sports has also hosted events like Fight Night at Naval Station Norfolk in honor of Veterans Day.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Team Rubicon: Veteran-led humanitarian organization that mobilizes former military into disaster response teams. Comparable to MVP in building community around shared veteran identity and purpose, though Team Rubicon channels that identity into service missions while MVP channels it into peer support.
• The Mission Continues: Veteran service organization focused on post-service transition through community-impact fellowships and volunteer leadership. Comparable to MVP in serving combat veterans during civilian transition via a peer-community model.
• Headstrong Project: Nonprofit providing free, confidential mental-health treatment to combat veterans. Comparable to MVP in addressing the mental-health consequences of combat service through specialized programs for the same population.
• Pat Tillman Foundation: Scholarship and leadership development program for veterans and military spouses, founded in memory of the NFL player/ Army Ranger. Comparable to MVP in addressing military-to-civilian transition, particularly for high-performance athlete-veterans.
• Catch A Lift (CAL): Nonprofit that uses fitness and community to support combat-wounded veterans' physical and mental recovery. Among the closest direct peers to MVP — combines structured workouts with peer community for combat veterans.
• Gridiron Greats Assistance Fund: Nonprofit providing financial assistance and support services to former NFL players in need. Comparable to MVP on the athlete side of its dual-population model, addressing transition challenges for retired professional football players.

Broad incumbents

• Wounded Warrior Project: Largest US veteran service nonprofit providing physical and mental wellness, career transition, and long-term support. Comparable to MVP in serving combat veterans with holistic wellness programming, but operates at materially greater scale and scope.
• Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA): Largest post-9/11 veteran membership organization with advocacy, community, and member-support programs. Comparable to MVP in serving combat veterans through community-based programming and policy engagement.

Emerging players

• Stop Soldier Suicide: Veteran mental-health nonprofit focused on suicide prevention and clinical case management. Comparable to MVP in addressing mental-health challenges of combat veterans, but with a clinical rather than peer-support modality.

Others

• NFL Alumni Association: National organization for former NFL players providing community, events, and member benefits. Comparable to MVP on the former-athlete segment of its dual-population model, though broader in scope and not focused on peer-support programming.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/VetsandPlayers
• Facebookfacebook.com/MVPMergingVetsandPlayers

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

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 Merging Vets and Players