GrowthCurve Episode 10: LeagueSide

Evan Brandoff, co-founder of LeagueSide, strongly recommends that you find something you love doing. In other words, don’t chase your first startup idea, especially if it’s not something you’re extremely passionate about. The startup journey is long and arduous, so the concept you choose must satisfy your palette in concept, through launch and then five years later.

The “do something you love” mantra is one I’ve grappled with over the years. On one hand, doing what you love (minus a strong business model and proper financial compensation) is not a good option. In reality, it’s better to find the intersection of what you love doing, what you are good at, and what can be a strong and sustainable business model.

It seems that Evan and Zubin have found that intersection. They are both sports guys with strong business acumen, although they will admit that it’s a constant learning curve… reading something in a book and implementing it the next day as if they know what they’re doing. But that’s the life of a startup founder– knowing when to ask questions, admit you’re wrong, ask for help, all while having the confidence that you know where you (and the team) are headed. With the growth LeagueSide has seen, Evan and Zubin have gone from players on the field to coaches creating and managing a playbook from the sidelines.

LeagueSide.com

Evan and Zubin have inventory that includes thousands of leagues with sponsorship opportunities that will connect with millions of parents annually. For regional or national brands looking to reach busy parents on the go, the youth sports sponsorship can compete with just about any other form of advertising. While youth sports sponsorships have not reached a mature stage as a featured chunk of a major brand’s media mix, Evan and Zubin are out to prove it can and will be soon. There are already signs of success, with brands like Applebees, Smoothie King, Verizon and Uber buying into LeagueSide’s offering.

What you’ll learn from the Podcast interview with LeagueSide is that it hasn’t been a straight shot over the last year or so. After having great success with regional brands, they decided to chase after bigger contracts, lengthening their sales cycle to go after agency media buyers that manage the media budgets of huge national brands. As the cliche goes, LeagueSide failed quickly and focused back on what made them successful in the first place, prioritizing relationships with regional brands again. LeagueSide is back on track and are now focusing in on regional partners in specific industries that have proven to be their highest performing thus far.

“We realize that in order to be the best possible leaders for LeagueSide, we need to put trust in our team.”

LeagueSide isn’t rushing towards an exit. Both Evan and Zubin seem to be enjoying the ride and the challenges that come with it. Their team is growing quickly and with that comes the challenge of going from player to coach. It’s not easy to step aside and guide others into position, to coach them into executing the way you want them to… but Evan and Zubin are patient and confident, and LeagueSide will continue to thrive because of it.

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