VRTL WINS 2025 NFLPA PITCH DAY, TRANSFORMING FAN ENGAGEMENT

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NEW ORLEANS - At the ninth annual NFLPA Pitch Day, VRTL, the leading platform for virtual fan experiences, was named the winner of the 2025 competition. The event showcased three innovative companies vying for exclusive mentorship, business resources, and collaboration opportunities with NFLPA advisors, investors, and industry leaders.

"VRTL delivered an impressive pitch, showcasing a game-changing innovation in fan engagement. Throughout the day, we had dynamic conversations with leaders across sports, business, and investment about the future of this industry. It's always inspiring to see bold ideas come to life, and we're excited to see what's next for VRTL and all the incredible companies that took the stage," said Matt Curtin, President, NFL Players Inc.

As the winning pitch, VRTL received Super Bowl LIX tickets, exclusive NFLPA event access, and an opportunity to connect with some of the biggest names in sports, business, and investment. From athlete marketing to fundraising and strategic partnerships, they'll get expert coaching from NFLPA advisors, board members, and top venture capital minds to help take their business to the next level.

NFLPA Pitch Day featured a distinguished panel of judges, including Marques Colston (former NFL Player, Co-Founder & Partner, Champion Venture Partners), Jenny Abramson (Founder & Managing Partner, Rethink Impact), and Tony Boselli (Hall of Fame lineman, President & Chief Growth Officer, all.health). Former NFL linebacker and entrepreneur Dhani Jones served as the event's emcee.

Founded and led by CEO Courtney Jeffries, VRTL is redefining how brands, teams, and sports organizations engage global audiences. The platform extends in-person fan experiences into premium virtual environments, allowing entertainment companies, sports teams, and artists to unlock new revenue streams and scale their reach. VRTL's enterprise solution offers high-quality, white-labeled virtual venues with interactive features such as Q&A sessions, live autograph signings, second-screen viewing parties, e-commerce, and brand integrations. 

Other finalists included Cloaked, which protects personal data through identity management tools, and Tone, which revolutionizes sleep and brain health with EEG-powered earbuds. 

Adding to the excitement, Shannon Sharpe made a surprise appearance, sharing insights into the rapid growth of his media company, Shay Shay Media. The Hall of Fame tight end and media mogul discussed building an independent platform, creating content that resonates with audiences, and leveraging digital media to engage fans beyond the game. 

Beyond the competition, Pitch Day featured thought-provoking panels on key industry topics:

  • The New Playbook: Private Equity's Role in Redefining Ownership - Featuring Michael Rees (Co-President, Founder & Head of GP Strategic Capital, Blue Owl Capital) and Lloyd Howell (NFLPA Executive Director), moderated by Matt Curtin (President, NFL Players Inc.)
  • The Next Play: Building Wealth and Purpose Beyond the NFL - Featuring Steve Smith Sr. (NFL legend & broadcaster), Tony Boselli (Hall of Fame lineman & President & Chief Growth Officer, all.health), Sheldon Day (Washington Commanders defensive lineman & Co-founder of The Players Company), and Mark Patricof (Founder, Patricof & Co.), moderated by Dhani Jones.
  • Scoring Big: Why Women's Sports Are the Future of Investments - Featuring U.S. women's soccer legend Ali Krieger, Stephanie Martin (Chief Marketing & Communications Officer, League One Volleyball), and moderated by Danielle Kushner Smith (Vice President, The Collective®). 

For nearly a decade, NFLPA Pitch Day has been a launchpad for groundbreaking companies, with past winners like WHOOP, Healium, and Round21 reshaping their industries. Now part of an elite roster of past winners, VRTL is set to redefine the future of virtual fan engagement.