NFLPA Pitch Day
The Convergence of Athletes & Innovation
For a decade, NFLPA Pitch Day has been a hub for innovation, connecting athletes, entrepreneurs, investors and business leaders to exchange ideas and explore unique sports-focused partnership opportunities.
Through expert-led discussions and the flagship startup competition, industry leaders and athletes explore game-changing topics and opportunities at the intersection of sports and innovation.
2026 Pitch Competition
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Epicore Biosystems delivers real‑time, science‑backed hydration and performance insights through advanced sweat‑sensing wearables and cloud analytics.
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Diddo brings audiences closer to what they’re watching by turning video content into shoppable experiences.
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Somnee helps people fall asleep faster, stay asleep longer, and wake up feeling better using AI-powered sleep technology.
Previous Pitch Competition Winners
2025
VRTL, the leading platform for virtual fan experiences, was named the winner of the 2025 competition
2024
DrinKicks, the pioneering startup renowned for its distinctive sneaker products, clinched the top spot in 2024
2023
Personalized telenutrition platform Culina Health earned first place at 2023's record-breaking event
Event Format
Empowering Start-Ups to Succeed
The centerpiece of NFLPA Pitch Day is the startup competition, where three tech-driven companies pitch to an elite panel of NFL Players, investors, and industry leaders.
Entrepreneurs compete for event access, mentorship, and collaboration to drive innovation in data tracking, technology, and performance-focused consumer products, with the winner receiving exclusive NFLPA event access, and business resources, including expert coaching in small business financial management and consultations on athlete marketing, fundraising, and strategic partnerships with NFLPA advisors, staff, board members, and venture capital partners.
Expert-Led Discussions
Complementing the competition are thought-provoking panels where industry leaders and athletes share key insights and perspectives on emerging trends in the world of sports.
Last year's lineup featured a star-studded roster of player entrepreneurs, business leaders, and investment experts examining a variety of hard-hitting topics. From the future of investment in women's sports to the role of private equity in pro sports ownership, attendees were able to hear from some of the brightest minds in sports and entrepreneurship.
2026 Emcee, Judges, & Panelists
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Nate Burleson
4x Emmy-Award Winner and 11-Year NFL Veteran
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Mary Meeker
General Partner, BOND Capital
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Richard Sherman
Super Bowl Champion, 3x All-Pro Defensive Back
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Natalie Dillon
Partner, Maveron
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Beth Ferreira
General Partner, Serena Ventures
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Cam Jordan
3X All-Pro, 8X Pro Bowl Defensive End, Humanitarian and Media Personality
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Logan Ryan
CBS Analyst & 2x Super Bowl Champion
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Matt Curtin
President, NFL Players Inc.
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Dr. Kristen Holmes
Global Head of Human Performance, Principal Scientist at WHOOP
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Kenneth Shropshire
Professor Emeritus at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania
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Marshall Faulk
Hall of Famer, Head Coach, Southern University
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Bryce Young
Quarterback, Carolina Panthers
Past Speakers, Judges, & Panelists
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Malcolm Jenkins
2X Super Bowl Champion; CEO, Malcolm Inc.
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Earvin "Magic" Johnson
12-Time NBA All Star; Hall of Famer; CEO, Magic Johnson Enterprises
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Steve Smith Sr.
All-Pro Receiver; Founder, The Steve Smith Foundation
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Kelsey Plum
2022 MVP & 4X WNBA All-Star
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Mark Patricof
Founder & CEO, Patricof & Co.
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Tony Boselli
Hall of Famer; President & Chief Growth Officer, All.Health
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Ali Krieger
2X FIFA Women's World Cup Champion, NWSL Champion, ESPN Analyst
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Marshawn Lynch
SB Champion & Pro Sports Team Minority Owner
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Marques Colston
Former NFL Player; Co-Founder & Partner, Champion Venture Partners
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Michael Rees
Co-President, Founder & Head of GP Strategic Capital, Blue Owl Capital
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Ryan Nece
Former NFL Player; Managing Partner Next Legacy Partners
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Vernon Davis
SB Champion & Entrepreneur