Leo Zevin | Page 2

What started as a college class project turned into one of the fastest-rising sports media companies.

From driveway experiment to NBA training staple, Shoot360 is gamifying basketball and building community hubs across the globe.

Creators have earned nearly $400 million on Stan Store, an all-in-one platform for the "middle-class creator," and with GaryVee's support and a new $300 challenge, the startup aims to help millions turn their passions into profits.

Once overlooked himself, Stephen Curry is now building a purpose-driven brand to give underrated athletes the opportunity they deserve.

Dave Portnoy's One Bite Pizza Fest turned his viral YouTube pizza reviews into a 10,000-person event with 40 pizzerias and major sponsors, showing how live experiences can turn digital influence into community.

Lavazza is a good example of sports marketing because it serves authenticity and creativity to keep its brand in the game.

How does cake-throwing DJ Steve Aoki stay energized? By teaming up with this gum company and weaving in his own brand.

Jay-Z's Roc Nation has teamed up with Caesars and SL Green on a bid to bring New York City its first casino, pledging $250 million in community investments for Times Square.

When Harry Arnett, Stephen Levinson and Mark Wahlberg looked at the overlap between fitness and fashion, they spotted an opportunity and built their company from the ground up.

The Green brothers are rewriting the rules of business — proving a company can thrive while giving away 100% of its profits.

A casual kitchen observation sparked Dylan Wolff's idea to tackle water waste in restaurants. His startup, CNSRV, saves water, cuts costs and improves food quality with a portable defrosting machine.

DJ Khaled has partnered with Rewind It 10, a beard dye brand launched by Carolyn and Jeff Aronson and Fat Joe, turning personal grooming into a message of confidence and business growth.

The Hoopbus started as a grassroots passion project in Los Angeles and has grown into a global nonprofit using basketball to drive cultural connection and social impact. For entrepreneurs, it's a powerful case study in how purpose, mobility and community can scale into a movement.

Madison Reed is reshaping the NIL landscape by offering female athletes like Azzi Fudd and Paige Bueckers equity, mentorship and real business opportunities — not just endorsements.

Legendary Bay Area rapper E-40 turned grassroots hustle into a multi-million-dollar music and business empire. From selling tapes out of his car trunk to launching wines, spirits and a bestselling cookbook, he's always cooking something up on and off the mic.

Entrepreneur Susan Michals transformed the negative "cat lady" stereotype into a thriving pop culture phenomenon with CatCon, the world's largest cat-focused event.

Amanda Calabrese and Greta Meyer turned a college project into Sequel, the first spiral tampon, now backed by a WNBA partnership with the Indiana Fever.

Yankees shortstop Anthony Volpe turned his personal recovery routine into a business venture by investing in and partnering with organic sports drink brand Recover 180. Volpe is taking a thoughtful approach to brand building as he begins expanding his impact beyond the baseball field.

Backed by lead investor and 3-time Super Bowl champion Patrick Mahomes, Throne SPORT COFFEE is disrupting the $5B ready-to-drink coffee market.

One Court Africa hosted NBA players at UM6P in Marrakech for a four-day program focused on social entrepreneurship and sustainable business, which included mentoring six African startups and awarding $160K in grants through its Innovation Challenge.

NBA legend Carmelo Anthony is launching StayMe7o to bring equity and elevate Black entrepreneurs, partnering with Grand National Founder Jesce Horton to focus on legacy over profit.

The D'Amelios' latest venture, Be Happy Snacks, blends purpose with popcorn, bringing mental health awareness and Gen Z flavor to Walmart's shelves.

Fanatics Fest is redefining live sports events by blending culture, entertainment and fan experiences into an immersive festival unlike anything the sports world has seen.

NYC sports legends Stephon Marbury and José Reyes bring their signature swagger and hands-on creative input to elevate Chamelo's brand and expand its reach.

The Next Chapter is a premier 1v1 league turning streetball culture into a marketable, competitive sport. With unique players and pay-per-view events, the league aims to become a billion-dollar basketball business.

After overcoming a traumatic childhood and early career uncertainty, Angie Nwandu built The Shade Room into one of Instagram's most influential media platforms by listening to her audience, betting on herself and never backing down from the hustle.

Despite billions spent on sports medicine, ankle injuries remain stubbornly common. With roots in the NBA Launchpad, Betterguards is redefining injury prevention under CEO Tony Verutti by putting science — and athletes — first.

The Hall of Famer and businesswoman teamed up with Intuit QuickBooks and Mailchimp to celebrate Small Business Hero Day, which highlights entrepreneurs like her who are building lasting legacies through purpose and community impact.

GLORY is betting on creators to grow kickboxing in the U.S., launching an exclusive-to-attend, free-to-stream fight series tailored for digital-first audiences.

By combining analytics and entrepreneurial strategy, Two Circles is changing the future of sports and fan engagement.