NEW YORK, NY, Jan. 10, 2020 – The National Basketball Players Association [“NBPA”], in conjunction with private equity firm Patricof Co., is pleased to announce the creation of the first NBPA Players Accelerator Program.

The NBPA Players Accelerator Program will serve as a platform for current and former NBPA members to jump-start their individual business ventures and startup ideas. Through participation, select player-led companies will gain mentorship from industry-leading subject matter experts, exposure to like-minded entrepreneurs, and access to the creative expertise and resources of the NBPA, Patricof Co. and various program sponsors. The Players Accelerator includes a 3-day Training Camp in June 2020 that culminates in “Investor Day,” a final pitch to a panel of professional investors.

Rules for Participation: Companies selected for the program must meet the following criteria:

• Active involvement by a current or former NBPA member
• Former members must fall under a 5-year inactive window for consideration
• Company must have Series A or below funding status
• Submission of program application by February 21, 2020

Mentor Participation:  Each accepted applicant will be teamed up with a partner executive from their chosen industry who will guide and mentor them in advance of the Training Camp.

Training Camp: The Camp will include a speaker series with influential founders, evening events with industry leaders and breakout sessions geared towards the development of each startup’s business plan. Teams will create a presentation to be used during “Investor Day”, an end-of-camp pitch to a panel of professional investors for feedback and funding consideration.

“We look forward to partnering with Patricof Co. in launching this program and are excited to provide this opportunity,” said NBPA Executive Director Michele Roberts.  “Our members are more than basketball players – they are investors, businessmen, entrepreneurs and stewards of their personal brands.  This Program will provide additional resources to grow their businesses in a creative and competitive environment.”

“We are extremely confident that the NBA is talent rich in more ways than basketball and expect many great business ideas to come out of this endeavor,” added Mark Patricof, the founder of Patricof, which also is an investor in TopGolf and online luxury consignment business The RealReal.

About the NBPA

The National Basketball Players Association is the union for current professional basketball players in the National Basketball Association (NBA). Established in 1954, the NBPA’s mission is to protect and support the rights and talents of our players, magnify the power of their collective will, and amplify their voices as leaders who will transcend sport and society globally.

The NBPA advocates on behalf of the best interests of all NBA players, including the negotiation of collective bargaining agreements, the filing of grievances on behalf of the players, or counseling players on benefits, educational and post-NBA career opportunities. Business opportunities are generated by the NBPI, the subsidiary of the NBPA charged with managing the players’ group licensing rights.

Dedicated to preserving the legacy of its members, the NBPA Foundation provides support and assistance to persons, communities and organizations around the world that seek to improve the lives of those in need.

About Patricof Co. LLC Investors
Patricof Co is a highly specialized private investment platform designed to meet the unique business needs and opportunities of professional athletes. We optimize athletes’ direct private investment strategy through a combination of personalized services and a proprietary co-investment process.
Patricof Co’s core investment focus is on late stage consumer growth and private equity transactions and non-control positions in legacy real estate properties, with each transaction being led by a top-tier financial sponsor.