GamePlanU
Sports Innovation & Entrepreneurship
Framework 2 · Startup Evaluation
Proprietary · IP Center · Licensed
Sports Startup
Evaluation
Framework
A weighted scoring model for evaluating early-stage sports ventures — built from direct advisory and investment experience across collegiate, professional, grassroots, and media verticals.
6Dimensions
100%Weighted
1–5Rubric scale
4Decision bands
Venture information
0 of 6 dimensions scored
01
Market
Size, growth trajectory, sports-specific tailwinds, timing, and addressability
25%
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| Criterion | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Market size | Under $50M TAM or speculative | $50M–$250M, fragmented | $250M–$1B, growing | $1B+ TAM, clear driver | Multi-billion, category leader |
| Timing | No clear trigger | Trigger 3–5 yrs out | Trigger in 12–24 months | Tailwind active now | Category-defining wave |
| Sports specificity | Generic tech, no insider edge | Sports-adjacent only | Sports-native product | Only works in sports | Insider-only problem visibility |
02
Team
Domain credibility, skill complement, athlete advantage, coachability, network quality
25%
--
| Criterion | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Domain cred. | No sports background | Adjacent industry only | Program / team experience | Former athlete or operator | Elite insider; unreplicable access |
| Skill complement | Single founder; major gaps | Two founders; one gap remains | Core team covers basics | Strong team + advisors | All functions covered by proven operators |
| Coachability | Defensive to feedback | Slow to incorporate input | Open and responsive | Treats advisors as sparring partners | Exceptional self-awareness; attracts talent |
03
Moat
IP, proprietary data, exclusive relationships, network effects, switching costs
20%
--
| Criterion | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Defensibility | First-mover only; easily replicated | Some brand / relationship advantage | Proprietary process or exclusive partner | Patent, licensed data, or contractual exclusivity | Network effect, data flywheel, or league-level exclusive |
| Switching cost | Zero friction to leave | Minor inconvenience | Data migration or retraining required | Embedded in workflows or contracts | Switching would destroy customer value |
04
Traction
Revenue, LOIs, pilot partners, user growth, and market validation evidence
15%
--
| Criterion | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Revenue | Pre-revenue; concept only | Pilot / beta; under $10K | $10K–$100K ARR; early customers | $100K–$500K ARR; growing MoM | $500K+ ARR; NRR above 110% |
| Validation | Founder assertion only | Positive feedback; no commitments | Signed LOIs with recognizable partners | Multi-year contract with Tier 1 org | League or federation-level network deal |
05
Capital Efficiency
Burn rate, runway, unit economics, path to profitability
10%
--
| Criterion | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Burn & runway | Under 6 months runway | 6–12 months; no extension path | 12–18 months; burn declining | 18+ months; line to profitability | Default alive; revenue covers burn |
| Unit economics | LTV/CAC unknown or below 1:1 | LTV/CAC 1:1–2:1 | LTV/CAC 2:1–3:1; GM above 40% | LTV/CAC 3:1+; GM above 60% | LTV/CAC 5:1+; SaaS-grade margins |
06
Ecosystem Fit
Alignment with collegiate, pro, grassroots, or media verticals; network leverage
5%
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| Criterion | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vertical alignment | No fit with any sports vertical | Tangential; needs repositioning | Clear fit with one vertical | Strong fit with two+ verticals | Amplified by every vertical it touches |
| Network leverage | No sports network; starting from zero | Personal connections only | Warm intros to 2–3 key orgs | Active relationships with Tier 1 decision-makers | Network itself is a competitive asset |
