ABOUT TPI

OUR HISTORY

The Players Impact was founded in 2017 with a mission of democratizing investing and entrepreneurship education and access to business opportunities for professional athletes.

99% of professional athletes lack the guidance and community they need to make the most of their social and financial capital. Recognizing the unique challenges these athletes face when playing and transitioning out of sports, Tracy Deforge, former collegiate athlete and Jason Lavender, entrepreneur, sought to create a platform where they could be part of a robust network of like-minded peers, share financial and business knowledge, and access vetted investment opportunities.

Today, The Players Impact has organically grown to become a thriving community, offering resources, networking, and mentorship to help athletes succeed in business beyond their playing careers. We continue to grow our reach and capabilities, empowering athletes to leverage their skills, connections, and experiences to build successful ventures and make a lasting impact beyond sport.

OUR TEAM

An attorney by training, an entrepreneur in spirit, and an executive leader through experience. Tracy’s career has focused for more than two decades in the sports industry on start-up companies, technology offerings, and pioneering business initiatives.

Tracy Deforge

Chief Executive Officer & Co-Founder

George joins TPI with a wealth of experience investing across asset classes, and building businesses. His entrepreneurial nature and connectivity throughout the venture ecosystem gives him access to a best in class deal flow. George has raised tens of millions of dollars for venture backed companies, and has made numerous investments into early stage businesses that have produced meaningful returns for him and his LP’s. He has spent time investing on behalf of multiple family offices, and started his career at Morgan Stanley. He also has a masters from Columbia University.

George Ricciardelli

Investment Director