Press Releases – Transition Sports & Entertainment

June 28, 2022 — Comments are off for this post.

Tigerlyfe Energy Signs on as Official Drink Sponsor of BYB

BYB Extreme Bare Knuckle Fighting Series Announces New Partnership with Tigerlyfe Energy Drink Ahead of August 27th’s BYB 11 Brawl in Doral, Florida

Deal part of larger distribution partnership with BYB Executive Leadership team to widen Tigerlyfe’s national footprint

MIAMI, FL – BYB Extreme Bare Knuckle Fighting Series announced today that Tigerlyfe Energy Drink will serve as the organization’s official healthy energy drink partner for August 27’s BYB 11 in Doral, Florida.

Tigerlyfe, which positions itself as a healthier alternative than other energy drinks on the market, features a specialized blend of electrolytes, B-complex vitamins and no artificial coloring. The company already boasts a roster of combat sports athletes, including BYB 11 fighter and former MMA heavyweight Josh Burns, and is looking to both expand its roster with BYB fighters as well as leverage the growing popularity of bare knuckle boxing to tap into a passionate, engaged fanbase throughout North America and beyond.

In addition to integrated marketing programs and broadcast-specific activations during live BYB events, the Tigerlyfe team and BYB president Mike Vazquez are working to develop a nationwide network and distribution strategy for the New York-based company. This includes putting Tigerlyfe products in chains across America, such as Circle K and Murphy USA which already carry products through Vazquez’s distribution company, B2B USA.

Said Tigerlyfe principal Frank A. LoPiccolo:

“At its core, Tigerlyfe Energy is not your typical energy drink. Like combat sports, it’s a lifestyle. Whether you’re a CEO, fitness professional, working on Wall Street, or a bare knuckle fighter, perspective is everything. We like to say: ‘when you invest in your image, you invest in your future.’ We are doing just that by partnering with a company like BYB and in a sport poised to be the next billion dollar industry. We intend to become synonymous with bare knuckle boxing as it takes the decade by storm.”

Said BYB President Mike Vazquez:

“I have spent my professional career building businesses from the ground up, and doing so the right way: strategically, with integrity, and by aligning with individuals whose vision and values align with ours. Frank and the Tigerlyfe team have already put an amazing product on the market, a product which - like BYB - always puts the health and wellbeing of the athlete first. I couldn’t be more excited to take things to the next level together.”

ABOUT TIGERLYFE

Tigerlyfe’s Mission is simple: to help those have focus, motivation, and the drive to succeed in today's demanding and ever-changing world; to help those who know they can and will go the distance in the ring, on the trail, or in the boardroom; and to help those who know their "Y" but need help with the how. For more information visit tigerlyfeenergy.com

ABOUT BYB 11

Tickets for August 27’s BYB 11: Doral Brawl are on sale now and can be purchased at BYBTickets.com. BYB 11 will be streamed Live on BYB Extreme Fighting Series YouTube Channel.

BYB Extreme Fighting Series was established to bring fight fans what they want most, ACTION! BYB Extreme Bare-Knuckle Brawl is designed to leave decisions to the combatants in the ring, not the judges. Close combat in BYB's 3-sided Triangle ring, affectionately known as “The Trigon,” just about guarantees that. No other ring or cage in the world has angles of less than 90 degrees. With 60-degree angles, "The Trigon' guarantees 180-degrees of mayhem. For more information visit bybextreme.com, Facebook @bybextremefightingseries, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube at @bybextreme.

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Published by Transition Sports in Press Releases

Tags: BYB, Sponsorships

June 7, 2022 — Comments are off for this post.

Statement by UFPA on USFL Player Vote to Unionize

The following statement was issued today by the UFPA executive board:

"On Monday, USFL players voted by a 2-to-1 margin to unionize through the United Football Players Association (UFPA) with the backing of the United Steelworkers (USW). The results of the election are expected to be certified by the National Relations Labor Board shortly.

First and foremost, the goal of the UFPA has always been (and will remain) to ensure that our members are provided transparency, education and accountability in their respective careers. As recent failed spring leagues have demonstrated, those things have often been neglected, and when those leagues folded (before even finishing their inaugural seasons), players were the ones who suffered. We look forward to working with the USFL, the teams and its stakeholders to help reverse that trend and create sustainability.

When we began this process two years ago, we sought to shed light on perennial issues players have faced in hopes of avoiding common pitfalls that have plagued our profession. Unfortunately, players’ voices were ignored more often than not. Without an invitation for a seat at the table, we decided to build our own. Now the work begins."

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For more information on the UFPA, visit unitedplayers.org.

Published by Transition Sports in Press Releases

Tags: Football, UFPA, USFL

June 7, 2022 — Comments are off for this post.

Undefeated Bronx Welterweight “Pistol” Pete Dobson Returns to the Ring Saturday, June 11th at Center Stage in Atlanta

Atlanta, GA - Former New York Golden Gloves Champion and undefeated professional super welterweight Peter “Pistol Pete” Dobson (15-0, 9 KOs) is scheduled to take on 10-3 Argentinian Rodrigo Damian Coria at June 11’s Summertime Brawl in Atlanta, GA.

The Bronx native spent the past few weeks training for the fight at Washington DC’s Headbangers Boxing Gym and had this to say about the upcoming matchup:

“I approach every fight with a chip on my shoulder. Everyone I’ve faced, I’ve taken care of…easily. Frankly, contenders want no part of me, so I’m going to keep knocking out whoever they put in front of me and force their hand. If they won’t give me my shot, I’ll just have to take it. Saturday in Atlanta will be business as usual, and then it’s an open invitation - I’ll take on anyone, anywhere. If no one steps up, I’ll just have to call them out.”

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Published by Transition Sports in Press Releases

Tags: Boxing, Peter Dobson

August 8, 2021 — Comments are off for this post.

From Near Tragedy to Olympic Gold, 2-Sport Star Kaleigh Gilchrist Overcomes Adversity and Offers Lesson in Dedication and Perseverance with Inspiring Journey

From Near Tragedy to Olympic Gold, 2-Sport Star Kaleigh Gilchrist Overcomes Adversity and Offers Lesson in Dedication and Perseverance with Inspiring Journey

Following well-publicized accident and Kobe Bryant-inspired “Mamba Mission” rehabilitation, Gilchrist wins second gold medal with Team USA Water Polo.

Newport Beach, CA – As the 2020 Olympic Games come to a close, so does a chapter in the life and career of Newport Beach, California’s Kaleigh Gilchrist. Gilchrist, who lead Team USA to gold in Rio in 2016, caps off an amazing personal comeback in Tokyo with her second Olympic gold medal in water polo. Gilchrist, like all Olympians, had to deal with the uncertainty of the global pandemic, but she also was in the midst of major rehab after a well-publicized injury following the 2019 world championships in South Korea – a balcony collapse that left 2 dead and 16 injured, including Gilchrist.

Gilchrist suffered leg laceration and underwent surgery in Gwangju before returning to Southern California where she began a rehab stint during which she struck a relationship with and found a mentor in the late Kobe Bryant. Team USA trainer Larnie Boquiren dubbed Gilchrist’s rehab efforts “Mamba Mission” in homage to her local hero.

Gilchrist, in addition to being a world-class and accomplished water polo player, Is a professional surfer, splitting her time on the World Surf League Qualifying Surf Series. Her father, Sandy Gilchrist, competed for Team Canada as a swimmer in the 1964 and 1968 Summer Olympics. Her uncle, Allen Gilchrist, swam for Canada in the 1948 and 1952 Games.

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Published by Transition Sports in Press Releases

Tags: Kaleigh Gilchrist, Olympics

July 27, 2021 — Comments are off for this post.

OVERSEAS FAMOUS: The Travels and Tribulations of a Basketball Globetrotter

Now Available for Pre-Order on Amazon.

From the outside, being a professional athlete seems glamorous and sexy. But, what if your name is not Michael, Kobe or Lebron?

What if the highest level of athleticism you achieve is as an almost-7-foot tall overseas professional basketball player? Overseas Famous chronicles the strangely humorous, challenging and inspiring story of former overseas professional basketball player Kevin Owens. Starting his basketball career as a senior in high school and not attending a nationally ranked collegiate program, Owens still found himself traveling across four continents, enduring the hustle of the game and the erratic lifestyle of an athlete.

Owens' journey is far from ordinary. His unbelievable stories ranging from NBA workouts guarded by one of the best and dirtiest defenders in NBA history to an unwilling participant in a lit flare toss helps the reader understand what it's actually like playing basketball overseas. Overseas Famous tackles many issues Americans deal with while playing basketball abroad, including language barriers, different styles of play, and the inevitable downfalls like missed paychecks and being ghosted by an organization after a substantial injury.

This story is an honest and entertaining tale about the travels and tribulations of playing pro basketball worldwide.

“Kevin Owens has lived a basketball life less ordinary. We often hear about professional players who are selected and celebrated early on, and who sail through the glitzy prep circuit and make it to the highest levels of the game. But as Owens' terrific book reminds us, some players have to grind and endure to make their dreams come true. And often their stories are the most entertaining.”

-Lang Whitaker currently works for the Memphis Grizzlies as the General Manager of Grizz Gaming, and as a contributor to Grind City Media. Additionally, Lang works as a contributor to GQ Magazine.

"American basketball fans 'know' about guys 'playing overseas' because it's such a common occurrence. Their favorite high school or college player can't quite stick in the NBA but isn't ready to hang up his kicks so he goes overseas. But what the hell happens over there? Given the complete dearth of coverage in American media about basketball in foreign countries, smart fans are hungry to learn what it's like. In Overseas Famous, long-time pro baller Kevin Owens teaches us, sharing the good, bad and the ugly of overseas basketball. Bonus points for a very cool foreword from the great Chucky Brown, too."

-Ben Osborne is Head Of Content at Just Women's Sports. He was previously Senior Features Editor for Fox Sports Digital, and Editor-in-Chief of Bleacher Report and SLAM (where he first got familiar with Kevin via his recurring blog posts from overseas).

Published by transitionse in Press Releases

Tags: Basketball, Books, Kevin Owens, NBA

June 28, 2021 — Comments are off for this post.

Olympian Nicole Heavirland Launches Signature Coffee Line

Olympian Nicole Heavirland Partners with Montana-based Folklore Coffee to Launch Limited Edition Signature Blend

Whitefish-native, who will represent USA Rugby this Summer in Tokyo, hopes project will promote local small business collaboration and entrepreneurship as she prepares to take world stage.

Whitefish, Montana – Whitefish native Nicole Heavirland, a former USA Rugby All-American at West Point and recently-named member of Team USA’s Olympic roster, announced today the launch of her Colombian & Ethiopian Signature Blend, a collaboration with Conrad, Montana-based Folklore Coffee.

The self-professed coffee aficionado has been a longtime patron and partner of Folklore, and worked directly with company founder and head roaster Andy Pollard, along with his brother Matt, to create a blend and brand that represents her spirit, passion and heritage.

“My athletic career has literally afforded me the luxury of indulging in coffee across the globe,” noted Heavirland. “But when I began exploring the idea of developing my own signature line, I felt it was important to use the opportunity to elevate businesses and communities that matter most to me.”

The Pollards developed a blend featuring Heavirland’s preferred Ethiopian beans, while combining Colombian ones to reflect her Colombian heritage. The limited-edition black bag features both Folklore and Heavirland brand marks as well as a reproduction of Heavirland’s fish forearm tattoo (in addition to her passion for java, Heavirland is an avid fly fisherwoman and aspiring yoga instructor).

“I’ve spent a lifetime pursuing success on athletics fields. I’ve learned that life, like rugby, is a team sport. Matt, Andy and the Folklore team have been supporting me for years, and I hope through this endeavor to help them continue to gain a national footprint and, in the process, highlight one of the amazing businesses born and bred in the Big Sky State,” said Heavirland.

To order a bag of Folklore Coffee’s Nicole Heavirland Colombian & Ethiopian Signature Blend, visit https://www.folklorecoffeemt.com/nicoles-blend.html.

Published by transitionse in Press Releases

Tags: Nicole Heavirland

June 23, 2021 — Comments are off for this post.

TSE Congratulates USA Water Polo Gold Medalist Kaleigh Gilchrist on Return to Olympics

Transition Sports and Entertainment (TSE) is proud to congratulate Kaleigh Gilchrist on being once again selected to represent Team USA in Women’s Water Polo at the Tokyo 2020 Games.

TSE Congratulates USA Rugby’s Naya Tapper & Nicole Heavirland

TSE Congratulates USA Rugby's Naya Tapper & Nicole Heavirland
Tapper and Heavirland officially named to U.S. Olympic Women’s Rugby Roster

New York, NY - Transition Sports and Entertainment (TSE) is proud to congratulate two of its clients on being named to the U.S. Women's Rugby roster for the Tokyo Games. Naya Tapper and Nicole Heavirland are among the 12 US women announced by USA Rugby today to have earned roster spots.

TSE CEO Shannon Judd said, "Watching the perseverance and dedication displayed by Naya, Nicole and their teammates over the past year in the face of uncertainty has been inspirational on so many levels to so many people. These women succeed at the highest level while faced with unprecedented obstacles in a sport not yet popularized in the US because of their love and dedication. Today is recognition that their hard work has paid off and we congratulate them and look forward to being a part of their journey to Tokyo and beyond."

About Naya and Nicole
Born in Beaufort, South Carolina, and raised in Charlotte, North Carolina, NAYA TAPPER has played rugby professionally since 2016. After earning All-American track and field honors in high school, she began her rugby career at UNC Chapel Hill and has since become one of USA Women’s 7’s all-time leading try scorers. Her infectious personality led her to create a number of web series, as well as a successful personalized clothing line.

NICOLE HEAVIRLAND, a Whitefish, Montana native, is a former USA Rugby All-American at West Point who made her rugby sevens debut during the 2015-16 World Rugby Women’s 7’s Series. She traveled as a reserve to the 2016 Brazil Olympics before being named USA Rugby Women’s 7’s Captain in 2017. Nicole is training to become a yoga instructor, has a signature line of coffee coming out with a Montana-based roaster, and is an avid fly fisher.

Published by transitionse in Press Releases

Tags: Naya Tapper, Nicole Heavirland, Olympics, Rugby, Shannon Judd

May 4, 2020 — Comments are off for this post.

Announcing the TPI Transition Academy

Announcing the TPI Transition Academy

Incubator, venture studio, and mentorship network for athlete-owned businesses

New York, NY -- The Players Impact (TPI) and Transition Sports & Entertainment(TSE) have opened its submission period for the 2020 TPI Transition Academy, an incubator, venture studio, and mentorship network for athlete-owned businesses. This initiative culminates in TPI’s Athlete Entrepreneur Elevation platform where these founders pitch for capital.

Current and former professional and Olympic athletes, as well as former NCAA Division I athletes are eligible to submit a proposal for the Academy at tpitransition.com. Application period will run between May 4 and May 25.

Up to five finalists will be chosen by a committee partially made up of professional athletes, including TPI Partner and Managing Director Marques Colston and TSE Co-Founder Keith Bulluck. Announcements will be made June 1.

Selected applicants will receive exclusive access to planning sessions with industry leaders that will focus on, among other things, go-to-market strategy, fundraising & venture strategy, marketing/PR, creative direction, pitch review, focus groups, and more.

Founded in 2017, The Players’ Impact (TPI) is an organization built for entrepreneurial-minded athletes. Comprised of more than 200 professional athlete-members, TPI offers a foundation of support in the form of connections with industry experts, early-stage business resources, investment opportunities and more. To these core resources TPI strives to connect every athlete, entrepreneur and investor. The primary goal of TPI is to build and sustain the wealth and success of each and every one of their athlete-members in a targeted, cooperative way.

Transition Sports & Entertainment is a strategic and creative agency specializing in work with athletes and sport and entertainment-focused companies. Transition’s team features a collection of experts who have found proven success within various professional categories including business, financial, marketing and communications, social media, and visual arts. This year, Transition acquired SporTech Ventures, a global sports technology firm which empowers athletes through investment, incubation, and experiential opportunities, to complement its existing capabilities.

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Published by transitionse in Press Releases

Tags: The Players Impact, TPI Transition Academy

April 28, 2020 — Comments are off for this post.

Transition Sports & Entertainment Announces Acquisition of SporTech Ventures

For Immediate Release

April 28, 2020

Transition Sports & Entertainment Announces Acquisition of SporTech Ventures

Strategic and creative agency adds global sports technology firm.

New York, NY – Transition Sports & Entertainment (TSE), a strategic and creative agency specializing in work with athletes and sport-focused companies, announced today its acquisition of SporTech Ventures, a global sports technology firm which empowers athletes through investment, incubation, and experiential opportunities.

With the acquisition, Transition has created a standalone vertical within the company headed by SporTech Founder Peter Stein. Stein will operate in conjunction with management and serve as Transition’s VC in Residence.

Said TSE CEO Shannon Judd, “Over the past seven months, we have collaborated with SporTech on a number of projects and events. Because of the seamlessness with which we were operating, combining on a singular front will only help us better effectively service clients and partners.”

“Peter has been an invaluable ad-hoc member of our team and a large reason for our company’s growth over the last year,” she added. “This move only made sense.”

Stein said, “SporTech Ventures’ rapid growth since its inception necessitated finding talented, forward-thinking, and specialized partners. Partnering with Transition has helped offset our sheer workload, while utilizing its Creators Studio’s capabilities has allowed me to offer partners a whole suite of services we were once unable to fulfill. I’m excited to combine forces, and can’t wait to tackle new things head on.”

Stein added, “We will be rolling out new endeavors almost immediately.”

For more information, visit sportechventures.transitionse.com.

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Published by transitionse in Press Releases

Tags: Peter Stein, Shannon Judd, SporTech Ventures