AusLeisure

Sports talent marketplace Pickstar, founded by former AFL players James Begley and Matthew Pavlich, has raised $1 million in funding from investors.

Offering a new way for brands and fans engage with sports talent, the online booking platform allows the direct brokering of deals with sports stars, from backyard birthday parties and speaking engagements through to global endorsements.

Pickstar is using technology to disrupt the traditional sports talent industry, bolstering the earning potential of everyone from global stars to women in sport and up and coming professional athletes, with deals on the platform ranging from as little as $200 to five and six figure endorsement deals.

Pickstar has over 900 registered athletes and sports personalities across sporting codes including NRL, AFL, football, cricket and swimming.

AFL star Dustin Martin, Matildas striker Sam Kerr, NRL legend Sam Thaiday and former rugby union and new Bachelor Nick ‘Honey Badger’ Cummins are just a few of the household names currently available on the platform.

Former Adelaide Crow and Saint and Pickstar Chief Executive and co-founder, James Begley explains “our own experiences as professional AFL players prompted Matthew and I to set up Pickstar and it’s quickly grown.

“It’s an exciting time for Pickstar and our investors, as well as the sports stars, fans and brands that will benefit from the anticipated growth of the platform.

“We’re very happy to have secured backing from some well known sports personalities, as well as a sophisticated cohort of investors and business leaders.

“Pickstar has already facilitated more than 1,000 commercial opportunities between sport stars and clients ranging from fans, schools and clubs through to major brands and their agencies. We are using this funding to develop a Pickstar app and talent management system for agents and managers, as well as speed up our expansion into New Zealand and the UK. “

AFL legend and former Fremantle captain and Pickstar Director and co-founder Matthew

Pavlich adds “Pickstar is an absolute game changer for athletes, fans and brands and I’m excited about our platform’s future.

“Traditionally access to sports stars has only been possible through clubs, agents or personal networks, but this technology breaks down barriers and allows anyone to connect with stars directly and easily.”

“As a former athlete myself, I’m pleased a business like this now exists that benefits the current generation of athletes as well as older or retired sports stars looking to maximise their commercial opportunities. It’s a win-win for everyone.”

Pickstar has secured partnerships with numerous professional sporting bodies including the AFL Players’ Association, Professional Footballers Australia, Australian Basketballers’ Association and the Australian Netball Players’ Association.

Click here for more information.

Image: James Begley and Matthew Pavlich.

Related Articles

7th August 2018 - PickStar introduces new era in leveraging promotional opportunities for sporting stars

9th October 2017 - Tourism Australia launches youth orientated news channel

9th June 2017 - Former Fremantle Dockers star Matthew Pavlich fronts new Tourism WA AFL campaign

4th May 2017 - PMY Group announces new regional Chief Executive and advisory board member

21st February 2017 - PFA launches ambitious vision for future of women’s football

12th June 2016 - AFL Players Association concern over player injury on Etihad Stadium surface edge

13th January 2016 - AFL Players’ Association head says Essendon players victims, not perpetrators

16th January 2012 - AFL Players’ Association releases Annual Development & Wellbeing report

3rd March 2011 - PFA Supports A-League Players in Uncertain Times

---

Support our industry news service
We hope that you value the news that we publish so while you're here can we ask for your support?

As an independent publisher, we need reader support for our industry news gathering so ask that - if you don't already do so - you back us by subscribing to the printed Australasian Leisure Management magazine and/or our online news.