The 33rd Team, a football intelligence and tech company founded by former Jets and Dolphins front office executive Mike Tannenbaum, reported raising a new growth investment round. Executives did not disclose a specific amount, instead calling it an “eight-figure” Series B.
The latest round features investors including Liberty Media, Forta Advisors, Autumn Road, Dan Senor, Nick Gross, Gary Vaynerchuk, Ryan Moore, Greg Ciongoli, George Pyne, John Low, Silver Falcon Capital (the family office of Brian France, former NASCAR CEO), as well as NFL alumnus Justin Pugh and former head coach Matt Patricia.
“This is a transformational moment for us,” said CEO Tannenbaum. “It’s a powerful validation of our vision and the new direction we’re embarking on as a company. The guidance from our investors — spanning across elite coaching, global media, technology innovation, and more — is an invaluable asset as we build the future of football.”
The round, initiated in early 2024, signaled the company’s pivot away from content and media toward technology innovation. In fewer than 17 months, the company reported in a media release, it took its Zenith platform from concept to market adoption, secured deals with four NFL teams, and captured over 10 percent of the league in the inaugural 2025/26 season. These collaborations “provide advanced on-field metrics and analytics, while positioning the company to accelerate its technology roadmap and expand its footprint across the league.”
“Sports ownership is entering a period of rapid modernization, driven by private investment and aggressive adoption of next-generation technology,” said Ryan Moore, founder of Revenant VC. “With AI accelerating this shift, it’s clear that organizations must evolve or fall behind. The 33rd Team is at the forefront of this transformation, equipping teams with the intelligence needed to navigate the competitive landscape both on and off the field.”
As part of its expanding technology platform, the company has developed a proprietary suite of pre-snap data points not available on the market, including huddles, motions, substitutions, and formations. This data is made available to teams in near-real time after games and is fully integrated into weekly pre-scout preparation and in-game management workflows across the league.
“Our foundation in deep NFL expertise, combined with a commitment to leveraging leading technologies, including the new force multiplier of AI, creates an unparalleled value proposition,” said Mark Romagnoli, chief operating officer of The 33rd Team. “This funding enables us to build the engine for a market-changing platform, allowing the company to innovate at the intersection of on-field knowledge, advanced data, and technology to enhance team performance, fan engagement, and beyond.”
Image courtesy New York Jets
