Interesting FCS Meetings this week, Private Equity Playoffs on horizon?

[Brother Bear]

PE Firm Pitches Taking FCS Football Playoff Private

On Tuesday, Sequence Equity presented a plan for a privatized FCS College Football Playoff, Front Office Sports has learned.

frontofficesports.com

investment firm Sequence Equity was the group behind a pitch made to FCS commissioners about a privatized FCS Playoff this week, according to Front Office Sports’ Amanda Christovich, who adds more, “According to the proposal, the new playoff would be run by a new private entity. FCS conferences would own the majority of the new entity, but Sequence Equity would take a minority stake and offer ‘tens of millions of dollars in investment,’ the source said. [...] It’s unclear when this entity could get up and running, as the concepts are still in the educational and discussion stages. But sending the proposal to the NCAA for discussion was described by the source as the next step.”

 

[Brother Bear]

Sequence Equity Pitches Commissioners On A Private FCS Playoff

FCS commissioners heard a pitch this week in Chicago from Sequence Equity, who is looking to invest in and help operate the playoffs.

herosports.com

In a pitch given to FCS commissioners, the playoff system would be operated by a new private entity, which would be owned by FCS conferences while Sequence Equity takes a minority stake. Sequence Equity would inject tens of millions of dollars in investment into the playoffs.​

 

[Griz til I die]

Based on everything I’ve read so far, I think this is a really good thing for the FCS. There doesn’t appear to be anything nefarious about it. Sign me up!

 

[jrifkin48]

What's wrong with the setup now?

 

[HelenaHandBasket]

What's wrong with the setup now?

Lack of cash for the schools.

 

[putter]

Anything would be better than what ESPN does now. They may have the rights, but they barely promote the games. Maybe a new setup would invest in actually promoting the product

 

[markson161]

$35.00 playoff tickets would probably be a thing of the past.

 

[HelenaHandBasket]

Anything would be better than what ESPN does now. They may have the rights, but they barely promote the games. Maybe a new setup would invest in actually promoting the product

The issue is the NCAA not ESPN.

 

[kemajic]

Anything would be better than what ESPN does now. They may have the rights, but they barely promote the games. Maybe a new setup would invest in actually promoting the product

When I think of the competences of ESPN I can't get away from Keith Obermann.

 

[mthoopsfan]

When I think of the competences of ESPN I can't get away from Keith Obermann.

I think he left ESPN in 2020.

 

[mthoopsfan]

Sequence.

About Sequence Equity
Sequence Equity is a private investment firm dedicated to identifying and supporting businesses that drive innovation and create measurable impact. With a strategic focus across its diverse investment platforms, Sequence aims to deliver meaningful results while fostering sustainable growth. Founded by Marcus D. Stroud and Brandon Allen, the firm takes a collaborative, forward-looking approach to investments in technology, sports, and adjacent sectors.

Former MySpace Co-founder and Co-founder of Crosscut Ventures joins Sequence Equity for next phase of growth

LOS ANGELES, March 26, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Sequence Equity (FKA TXV Partners), a private equity and venture capital investment firm focused on human optimization and sports, is pleased to announce that Brett Brewer has joined the firm as a Managing Partner. Brewer brings his extensive experience as an entrepreneur, operator, and investor to help drive Sequence's growth and advance its mission to invest in transformative businesses and opportunities across Sequence's various strategies."

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/brett-brewer-joins-sequence-equity-130000875.html?fr=sycsrp_catchall

One of the partners played football at Princeton. https://goprincetontigers.com/sports/football/roster/marcus-stroud/10353

 

[kemajic]

I think he left ESPN in 2020.

Of course, but he still spews BS as much as when he was there. Unforgetable.

 

[putter]

The issue is the NCAA not ESPN.

I understand that. However, I was always amazed that ESPN paid to broadcast the playoffs yet never seemed to actually promote it.

 

[HelenaHandBasket]

I understand that. However, I was always amazed that ESPN paid to broadcast the playoffs yet never seemed to actually promote it.

ESPN got FCS broadcast rights as part of a larger package that includes 21 women's events and 19 men's events. They aren't losing money, so why spend more to promote something that most likely has very little growth potential for revenue? The NCAA is what has let down FCS football.

 

[putter]

Bumping this up. With the first 2 rounds on ESPN+, I hope they can negotiate something to get more eyeballs on the postseason. ESPN and the NCAA sure proving they don't care at all about our subdivision.

 

[brewskis]

The issue is the NCAA not ESPN.

Two things can be true at the same time….they’re both terrible.

 

[footballdood]

Ehhhh no thanks to private equity.

 

[4_0_6]

^^^right, when has PE ever been good for consumers or employees. Bleed it dry and destroy is all they do.

 

[HelenaHandBasket]

Two things can be true at the same time….they’re both terrible.

ESPN is terrible because there is no financial upside because the NCAA failed.

 

[Montanabob]

Bumping this up. With the first 2 rounds on ESPN+, I hope they can negotiate something to get more eyeballs on the postseason. ESPN and the NCAA sure proving they don't care at all about our subdivision.

with that said, why have 8 games start this weekend at 10am and 11am.