The 33rd Team, a football intelligence and technology company founded by veteran NFL executive Mike Tannenbaum, has closed an eight-figure Series B funding round as it accelerates its push to become a data and technology provider for pro and collegiate football organizations. The round was led by a consortium of strategic SME-focused investors and included Liberty Media, FORTA Advisors, Autumn Road, Dan Senor, Nick Gross, Gary Vaynerchuk, Ryan Moore, Greg Ciongoli, George Pyne, John Low, and Silver Falcon Capital, the family office of former NASCAR CEO Brian France. The company said it also added football industry participants to its cap table, including NFL alumnus Justin Pugh and former head coach Matt Patricia.
The financing follows a strategic pivot the company initiated in early 2024, moving away from content and media and toward building technology products for teams. Over the past 17 months, The 33rd Team said it took its Zenith platform from concept to market adoption, securing deals with four NFL teams ahead of the 2025–26 season—more than 10% of the league.
The company said those partnerships center on delivering advanced on-field metrics and analytics while providing a foundation for expanding its product roadmap across additional teams. It also highlighted a proprietary suite of pre-snap data points it says are not currently available in the market, including huddles, motions, substitutions, and formations.
The 33rd Team said it makes that data available to teams on a near-real-time basis following games and that the information is already being incorporated into weekly pre-scout preparation and in-game management workflows. Executives positioned the new capital as fuel to deepen product development at the intersection of NFL expertise, data engineering, and AI-driven modeling.
The company describes itself as combining front-office and coaching experience with analytics and advisory services designed to help organizations make faster, more actionable football decisions as competition and technology adoption accelerate across the sports landscape.
KEY QUOTES:
“This is a transformational moment for us. 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.”
Mike Tannenbaum, CEO, The 33rd Team
“Sports ownership is entering a period of rapid modernization, driven by private investment and aggressive adoption of next-generation technology. 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.”
Ryan Moore, Founder, Revenant VC
“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. 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.”
Mark Romagnoli, Chief Operating Officer, The 33rd Team
