Philly investors lead $10M raise for sports site TheWhistle
"Most Likely to Be Acquired"?
The Whistle, operator of TheWhistleNetwork.com, a New York-based online sports platform cofounded by software developer John West (Silver Oak Solutions, Entrat) and ex-Gatorade executive Jeff Urban, has raised $10 million from locally-based SeventySix Capital, ex-Major League Baseball president Bob DuPuy, ex-Nickelodeon and Disney Cable president Gerry Laybourne, Clear Channel boss Bob Pitman, "and pro athletes like Derek Jeter and Peyton Manning," the company's external-affairs chief, Brian Selander, a former spokesman for Delaware Gov. Jack Markell, tells me.
The Whistle says its "content partners include the NFL, MLB, NASCAR, PGA, Major League Lacrosse and Philly-based Major League Ultimate," which you can read more about at http://mlultimate.com/mlu-and-the-whistle-sign-partnership-content-agreement/ . The company has made at least one "Most Likely to Be Acquired" (link fixed) list. Wayne Kimmel, partners with Tony Bifano at SeventySix Capital, confirms he and his team are "great fans of the team at TheWhistle."
Selander said he talked to Kimmel, a Delaware native who has "an incredible network" of finance, development and government pals, about TheWhistle when Selander was leaving his state job. "We're excited by the clear show of support by a great team investors and by the content creators and subscribers that joined us since our launch," Selander added.