Pro Player Connect Helping Athletes Network, Make Deals

Pro Player Connect (PPC), a Web site founded by NFL Panthers long snapper JASON KYLE, "allows companies and organizations to view profiles of athletes and contact them with business offers," according to Jefferson George of the CHARLOTTE OBSERVER. Kyle said that the site "cuts out the middleman and provides easier access for smaller businesses, while keeping athletes' personal information private and allowing them to find sponsors for their charity events." Kyle added that the site "also provides social networking for athletes, as well as a way for retired athletes to find job opportunities." Kyle said, "It's difficult at first to gain the trust of the athletes. Many are worried about the security of their contact information. Once they see all the athletes who have entered profiles and how the site works, they feel more comfortable." Kyle added, "It is sometimes difficult to both find and contact the agent of the athlete, and agents are not necessarily interested in brokering" smaller events. Kyle: "I know plenty of athletes who would love to show up for an hour, sign some autographs and make a quick grand. NFL and other sports teams are not in the business of finding outside revenue-generating opportunities for athletes." Kyle said the company is now "20% ahead of our goal" (CHARLOTTE OBSERVER, 8/3). In a sidebar, George noted PPC has added "more than 560 active and retired athletes as members, and companies and organizations have made more than 14,500 business offers to athletes" through the site. Most members of PPC "are football players," but the site also features "athletes from other major sports, as well as the Olympics and X Games." PPC's "bigger names" include NASCAR driver KASEY KAHNE, Red Sox P CURT SCHILLING and Olympic gold medalist swimmer AMY VAN DYKEN-ROUEN (CHARLOTTE OBSERVER, 8/3).
http://www.proplayerconnect.com/