Connor Renton, founder of the Brodie League, gives everyday people the opportunity to feel like a professional athlete.
A small percentage of people become professional athletes, but Connor Renton wants to help anyone who can feel the feeling of being one.
The 28-year-old Toronto native played rugby and hockey in his youth, but he had the idea of creating a recreational basketball league that treated average Joes like heroes.
An idea that Renton laughed at has become a national league with 35 locations, more than 600 games per week and more than 1 billion views on social media.
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A player takes a free throw in front of the fans at a Brodie League game. (Brodie)
“The first thing that comes to mind is passion. People love sports. Humans love sports. It’s all for us when we’re kids. It’s the shape that we are. We all dream about playing in the NBA, NFL or NHL. Then you come out on the other side, and you feel like a failure if not what you finish,” Renton told FOX Business.
“Unfortunately, all adult sports options, including current operators and people out there, lack passion and commitment. No one grows up dreaming about playing pickleball or running a marathon, but at least they care. At least they sign up to play there. That’s what I noticed with Brodie and basketball, but it’s the same with every sport across the planet”.
Brodie has everything that most leagues have: the jersey, the team and the referee. But go the extra mile with your own personal stats, movies, highlights and even media days.
“When I think about what I want by starting Brodie, one of the things is that I am jealous of the media athletes: photos, videos, images and statistics. That’s what I want as an athlete and as a consumer of our products,” said Renton.
“Finally, it’s the thing that causes us to grow so fast. You’ll play the game, and you’ll get 10 videos and 10 photos every night. The barrier you put on your own social media or in a group chat is very high. The flywheel of nature just blew us away.”
Connor Renton is the founder of the Brodie League. (The Brodie League)
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Brodie has leagues for all skill levels, from former Division I players to people just looking for some cardio at night. In fact, 40% of Brodie’s players have never played organized basketball.
“The whole sports industry has focused on the 0.1% of people who play at Duke, College or overseas. They don’t pay attention to the 99.9% of us who just want to get a good run in, play team sports with five to 10 other men or women, and have something to look forward to,” Renton said.
“Obviously, statistics, images and glory are worth it, but there are many other components of why we love sports. It is built for everyday athletes, not professional men.”
The company recently raised $3.6 million in venture capital in exchange for equity in the business, which helps the league operate AI tools to deliver something that separates Brodie from other rec leagues.
“Technology has made this business easier to do,” Renton said.
And like a businessman, Renton hopes Brodie is just the tip of the iceberg.
“My goal is that anyone, anywhere can download the Brodie app, find an organized and competitive league for them and have an experience that treats them right. In the next five years, it’s not just Brodie Los Angeles and Brodie Miami. It’s also Brodie Sydney, Brodie Paris and Brodie London. Ultimately, this is about changing the world of sports,” he said.
Players of all skill levels can compete at one of the 35 Brodie League locations across the United States. (The Brodie League)
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“There is no reason why the world of sports should cater to the 0.1% of athletes. There are more than enough people who love to exercise, host their own pickup game with friends, go to LA Fitness or go for a walk and buy a pair of bike shorts to start road cycling, not because they want to, but because they don’t know what to do.
“When you think of Brodie, I want people to think of team sports and change the world of rec sports in general. That’s our mission, and what we like to accomplish.”