Key Takeaways
- Jason Kidd joins Prep Network’s board of directors and becomes an equity holder following the company’s $30 million partnership with Maple Park Capital Partners established in September 2025
- Prep Network added 20 full-time employees since the investment and scheduled 50% more events for 2026, expanding from 300 to approximately 450 tournaments across the United States
- Kidd brings operational experience from multiple business ventures including ownership stakes in Premier League’s Everton FC, Oakland Roots soccer, and board positions at Go Rentals
- The platform publishes over 4,000 articles monthly and operates eight owned media properties focused on high school athlete recruitment and development
- Kidd will serve as operating advisor for Maple Park while the firms pursue additional acquisitions to expand Prep Network’s event and content portfolio
From Coaching the Mavericks to Guiding Youth Sports Growth
Jason Kidd, the Dallas Mavericks head coach and Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Famer, has taken an equity position in Prep Network and joined its board of directors. The move follows Maple Park Capital Partners’ investment in the Minneapolis-based company last September, reportedly valued at $30 million according to Bloomberg.
Kidd will also serve as operating advisor for Maple Park, the private equity firm backing Prep Network’s expansion. Financial terms of Kidd’s equity stake were not disclosed.
“Jason has been a friend and an advisor for years; he was helping us, advising us, and sharing his expertise even before we invested,” Andrew Lauck, co-founder of Maple Park, told Front Office Sports. “It was a natural next step to add him as an operating advisor to Maple Park to tap his know-how to be successful in this partnership.”
Prep Network operates team-based tournaments in basketball, football, and volleyball while publishing content spotlighting high school athletes pursuing collegiate competition. Co-founders Jake Phillips and Nick Carroll, both former Division III basketball players at Minnesota schools, met nearly 20 years ago while coaching youth basketball together.
Operational Experience Beyond Basketball
Kidd’s involvement extends beyond celebrity endorsement. The 10-time NBA All-Star earned more than $182 million in contracts across his 19-year playing career and won an NBA championship with the Mavericks in 2011. He brings experience from multiple business ventures including stakes in Premier League soccer club Everton, Oakland Roots and Soul Sports Club (USL Championship teams acquired in 2023), and golf technology company 18Birdies (2017 investment). He also serves on the board of Go Rentals, a luxury vehicle and aircraft rental company.
“His awareness of how different puzzle pieces could fit together—and which ones wouldn’t—is incredibly meaningful as we think about growth and M&A,” Carroll told Front Office Sports.
Kidd also founded the Jason Kidd Foundation in 1999, relaunching it in 2020 to expand its mission of empowering youth through sports and education access. The foundation operates nationally recognized programs including JK Select Girls Basketball and JK Select Baseball, focused on athlete development and mentorship.
Rapid Post-Investment Expansion
Since Maple Park’s September 2025 investment, Prep Network has expanded operations significantly. The company added 20 full-time employees and increased its 2026 event schedule by 50%, growing from 300 tournaments in 2025 to approximately 450 events scheduled across the United States this year.
The platform publishes more than 4,000 articles monthly through eight owned-and-operated media properties. Headquartered in Plymouth, Minnesota, Prep Network focuses on athlete rankings, tournament coverage, and recruiting analysis for families and coaches navigating the pathway to collegiate athletics.
“Having kids going through it, having built teams, and having been a leader all the way up to the professional level uniquely qualifies him to play this role,” Phillips told Front Office Sports regarding Kidd’s board appointment.
Private Equity Activity in Youth Sports Events
Maple Park Capital Partners, launched in January 2025 and based in Dallas and New York, focuses on multi-unit service businesses including youth enrichment, franchising, and hospitality sectors. The firm’s only other investment portfolio company is Rita’s, the Italian ice and custard franchise.
Alex Blankfein, co-founder of Maple Park, noted the alignment between Kidd’s philosophy and the firm’s approach. “Youth sports are about empowering kids and teaching lessons, whether or not they ever reach the collegiate or professional level,” Blankfein told Front Office Sports. “The lessons learned on the basketball court, volleyball court, and other arenas are invaluable—Jason shares those beliefs.”
The Prep Network leadership indicated plans for additional acquisitions to expand the platform’s event and content offerings, an area where Kidd’s operational and strategic experience is expected to contribute as both board member and Maple Park advisor.
Strategic Positioning in a Competitive Market
Prep Network competes in the youth sports events and recruiting content space alongside established platforms and regional tournament operators. The company’s model combines live event operations with digital content production, creating multiple revenue streams from tournament fees, subscription content, and media properties.
Kidd’s involvement provides Prep Network with connections across professional sports, youth development programs, and business operations. His experience spans 30 years including 19 seasons as an NBA player and 12 seasons coaching at the professional level, plus direct engagement through his foundation’s basketball and baseball programs.
“Prep Network has built a platform designed to meet athletes where they are on their athletic journey, offering the tools and exposure required to advance their development,” Kidd stated in the company announcement. “The Company’s focus on establishing meaningful and positive pathways for development, from competition and evaluation to reliable guidance for families and coaches, strongly aligns with my vision for the future of youth athletics.”
The platform’s expansion comes as private equity firms increase activity in youth sports businesses, targeting companies with recurring revenue models, scalable operations, and fragmented competitive landscapes that offer consolidation opportunities.
Via: FOS / Prep Network
photo: NBA
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