BrknPar Venture Fund has appointed former Major League Baseball players Jon Jay and Tyson Ross as Athlete Venture Partners, expanding its network of athletes participating directly in the investment process. Both Jay and Ross have invested alongside the venture firm and will contribute to sourcing opportunities, evaluating prospective investments, supporting portfolio companies, and strengthening relationships across the sports technology ecosystem. The appointments reinforce BrknPar’s approach of integrating experienced athletes into venture investing as active participants rather than traditional advisers or brand ambassadors.
An Active Athlete Investment Model
BrknPar’s Athlete Venture Partner program is structured around direct financial and strategic participation throughout the investment lifecycle. Athlete Venture Partners commit capital alongside the fund while contributing to deal sourcing, due diligence, management assessment, market analysis, and strategic introductions for portfolio companies. Founding General Partner Andy Katz said the model is designed to create stronger alignment between the fund and its athlete partners while drawing on their leadership experience, professional networks, and understanding of high-performance organizations.
Jon Jay Brings Baseball and Community Leadership Experience
Jay spent 11 seasons in Major League Baseball and was part of the St. Louis Cardinals team that won the 2011 World Series before later transitioning into organizational and player development roles. A University of Miami graduate, he currently serves on the Cardinals’ management staff, where he remains involved in player development while maintaining relationships throughout professional baseball. Jay also founded the Jay Family Foundation, which supports children and families through education, scholarships, health initiatives, youth development, and community outreach programs.
Tyson Ross Adds Talent Evaluation Perspective
Ross brings experience from a nine-year Major League Baseball career that included an All-Star selection, followed by a transition into professional baseball leadership and talent development. The University of California, Berkeley graduate currently serves as a Special Assistant with the Los Angeles Dodgers, contributing to player development, organizational strategy, and high-performance initiatives. Ross is also involved with Loyal To My Soil, a Bay Area nonprofit focused on expanding access to baseball and softball opportunities for underserved and inner-city youth.
Supporting BrknPar’s Investment Strategy
Through their new roles, Jay and Ross are expected to identify investment opportunities through their professional networks while participating in diligence and evaluating founders, leadership teams, and potential markets. They will also work with BrknPar portfolio companies by providing strategic perspectives, facilitating introductions, and applying lessons from competitive sports and organizational leadership to growing businesses. BrknPar invests in growth companies operating across sports, technology, and culture, combining institutional investment experience with a network that includes entrepreneurs, executives, family offices, institutions, and athletes.
The addition of Jay and Ross strengthens BrknPar’s effort to position athletes as active contributors to venture capital rather than passive investors or promotional partners. Their experience in professional sports, leadership, talent assessment, and community initiatives gives the firm additional perspectives as it evaluates companies and supports founders within its target markets. By combining committed capital with direct involvement in investment decisions and portfolio development, BrknPar is expanding a model intended to turn athlete experience and relationships into practical value for emerging businesses.