Entrepreneur Jeff Sloan, founder and CEO of StartupNation and Aria Ventures in Birmingham, is launching SportsCaster.com, a platform that empowers sports enthusiasts to create and share podcasts, video content, and live play-by-play broadcasts.
The goal is to build a sports content hub and social destination where fans and aspiring sportscasters can connect, engage, and deepen their sports experience.
To kickstart the new platform and build an audience, Sloan and co-founder Michael Spath secured licensing rights from the Michigan High School Athletic Association to broadcast the state’s high school football game of the week during the current season.
The broadcasts began on Aug. 29, while WJR-AM aired a live broadcast, with SportsCaster enlisting high school students to join WJR-AM ‘s play-by-play broadcaster Chris Renwick in the booth.
According to Sloan, the initiative has garnered strong support from key stakeholders, including SportsCaster advisors Dan Miller, a FOX 2 Detroit and Detroit Lions play-by-play broadcaster, and Tim McCormick, an NCAA and NBA color commentator.
Sloan and Spath, a sports radio personality, will be on-site at every featured high school football game (full list below to be broadcast by WJR-AM). Student broadcasters from each competing school will provide color commentary the entire game and additional content will be livestreamed on SportsCaster.com throughout each game.
“We plan to produce a live pregame, halftime and postgame broadcast on SportsCaster.com in partnership with WJR,” says Sloan. “We’re excited to introduce SportsCaster and encourage new users to join our platform.”
Users can now register to open a SportsCaster channel, where they can upload and publish content for viewers to watch, rate, comment on, and subscribe to. Premium users will have access to exclusive content.
Soon, advertisers and sponsors will be able to place ads across the platform, with revenue shared among rights holders, sportscasters, and SportsCaster.
“Our goal with SportsCaster is to democratize sports broadcasting by offering a platform to sports fans and aspiring broadcasters the opportunity to establish their brand, secure subscribers, and have their voice be heard by others,” Sloan says.
“We provide our members with the opportunity to publish a variety of sports-related content ranging from creating a podcast to hosting a sports talk show to even engaging in live play by play opportunities that SportsCaster secures and offers to our members. Our tagline is ‘we put the mic in your hands,’”
Collaborating in the development of SportsCaster.com is lead consultant Dietz Sports and Entertainment in Farmington Hills. According to Michael Dietz, founder and president of Dietz Sports and Entertainment, SportsCaster.com is a game-changer for local high school sports and sets the stage for future growth.
“We’re excited to be part of SportsCaster’s journey and support their innovative approach to sports broadcasting,” Dietz says.
Dan Miller, an advisor for SportsCaster.com and the FOX 2 Detroit sports director and anchor as well as the Detroit Lions’ Play-by-Play sportscaster, says the platform offers “a chance to support and mentor the next generation of talent in our industry.
“I was fortunate to have many mentors who guided me throughout my career, and I’m excited to give back by helping young broadcasters chase their dreams. It’s a privilege to contribute to their journey and to pay forward the support I once received.”
The Schedule of High School Football Broadcasts this fall:
- Week 1 – Thursday, Aug 29 – Xenith Prep Kickoff Classic – De La Salle vs Davison – 7:00 pm
- Week 2 – Friday, Sept 6 – Saline at Dexter – 7:00 pm
- Week 3 – Friday, Sept13 – De La Salle at Orchard Lake St. Mary’s – 7:00 pm
- Week 4 – Friday, Sept 20 – Detroit MLK at Cass Tech – 7:00 pm
- Week 5 – Friday, Sept 27 – Chippawa Valley at Macomb Dakota – 7:00 pm
- Week 6 – Friday, Oct 4 – Brother Rice vs. Catholic Central
- Week 7 – Friday, Oct 11 – Lake Orion vs. Clarkston
- Week 8 – Friday, Oct 18 – Belleville vs. Fordson
- Week 9 – Friday Oct 25 – Birmingham Seaholm vs. Birmingham Groves
For more information, visit sportscaster.com/.
In other startup news, area entrepreneurs are invited to apply for the 2024-2025 Start-Up Incubator program offered through The Entrepreneurship Center at Washtenaw Community College (WCC) in Ann Arbor. The next cohort begins in October. The deadline to apply is September 27.
The Start-Up Incubator is a free comprehensive 18-month program designed to nurture the growth of community start-ups, foster innovation, and create opportunities for multi-generational wealth.
Through a structured curriculum and personalized guidance, participants embark on a transformative journey to turn their business ideas into successful ventures. Participation in the incubator offers business development education, resources, coaching and peer support through cohorts.
The incubator also provides ongoing coaching, guest speakers, discounted copy services, logo and web site design, business cards, headshots, and a co-working space — all at no charge.
Multiple businesses and individuals have launched or expanded their current ventures with the help of the Start-Up Incubator program, including four food trucks which will serve customers at this year’s Tech Trek from 1-5 p.m. Friday, September 27, in downtown Ann Arbor (Liberty Street, between Fifth Avenue and South Division). All of the food truck businesses — Blue Lemon Thai, The Chow Hall, Corned Beef Queen and Marupo Eats — have received ongoing support through the WCC Entrepreneurship Center.
WCC operates three cohorts each year. For more information and to apply, visit the Entrepreneurship Center website.
Start-Up Incubator
- WHAT: The Start-Up Incubator is a free comprehensive 18-month program offered through Washtenaw Community College’s Entrepreneurship Center to help start-ups launch their businesses.
- WHEN: The next cohort begins in October.
- APPLY: Deadline to apply is Sept. 27
- WEBSITE: wccnet.edu/entrepreneurship
