Why former Phillies slugger Ryan Howard invested in this camp for future sportscasters

Who will be the next Harry Kalas? Conshohocken-based Play by Play Sports Broadcasting Camps is hoping kids from its weeklong programs are the next generation’s answer to that question.

The company, which currently offers camps in nine cities across the U.S., received an investment from SeventySix Capital, in a deal led by Phillies slugger turned venture capitalist Ryan Howard, who joined Wayne Kimmel’s firm in May of last year. The size of the investment was not disclosed, but the Radnor firm said in October its typical deal size was in the $250,000 to $1 million range. In November, the company raised a $10.5 million fund from which it has invested in N3rd Street Gamers, a Northern Liberties-based esports startup, internet-of-things company Kwik and now SBC.

For Howard, the interesting hook to the company is its ability to provide talent to the growing evosystem of media platforms for sports.

“So many people love sports but think that it’s impossible to get into the sports broadcasting industry,” Howard said in a statement. “That’s not the case today. There are now countless channels, social media platforms and live events — each needing broadcasters. At SBC, campers learn from top broadcasters, athletes and industry executives, setting them on the path to becoming a successful broadcaster.”

The firm employs three full-timers out of its Montco HQ and 40 part-timers. The capital will help the company scale its programs and include a digital skills component. Its helmed by Co-CEOs Jeremy Treatman — former broadcaster and basketball promoter — and sports and entertainment event manager Steven Goldstein.

“There are more opportunities than ever, thanks to streams, podcasts, the emergence of esports and multitudes of new networks being created seemingly daily,” said Treatman. “The future is bright for our SBC campers.”

Here’s Howard himself announcing the investment: