Navigating Growing Pains: A Deep Dive into Players Health, the Woj-Approved Insurance Firm

Players Health made headlines recently by bringing on Adrian Wojnarowski, a well-known former ESPN NBA insider and current St. Bonaventure basketball GM, as their brand ambassador. This collaboration is part of a larger strategy to strengthen their partnership with the Bonnies program and comes on the heels of a successful $60 million funding round that pushed the company’s total investment past the nine-figure mark.

Since its launch in 2015, Players Health has carved out a niche in the amateur sports insurance market. The company’s founder, Tyrre Burks, a former college football player, is passionate about creating safer sports environments for athletes. Recently, he shared that Players Health sold $80 million in premiums across 15,000 policies in just 2024, protecting over 5 million athletes.

The company has also aligned itself with several sports organizations, including US Youth Soccer, USA Cheer, and USA Boxing. In March 2024, Players Health secured an additional $28 million in funding, indicating their aggressive push into the college sports insurance sector. They’re aiming to offer innovative products for Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) collectives and critical injury coverage, tapping into a market that has been historically fraught with challenges and disputes.

Experts indicate that the demand for transparent and reliable insurance in the sports realm is higher than ever. According to a recent survey by the Sports Insurance Association, around 67% of youth sports organizations express concerns about their liability concerning athlete injuries and misconduct. This highlights the need for solutions like those offered by Players Health.

Despite their advancements, Players Health has faced scrutiny. Public records show that since 2021, Burks and Players Health encountered nine regulatory issues in seven states, primarily due to late filings and disclosures. States like Kentucky and Kansas have penalized them for these oversights. However, a company spokesperson stated that they have since improved their compliance practices and engaged experts to ensure adherence to all regulations.

Players Health operates as both an insurance broker and a managing general agent, connecting insurers with clients while offering a free risk management platform to youth sports organizations. This approach helps them gather data to create competitive insurance products.

The company’s early leadership reflects a blend of sports experience and business acumen, with team members who have backgrounds in various athletic fields. While they’ve faced hurdles, Players Health remains committed to their mission of protecting athletes and providing reliable insurance options.

This ongoing focus on athlete welfare, combined with their innovative approach, has positioned Players Health as a notable player in the sports insurance industry during a time where effective coverage is more critical than ever.



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