# Beyond-Sports — Full Documentation

> Beyond-Sports is the executive education platform for professional athletes. We help athletes build ventures, careers, and leadership beyond the game.

## About Beyond-Sports

Beyond-Sports is an executive education platform for professional athletes. We partner with world-class institutions to deliver programs that equip athletes with the tools, frameworks, and mentorship needed to launch businesses and build long-term success beyond sports.

Our mission is to help athletes build clarity, develop viable business models, and pursue long-term ownership — all while retaining full ownership of what they create. Beyond-Sports does not take equity in participant ventures.

## Founder

**Collin Johnson** — Founder of Beyond-Sports

Collin Johnson is the founder of Beyond-Sports, a platform focused on helping professional athletes build meaningful careers, businesses, and opportunities beyond the game.

**Professional Athletics:**
- 6-year NFL veteran wide receiver
- Comes from a football family — his father, Johnnie Johnson, was a first-round NFL draft pick and 10-year NFL veteran; multiple relatives have also played in the NFL

**NFLPA Leadership:**
- Served as an NFLPA Player Representative while playing for the Chicago Bears, elected by teammates to act as a liaison between the union and the locker room
- Appointed by the NFLPA President to serve on the CARD Committee (Committee on Agent Regulation and Discipline)
- The CARD Committee helps oversee more than 1,000 NFLPA-certified agents and helps safeguard an ecosystem of $9B+ in active NFL player contracts

**Education:**
- Harvard Business School Executive Education — Business of Entertainment, Media & Sports (BEMS)

## Programs

### Founders Academy (Flagship Program)

The Founders Academy is the flagship, in-person experience offered by Beyond-Sports. It is an exclusive program designed to help professional athletes turn ideas into real ventures.

**Program Details:**
- Duration: 4-day intensive program
- Location: Cambridge, Massachusetts
- Cohort size: Limited to 10 athletes
- Next session: June 26 - 29, 2026
- Format: In-person, hands-on experience
- Certificate of Completion from Beyond-Sports

**What Happens During the Program:**
Athletes work in small teams alongside experienced industry mentors. Each day combines structured sessions, collaborative work on the athlete's business or idea, and guided feedback to help teams make meaningful progress.

**Who It's For:**
Professional athletes who are thinking seriously about building something beyond their playing career. Participants who benefit most are motivated to learn, open to collaboration, and ready to take action on an idea, venture, or long-term direction. No prior business idea is required to apply.

**Application Process:**
- Selective program with limited spots per cohort
- Applications reviewed holistically
- Emphasis on motivation, readiness to learn, and alignment with program goals
- Submitting an application does not commit you to attend
- You decide whether to participate after receiving an offer of admission

**Key Policies:**
- Beyond-Sports does not take equity in participant ventures
- Athletes retain full ownership of what they build

### Case Academy

The Case Academy is a live, case-based learning experience delivered in partnership with professional sports unions and faculty affiliated with Harvard Business School.

**Program Details:**
- Format: Live case discussions modeled after the HBS classroom
- Method: Harvard Case Method — analyze real-world business challenges
- Faculty: Leading business school faculty through structured executive frameworks
- Focus: Leadership clarity and a sophisticated understanding of global business dynamics
- Cohort: Curated group of professional athlete peers

**Who It's For:**
Current and former professional athletes who want to sharpen their analytical skills and prepare for leadership roles in the business world.

**Application Process:**
- Applications distributed through professional sports unions
- Contact your union's player development department for the current application link
- Applications reviewed on a rolling basis by the Beyond-Sports Admissions Committee

## Frequently Asked Questions

**What is the Founders Academy designed to help athletes do?**
The Founders Academy is designed to help professional athletes turn ideas into real ventures. The program focuses on building clarity, developing viable business models, and equipping athletes with the tools, frameworks, and support needed to pursue long-term ownership beyond sports.

**Who are your programs designed for?**
Our programs are designed for professional athletes who are thinking seriously about building something beyond their playing career.

**Do I need a business idea to apply?**
No. While some athletes apply with a defined idea, others apply with an area of interest or a problem they want to explore.

**How selective is the application process?**
The Founders Academy is a selective program with a limited number of spots per cohort. Applications are reviewed holistically.

**How many athletes are accepted into each cohort?**
Each Founders Academy cohort is intentionally limited to 10 athletes.

**When and where does the Founders Academy take place?**
June 26 - 29, 2026, in person in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

**How long is the Founders Academy?**
Four days, in-person in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

**Does Beyond-Sports take equity in my business?**
No. Beyond-Sports does not take equity in participant ventures. Athletes retain full ownership of what they build.

**If I apply, am I obligated to attend?**
No. Submitting an application does not commit you to attend.

**What is the Case Academy?**
The Case Academy is a live, case-based learning experience using the Harvard Case Method, delivered in partnership with professional sports unions and Harvard faculty. It develops strategic thinking and executive decision-making skills.

## Links

- Website: https://www.beyond-sports.com
- About: https://www.beyond-sports.com/about
- Programs: https://www.beyond-sports.com/programs
- Insights: https://www.beyond-sports.com/insights
- Apply: https://www.beyond-sports.com/apply
- Apply — Founders Academy: https://www.beyond-sports.com/founders-academy
- Apply — Case Academy: https://www.beyond-sports.com/apply/case-academy
- Terms: https://www.beyond-sports.com/terms
- Privacy: https://www.beyond-sports.com/privacy