Latest news with #CrackedRacquets
USA Today
11-08-2025
- Business
- USA Today
Racquets Rising: Cracked Media Ventures on the New Age of Tennis, Technology, and Storytelling
The world's eyes turn toward the bright lights of Flushing Meadows for the 2025 US Open Tennis Championships. As the event serves as a global stage for elite athletes, attention also shifts to the evolution of the sport. Tennis is surging into a new chapter, driven by fresh talent, record-breaking participation, and innovation in how the sport is presented and consumed. Amid this transformation, Cracked Media Ventures' flagship tennis brand, Cracked Racquets, has emerged as a central platform. In recent years, tennis has seen the retirement of several legendary figures, prompting questions about the next chapter of the sport. Yet, what many expected to be a period of decline has ushered in remarkable growth. Viewership remains strong, and tennis fandom is thriving. A new generation of players, dynamic and diverse, has stepped into the spotlight with force and flair. These rising stars are reenergizing the sport with their charisma, style, and global appeal, drawing younger, more digital-native audiences into the space. 'Tennis isn't fading. It's flourishing, and the new personalities are leading a rebrand that resonates across continents and age groups,' says Cracked Media Ventures co-founder and CEO Dalton Thieneman. This renewed momentum is evident beyond the stadium seats. In the United States, tennis participation has reached an all-time high. As of 2025, a staggering 25.7 million Americans play the sport, marking five straight years of growth. One in every 12 Americans now picks up a racquet, with a notable surge among those under 25. These younger players contributed nearly half of the total participation gains last year, highlighting tennis's cultural relevance and long-term staying power. Behind this growth is how the stories are told, and this is where Cracked Media Ventures is helping redefine the landscape. The company has tapped into the pulse of the modern fan by recognizing that today's audiences demand more than just match results. They crave narrative, depth, and connection. Cracked Media Ventures delivers just that. It focuses on athletes long before they grace center court at the majors. By spotlighting junior and collegiate players, the platform acts as a runway where talent is introduced, contextualized, and followed closely through the journey to the pros. This narrative expansion is powered by Cracked Media Ventures' CrossCourt Cast, the company's proprietary technology. This remote broadcast software was developed to democratize tennis coverage. Traditionally, covering smaller tournaments has required full production teams, trucks, and significant overhead. 'CrossCourt Cast upends that model with fixed and mobile streaming cameras, AI-integrated tools, live scoring, real-time commentary, and instant replays,' says Thieneman. 'Everything is delivered through an affordable, scalable solution. For clubs, schools, leagues, and federations, it's access, equity, and exposure all rolled into one.' Cracked Media Ventures multi-channel content strategy spans audio, video, and social platforms, allowing fans to engage with tennis wherever and however they prefer. Through daily podcasts, in-depth interviews, historical storytelling, and digital series, the platform provides context that complements live coverage. Whether through headphones, screens, or courtside activations, Cracked Media Ventures meets fans at every touchpoint. This multidimensional approach is especially impactful as tennis finds itself in the company of a rapidly growing family of racquet sports. Pickleball and padel, once niche activities, are now global phenomena. Padel, in particular, is considered one of the fastest-growing sports, with over 25 million active players in 110 countries. The explosion in recreational racquet sport participation echoes what's happening in tennis. 'People aren't just watching. They're playing. And once they pick up one kind of racquet, they're trying others,' Thieneman states. Cracked Media Ventures has identified this shift early and is already expanding coverage into these emerging arenas with Cracked Paddles. By capturing recreational championships, club competitions, and collegiate-level play in these adjacent sports, the company is positioning itself to lead the conversation as racquet sports continue their ascent. As tennis enters a new era, with the US Open as its annual exclamation point, the sport stands at the crossroads of tradition and transformation. The legacy players who once defined the game have passed the torch, but the fire burns brighter than ever. Cracked Media Ventures has embraced that momentum by adapting to change and even helping drive it.
Int'l Business Times
12-06-2025
- Business
- Int'l Business Times
The Founding Story of Cracked Racquets from Courtside Conversations to a Media Powerhouse
When sharp minds unite with a shared vision and an itch to shake up the status quo, they can carve out a space where there previously was none. That's what unfolded when three driven individuals, Dalton Thieneman (CEO), Daniel Westhoff (CTO), and Alex Gruskin (CCO), combined their talents to establish Cracked Racquets. The visionaries believed that something vital was missing in how tennis stories, especially those outside of the mainstream spotlight, were told. Cracked Racquets was born out of the founders' realization that there was no serious media coverage for emerging athletes, especially in the junior and collegiate tennis spaces. Traditional outlets focused on already-established legends. Meanwhile, rising stars competing at prominent events remained in the shadows. Thieneman, a lifelong sports fan from a tennis-focused family, spotted the gap while still in law school. "Knowing this struck a nerve," he shares. "Next generation tennis talents were doing remarkable things. Instead of simply competing for Junior Grand Slam titles, they were winning them! Yet, their stories went untold." Cracked Racquets Cracked Racquets stepped in to bridge that gap, combining journalistic creativity with a tech-forward approach to distribution. The company delivers comprehensive multimedia coverage of college and professional tennis, focusing on the nuance, context, and human stories that others miss. The venture leans on four key pillars of live broadcasts, podcasts, events, and merchandise to deliver a full-circle media experience that elevates the voices of athletes from often-neglected communities. Thieneman brings legal and business acumen to the table. Before founding Cracked Racquets, he was in public affairs and legal consulting, advocating before state governments and regulatory bodies while completing his law degree. He began the company at just 25 years old, balancing coursework with his early forays into entrepreneurship. Still, it's worth noting that Thieneman's upbringing is what fueled his motivation. "If I need to describe my childhood in one word, I'd say sports. Our house lived and breathed tennis," he says. That foundation gave Thieneman the knowledge and the emotional investment to recognize just how underserved young players were in the broader media landscape. Thieneman wears multiple hats: chief executive, legal strategist, marketing lead, and business operator. However, he hasn't done it alone. His longtime friend and high school tennis partner, Daniel Westhoff, has been an integral part of the journey from day one. Westhoff, an aerospace engineer by training, was designing private jets before Thieneman convinced him to go all in on the venture. He now leads all technological and production aspects of the company. Whether podcast editing, video production, or designing internal systems, Westhoff's fingerprints are on every piece of Cracked Racquets's technical infrastructure. Cracked Racquets Founders – Daniel Westhoff, Alex Gruskin, Dalton Thieneman Alex Gruskin is the final member of this three-headed machine. His path to the company was unconventional but fittingly on-brand for a venture built on passion. A former political staffer with a photographic memory and a gift for communication, Gruskin cold-DM'd Dalton on social media just two months into the company's existence. "He praised our vision but pointed out all the wrong ways we're doing our podcasting. We weren't offended. We were actually intrigued. One phone call later, which ran so long I had to skip my law school class, I handed over the full podcasting and content operations to Alex," Thieneman recalls. "I truly believe Alex was born to cover tennis. He will be calling Grand Slams one day soon!" Gruskin has since become the face of the company's content. He hosts multiple flagship podcasts and commands a massive following among fans. His ability to fuse humor with deep analysis makes him a magnetic presence and a vital part of Cracked's storytelling voice. As the CCO, he crafts the editorial identity of the brand, curating narratives that are intelligent, irreverent, and always resonant. 2020 Cracked Racquets Open – June 2020 (Daniel Westhoff, Dalton Thieneman, Hannah Thieneman, Alex Gruskin, Parker Thieneman) The path to growing Cracked Racquets wasn't without turbulence, however. The company nearly collapsed during the pandemic, as the global sports calendar came to a screeching halt. With college and pro tours suspended, revenue dried up. Desperate to survive, the team packed into a car and drove more than 20 hours from Indianapolis to Miami to cover a single tennis event that would help keep the company afloat. During that stretch, they pivoted to hosting junior tennis tournaments. "Those months of managing events, driving relentlessly, and stretching our resources weren't glamorous," Thieneman admits. "But we kept the dream alive. It was bootstrapping in its rawest form. And it worked." Today, Cracked Racquets is respected in the sport and beloved by its community. It elevates rising talent while giving fans an immersive, multidimensional view into the world of tennis and beyond. The Cracked team is far from done. They're expanding Cracked Media Ventures's reach into new sports, applying the same lens of underserved excellence to other athletic communities. Their goal is to scale both their content and technology platforms in ways that keep grassroots athletes and emerging stars at the center.
Associated Press
06-06-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
Cracked Media Ventures Announces Strategic Expansion into Emerging Sports Markets
06/05/2025, Carmel, Indiana // PRODIGY: Feature Story // Cracked Media Ventures Cracked Media Ventures, a premier remote sports broadcasting and digital media innovation company, has announced its expansion into new sports verticals beyond its tennis roots. Formerly known for its flagship brand, Cracked Racquets, it's now leveraging its proven media infrastructure, robust streaming technology, and highly engaged digital audience to serve growing demand in sports such as pickleball, paddle, and volleyball. 'Our mission has always been to bridge the gap between elite-level sports and the audiences who crave more coverage, insight, and access,' says Dalton Thieneman, Co-Founder and CEO of Cracked Media Ventures. 'We've built a model that has proven successful in tennis, and we see the same untapped potential in other sports. We're excited to bring our content-driven, tech-forward approach to these fast-growing communities.' This expansion is Cracked Media Ventures' response to the growing interest in non-mainstream and Olympic-adjacent sports. It was realized that coverage remains fragmented and nonexistent. Hence, it aims to deploy Cracked Racquets' services into each of these sports using the same scalable infrastructure and storytelling strategy that has solidified its name in the tennis space. Cracked Racquets Cracked Racquets has been widely regarded for improving how tennis content is created, consumed, and distributed. Built on four pillars, it has become a go-to platform for comprehensive college and junior tennis coverage. Its broadcast division has delivered live streaming across NCAA Division I, II, and III championships. Moreover, Cracked Racquets regularly collaborates with leading networks, athletic conferences, and national governing bodies. These include ESPN+, the Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA), the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC), the Big 12 Conference (Big 12), and the Southeastern Conference (SEC). With its programming distributed either through premier sports streaming platforms or on YouTube, the brand has earned a reputation for providing professional-grade production. The company's proprietary broadcast tool, known as CrossCourt Cast, is capable of covering multiple matches simultaneously. The software enables facilities and leagues to self-produce matches using AI-integrated, app-connected cameras. Schools, conferences, and event operators benefit from a turnkey broadcast solution that includes real-time commentary, multi-angle switching, and instant replay. All of these are designed to deliver top-notch viewer experiences while staying budget-conscious. In addition to its broadcasting innovations, Cracked Racquets boasts a robust audio media network. It has our critically recognized podcasts: The Mini-Break, Cracked Interviews, Great Shot Podcast, and Inside-Out. They collectively deliver depth in tennis storytelling and analysis. Each series combines expert insights and narrative-driven content, cultivating a dynamic and informed tennis community. These shows have earned multiple industry accolades and serve a loyal, growing listener base that spans fans, athletes, coaches, and insiders. Fans voted The Mini-Break as a finalist for the 2025 Best Tennis and Racket Podcast by The Sports Podcast Group. In addition, Cracked Interviews was named one of the Best 80 Tennis Podcasts and Best 100 NCAA Podcasts by Million Podcasts. Besides digital content, the company supports grassroots engagement through live event activations and branded merchandise. From emceeing professional events to energizing collegiate competitions with music and crowd interaction, the Cracked team offers end-to-end event production services that bring flair and energy to courtside experiences. Its apparel line, known for sleek, performance-ready designs featuring the 'Cracked' insignia, allows fans and athletes to wear the brand across all levels of play. With this expansion, Cracked Media Ventures seeks to replicate this successful multi-platform model in sports that, like tennis, possess passionate player bases but lack sustained media visibility. Its future-facing approach revolving around accessibility, community, and tech-driven production positions the company at the forefront of modern sports coverage. Media Contact Name: Dalton Thieneman Email: [email protected] Source published by Submit Press Release >> Cracked Media Ventures Announces Strategic Expansion into Emerging Sports Markets
Yahoo
06-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Cracked Media Ventures Announces Strategic Expansion into Emerging Sports Markets
Cracked Media Ventures announces its expansion beyond tennis, bringing its acclaimed broadcast and media model to emerging racquet and net sports. Carmel, Indiana, June 05, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Cracked Media Ventures Cracked Media Ventures, a premier remote sports broadcasting and digital media innovation company, has announced its expansion into new sports verticals beyond its tennis roots. Formerly known for its flagship brand, Cracked Racquets, it's now leveraging its proven media infrastructure, robust streaming technology, and highly engaged digital audience to serve growing demand in sports such as pickleball, paddle, and volleyball. 'Our mission has always been to bridge the gap between elite-level sports and the audiences who crave more coverage, insight, and access,' says Dalton Thieneman, Co-Founder and CEO of Cracked Media Ventures. 'We've built a model that has proven successful in tennis, and we see the same untapped potential in other sports. We're excited to bring our content-driven, tech-forward approach to these fast-growing communities.' This expansion is Cracked Media Ventures' response to the growing interest in non-mainstream and Olympic-adjacent sports. It was realized that coverage remains fragmented and nonexistent. Hence, it aims to deploy Cracked Racquets' services into each of these sports using the same scalable infrastructure and storytelling strategy that has solidified its name in the tennis space. Cracked Racquets Cracked Racquets has been widely regarded for improving how tennis content is created, consumed, and distributed. Built on four pillars, it has become a go-to platform for comprehensive college and junior tennis coverage. Its broadcast division has delivered live streaming across NCAA Division I, II, and III championships. Moreover, Cracked Racquets regularly collaborates with leading networks, athletic conferences, and national governing bodies. These include ESPN+, the Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA), the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC), the Big 12 Conference (Big 12), and the Southeastern Conference (SEC). With its programming distributed either through premier sports streaming platforms or on YouTube, the brand has earned a reputation for providing professional-grade production. The company's proprietary broadcast tool, known as CrossCourt Cast, is capable of covering multiple matches simultaneously. The software enables facilities and leagues to self-produce matches using AI-integrated, app-connected cameras. Schools, conferences, and event operators benefit from a turnkey broadcast solution that includes real-time commentary, multi-angle switching, and instant replay. All of these are designed to deliver top-notch viewer experiences while staying budget-conscious. In addition to its broadcasting innovations, Cracked Racquets boasts a robust audio media network. It has our critically recognized podcasts: The Mini-Break, Cracked Interviews, Great Shot Podcast, and Inside-Out. They collectively deliver depth in tennis storytelling and analysis. Each series combines expert insights and narrative-driven content, cultivating a dynamic and informed tennis community. These shows have earned multiple industry accolades and serve a loyal, growing listener base that spans fans, athletes, coaches, and insiders. Fans voted The Mini-Break as a finalist for the 2025 Best Tennis and Racket Podcast by The Sports Podcast Group. In addition, Cracked Interviews was named one of the Best 80 Tennis Podcasts and Best 100 NCAA Podcasts by Million Podcasts. Besides digital content, the company supports grassroots engagement through live event activations and branded merchandise. From emceeing professional events to energizing collegiate competitions with music and crowd interaction, the Cracked team offers end-to-end event production services that bring flair and energy to courtside experiences. Its apparel line, known for sleek, performance-ready designs featuring the 'Cracked' insignia, allows fans and athletes to wear the brand across all levels of play. With this expansion, Cracked Media Ventures seeks to replicate this successful multi-platform model in sports that, like tennis, possess passionate player bases but lack sustained media visibility. Its future-facing approach revolving around accessibility, community, and tech-driven production positions the company at the forefront of modern sports coverage. Media Contact Name: Dalton Thieneman Email: dalton@ Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
