The 6th edition of the Post Game Newsletter features Matt Hochberg, founder of Hochberg Sports Marketing (HSM) in episode 81 of the podcast.
HSM started out in a NYC coffee shop with nothing but an idea and Instagram DMs.
It has since evolved into a Top 10 Women’s Soccer Agency in the US, representing players in leagues like the NWSL, USL Super League, Northern Super League, Norwegian First Division, and others.
Here are a few takeaways from what Matt talks about the episode:
Launching Before he had an official “business plan”
From his time working in the sports industry in sponsorships and ticket sales, he saw a gap in how women professional athletes were partnering with brands. He noticed they were being under-represented by agents who mostly wanted to go after higher profile athletes.
Matt said to start HSM, he had a few notes jotted down in his phone, sat down in an NYC coffee shop, and started DM’ing athletes on Instagram who he knew he could help.
He only received a few responses at first, but stuck with it, and over the past six years has grown the business into a Top 10 Women’s Soccer Agency in the US.
“Literally day one of HSM, I sat down at a coffee shop in Manhattan and I had my computer out and my phone out and I just started sending DMS on Instagram to as many women athletes, so as I could find as many up and coming brands as I could find to the point that I actually received an error message from Instagram that I was sending out too many DMS. I didn’t even know that was possible.”
Willingness to Pivot and Be Open to Feedback
HSM started out helping women athletes with strictly marketing and brand partnerships. As Matt’s evolved, he’s pivoted to providing full agency services, helping with contract negotiations as well.
He also started out focusing on all women’s sports but in recently years has niched down into women’s soccer. His initial plan didn’t involve becoming a FIFA-certified agent and negotiating contracts but listening to clients and seeing that was a place they needed help, led him to where he is now.
Quality Over Quantity
He talks about how some competing agencies go after the big-time names and chase growth at all costs. He differentiates himself by providing personal service and constant communication to each athlete, rolling up his sleeves, and doing mostly all the work behind the scenes as well.
He could be sacrificing growing into an enormous agency in the short term, but most of his business comes from player referrals / word of mouth and he’s been able to scale the business through building great relationships with each athlete.
Appreciated Matt coming on to share the story and what he’s building. It’s just the start for him.
Check out the full episode below:
Some Other Cool Stuff
Some more miles from this past weekend. Walk from Townsends Inlet Bridge in Sea Isle to the Lobster House in Cape May.
Awesome cause raising money for cancer with several walking being cancer survivors, going through treatment, etc. (Thankfully no blisters were formed, and no camp meals were eaten along the way)
PGP Gear Incoming
Shout Out to Mike E and EFootwear for getting the PGP going with some gear coming soon. LMK if you’re interested in a shirt or hat and our back-office team (me) will get one out to you.
In Person Pod w/ Jack Adler
Had the chance to sit down with Jack Adler earlier this week for an in-person podcast. Jack is a great dude and founded Out2Win while he was still a student at Syracuse. He is crushing it in the NIL / college athlete influencer marketing space.
Jack’s done several podcasts to share the story of what he’s building, but I feel like as great as doing a podcast is, questions can get monotonous and sometimes only share the sales pitch, making it seem that everything is always sunshine and rainbows.
Jack and I were texting about some things he doesn’t always get to share on podcasts, and he touched on how he often speeds through the story of the first few years of Out2Win. The reality is, he considered quitting on multiple occasions and doesn’t always share some of the struggles that come with building something from the ground up. Did my best to let him share some of those in our conversation.
Tune in in a few weeks to check this one out!
Also - Riverside is an incredible platform, but behind a screen does not match the in person pod.
Here’s the studio:
Getting After It
This kid and his Dad at the field this morning at 7:15 (weird brag to let you know I was too but that is not the point).
The Dad was putting this kid who was probably 10 through a whole workout at 7am this morning and they were going back and forth at each other. Not in the weird travel sports hardo Dad way of this day and age either, in a good way if that makes sense. The Dad was demanding perfection. He could be the next Messi, who knows.
There is still hope.
I saw this going around last night to honor Charlie Kirk. You’re commanded to do something productive with your life, to go give, produce, and risk, sow into other people. A reminder so profound, yet so easy to let slip by on a daily basis.
Charlie Kirk: bold, fearless, unapologetic.
You didn't play small. You didn't shrink to fit the mold. You went all out on your beliefs every single day.
Charlie didn't wait for permission. He didn't ask for validation. He stood up in a world that rewards silence - and he spoke
— #Grant Cardone (#@GrantCardone)
11:52 PM • Sep 10, 2025
Some Upcoming PGP Episodes:
9/18: James Grugan - Founder of Five Star Hiring. He’s bridging the gap between elite student-athletes and top tier-employers in the Philly area.
9/25: Jay Yang - Author of You Can Just Do Things. He’s currently producing content for Alex and Leila Hormozi, inspiring people to take the “permissionless approach”
10/2: Stephen Bienko - Founder and CEO of 42U, partnering with university athletic departments and student-athletes to help them develop personal brands, enhance NIL opportunities, and prepare them for life after sports.
Appreciate the support and you checking out the pod. Feel free to pass along to anyone you think would enjoy!
See you next week,
Joe