NEW YORK – October 14, 2025 – Woodland Park Capital Advisors (“Woodland ParkCapital”) is pleased to announce that it acted as exclusive financial advisor to TZP Group (“TZP”) in connection with its investment in True Lacrosse, forming True Sports Group (“True Sports” or the “Company”), a leading national youth sports platform.
Headquartered in Illinois, True Sports operates a rapidly expanding network of youth travel teams, tournaments, camps, and clinics with a primary focus on lacrosse and volleyball. Founded in 2008 by Jake Deane and Mike Gabel, the Company supports teams nationwide through a proven player development model emphasizing elite coaching, competition, and leadership.
The investment in True Sports represents TZP’s third platform in the youth sports sector over the last three years, following prior investments in Soccer Post, the largest omni-channel soccer specialty retailer in the United States, and DanceOne, the global leader in dance education and apparel. TZP exited its investment in Soccer Post in early 2025 via a management-led recapitalization following a period of significant expansion.
“We are thrilled to partner with Co-Founders Jake Deane and Mike Gabel and the broader True Sports organization to help realize the Company’s growth potential,” said Dan Gaspar, Partner at TZP Group. “We look forward to supporting the team as they continue to expand rapidly in youth sports by leveraging their proven player development model.”
“TZP’s experience building businesses and their passion for youth sports make them an ideal partner for the next stage of our journey,” said Jake Deane, Co-Founder of True Lacrosse. “We share a vision for continuing to grow True Sports organically and through complementary acquisitions while staying true to our mission of providing exceptional instruction and development for players and families nationwide.”
Woodland Park Capital Advisors, with a team led by Mike Petsky, served as exclusive financial advisor to TZP Group.
About Woodland Park Capital Advisors
Woodland Park Capital Advisors is an independent investment bank providing M&A and strategic advisory services to technology-enabled advertising, marketing, media, youth sports and business service companies. With decades of sector expertise, Woodland Park delivers senior-level execution and customized advisory solutions to entrepreneurs, private equity firms, and corporate clients.
