InPlay Global has announced its intention to create a first-of-its-kind marketplace where investors can trade financial instruments linked to the real-time performance of sports teams. The company, founded by Edwin Johnson, is seeking regulatory approval from the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) to launch its Alternative Trading System, InPlay Markets.
This proposed marketplace introduces a new financial concept: Performance Securities regulated assets tied to the competitive performance of college and professional teams. Unlike traditional sports betting or prediction markets, InPlay’s structure is built around financial transparency, market discipline, and regulatory compliance, aligning it more closely with securities trading than gambling.
To lead this ambitious initiative, InPlay appointed Troy Kane as President and COO, who will oversee market operations, regulatory strategy, and technology development. According to Kane, this innovation applies market discipline to competition itself, representing a breakthrough in quantifying the financial aspects of sports.
Supporters, such as Vince Gennaro of NYU’s Lab for Transformative Leadership, call the concept “game-changing,” noting its potential to democratize investment in team performance across entire seasons. However, critics like Daniel Wallach, a prominent gaming attorney, warn that such developments could pave the way for expanded betting-style products under federal oversight.
If approved, InPlay’s initiative could mark the beginning of a new asset class, transforming how fans, investors, and institutions engage with sports performance.
