What started as a simple idea between friends has evolved into a media company with a growing footprint across sports, culture, and entertainment. To mark the milestone, CEO Kurt Benson sat down with COO Hong Lau for a candid conversation about the company’s journey. A friendly sports bet and an early vision for a local basketball event evolved into producing content with some of the biggest names in sports and entertainment.
The conversation offers a look back at the moments that shaped Tidal League’s path. It revisits the company’s earliest days, when the original business model stalled and the team had to rethink what came next. That pivot led to the launch of Tidal League’s first podcast, a move that would ultimately help define the company’s voice and open the door to new opportunities.
Like many companies built from the ground up, Tidal League’s growth was not linear. The pandemic brought uncertainty, forced adaptation, and tested the team’s ability to keep moving forward without a clear roadmap. But it also became a turning point. New ideas were explored, relationships deepened, and the company continued to find ways to create value even in a difficult environment.
Kurt and Hong also reflect on the importance of the people behind the scenes such as the teammates, collaborators, and supporters who helped carry the company through each stage of growth. Their conversation highlights the sacrifices required to keep building, the risks that came with betting on new ideas, and the moments that proved Tidal League could compete on a much larger stage.
From early podcast experiments to viral breakthroughs and major industry relationships, the story of Tidal League has been shaped by resilience, creativity, and a willingness to keep pushing forward. Eight years in, that mindset remains at the center of the company’s identity.
The mission is still the same: create meaningful content, storytell, and continue building the most influential athlete-led community of creators.
