Backed by Courtside Ventures, Bertelsmann Digital Media Investments, (BDMI), Advancit Capital, Amasia, Precursor Ventures, Switch VC, and other early-stage investors, The Athletic is a subscription-based sports media brand targeting the premium fan segment, with operations currently in Chicago, IL and Toronto, ON. The Company was a participant in Y Combinator's Summer 2016 batch, and was founded in 2016.