Mitlin Money Mindset
Building the Gen Z Sports Media Empire with Justin Leusner
Key Takeaways
- How his early obsession with content creation laid the foundation for TDAY Sports and his media production company
- The transition from solo creator to CEO of a 30-person team, and how delegation has fueled sustained growth
- Why ESPN’s traditional model isn’t working for Gen Z, and how TDAY Sports fills that gap with relatable, engaging content
- His insights into identifying ideal clients and why focusing on sports brands is a better long-term fit than professional services
- Strategic lessons from brand partnerships, especially with Gatorade, and how organic content can outperform paid promotion
Meet the Guest
Justin Leusner
Justin Leusner is a 22-year-old follower of Jesus, entrepreneur, content creator, YouTube strategist, stadium reviewer, and student at Penn State University.
He began creating content at the age of 10 and has since published over 2,000 videos across social media platforms. Today, Justin leads TDAY Sports, a Gen Z-focused media brand that reaches hundreds of millions of sports fans monthly. Alongside a team of 30, he produces daily content for millions of viewers and is building what many are calling “Gen Z’s ESPN,” having amassed over 700 million views in just two years.
That rapid growth sparked interest from others seeking help with their own social media presence, leading to the creation of TDAY Production. This ROI-driven creative agency offers video production, editing, social media strategy, and graphic design services, helping brands and businesses reach millions of organic viewers through impactful content.
Justin’s work has been featured by ABC, FOX, CBS, Penn State’s official Instagram, Happy Valley Industry, Centre Daily Times, and The Penn Stater Magazine. He’s also taken the stage at major industry events including CreatorFest Orlando, UCLA Discovery Conference, Youth Marketing Strategy (London and NYC), Penn State Startup Week, and the Yuletide Summit in Philadelphia.
He has worked with prominent partners such as Gatorade Fast Twitch, Amazon Prime Video, lululemon, Charlotte Hornets, Yerbaê, EA Sports, Basketball Forever, Athletiverse, Snapback Sports, and Happy Valley United.
In addition to leading TDAY Sports and TDAY Production, Justin also founded Penn State REACH, one of the largest chapters of the only national social media organization.
Show Notes
From YouTube videos on a borrowed iPad to leading a company with 170 million monthly views, Justin Leusner is redefining sports media on his own terms.
In this episode of Mitlin Money Mindset®, Larry Sprung welcomes Justin Leusner, the founder and CEO of TDAY Sports, to share his entrepreneurial journey. Justin explains how his passion for content creation evolved into a thriving media company that speaks directly to Gen Z. He highlights lessons learned from burnout, the importance of delegation, and how staying true to your mission builds long-term success.
Resources
Learn more about Larry Sprung's book, "Financial Planning Made Personal."
The JOY and Productivity Journal by Lawrence Sprung
JOYful Finances for Couples
About the Podcast
Welcome to Mitlin Money Mindset®️! With your host, Larry Sprung, CFP®️, Founder and Wealth Advisor at Mitlin Financial Inc®️. With over 20 years of experience as an entrepreneur in the financial services industry, Larry thrives to help you achieve your goals while finding JOY in the journey.
Each week, he’ll go deep with engaging guests who provide tangible takeaways and a whole lot of JOY along the way. Here, we don’t just talk about money; we celebrate it as a catalyst for JOY and possibility. Whether you’re saving for the future, planning your next big adventure, or just looking to add some spark to your daily money management, you’re in the right place.
We hope you enJOY these conversations as much as Larry enJOYed having them. And remember to ask yourself, what did you do today that brought you joy?®️