The Nick Palazzo story
Nick Palazzo is a sports technology entrepreneur, former Harvard running back, and founder whose work has connected athletes, media, technology, and performance. His story begins in Mayfield, Ohio, where Catholic faith, family, CYO sports, and football established the values that would shape his life: preparation, resilience, service, and belief.
He is best known for founding STACK while he was a student-athlete at Harvard University and for later establishing NP Ventures, Play Caller Sports, and 2x2 Sports. Across those ventures, Palazzo has focused on building platforms for athletes and working with founders across sports, technology, media, entertainment, and gaming.
Mayfield roots and an uncommon football career
At Mayfield High School, Palazzo became a three-time All-Ohio running back, a three-time First Team All-Conference and All-Northeast Ohio selection, and a First Team All-State honoree as a senior. He was also an Ohio Mr. Football candidate. Across three seasons as a starter, he produced approximately 5,000 all-purpose yards and 60 touchdowns.
In 1998, he helped lead Mayfield to the Ohio state semifinals for the first time since 1984. He was also a Western Reserve Conference champion and conference MVP. The achievements made him one of Ohio's decorated high school running backs, but his next step was shaped by more than statistics.
Harvard, number 22, and the undefeated 2001 team
Palazzo considered Harvard, Yale, and Princeton before choosing Harvard. He was drawn to the opportunity to compete in The Game, college football's historic Harvard–Yale rivalry, and to the connection he felt with Harvard's coaches and players during recruiting.
Wearing number 22, Palazzo became one of Harvard football's leading rushers and scorers. Over three seasons, he recorded more than 2,500 all-purpose yards, approximately 30 touchdowns, and 5.7 yards per carry. He helped Harvard complete an undefeated 2001 season and win the Ivy League championship—the program's first perfect season since 1913.
That championship run included a historic comeback against Dartmouth and the late-season meeting with unbeaten Penn remembered as the “Game of the Century.” Palazzo was nominated for the William V. Campbell Trophy, widely known as the “Academic Heisman,” recognizing the combination of football performance, academics, and leadership.
Founding STACK at Harvard
While still a Harvard student-athlete, Palazzo founded STACK around a defining principle: “For the Athlete, By the Athlete.” The idea grew into a global athletic training content platform spanning STACK Magazine, STACK.com, original video, social media, events, and performance businesses. Its content helped athletes engage with training, nutrition, skills, and gear through the experiences of elite performers.
LeBron James was the first athlete featured. STACK later worked with more than 1,500 professional athletes, including Michael Jordan, Derek Jeter, Peyton Manning, Kevin Durant, Drew Brees, Serena Williams, Alex Morgan, Cam Newton, Abby Wambach, and Dwyane Wade. Brand partners included Nike, Gatorade, Reebok, New Balance, Under Armour, and Foot Locker.
From one athlete-first idea to a national platform.
STACK Magazine reached approximately 12,000 high schools and a reported readership of more than five million student-athletes.
Explore STACKNP Ventures and the next generation of companies
In 2020, Palazzo founded NP Ventures, an operating company that builds ventures and partners with emerging founders. Its work spans sports, technology, media, entertainment, and gaming while carrying forward the founder-led, athlete-centered approach established through STACK.
Play Caller Sports is described by the official sources as a social, in-game micro-fantasy sports platform built on Chiliz Chain. 2x2 Sports creates faith-based sports opportunities for female athletes, including programs focused on health, fitness, development, and scholarships.
Leadership, recognition, and public voice
Palazzo's entrepreneurial work has been recognized by The New York Times, Forbes, Adweek, the Today show, Sports Business Journal, Mediaweek, MIN, and Folio. He has appeared as a keynote speaker and panelist on sports, technology, entrepreneurship, athlete media, and digital business. He was named to the Folio:40 and featured in the book Upstarts! How GenY Entrepreneurs are Rocking the World of Business.
His writing and public commentary extend across NIL, college sports, private investment in sports, digital content, fantasy sports, youth athletics, and the responsibilities surrounding athlete development.
Faith, family, and purpose
Nick Palazzo is a devout Roman Catholic and a proud father of four daughters. At Harvard, he participated in the Harvard Catholic Student Society. His favorite verse is Romans 10:9: “Jesus is Lord.”
Faith is not a separate chapter from football or business in Palazzo's story. It is the foundation through which he describes family, leadership, perseverance, service, and the responsibility to help athletes recognize and develop their God-given potential.
Frequently asked questions
Who is Nick Palazzo?
Nick Palazzo is a sports technology entrepreneur, Harvard University alumnus, former running back on Harvard's undefeated 2001 Ivy League championship team, three-time All-Ohio running back, and founder of STACK, NP Ventures, Play Caller Sports, and 2x2 Sports.
What is Nick Palazzo known for?
He is best known for founding STACK while at Harvard and building it into an athlete-first training media platform that reached millions of athletes, approximately 12,000 high schools, more than 1,500 professional athletes, and leading performance brands.
What companies did Nick Palazzo found?
Nick Palazzo founded STACK, NP Ventures, Play Caller Sports, and 2x2 Sports.
Where did Nick Palazzo play football?
He played running back at Mayfield High School in Ohio and Harvard University. At Harvard, he helped the 2001 team complete the program's first perfect season since 1913.
What is Nick Palazzo doing now?
He leads NP Ventures and continues building and partnering across sports, technology, media, entertainment, gaming, fantasy sports, and athlete development.
What role does faith play in Nick Palazzo's life?
Palazzo identifies as a devout Roman Catholic. His favorite verse is Romans 10:9, “Jesus is Lord,” and his official biographies describe faith as central to his family life, leadership, and service.