Why we exist
The big incumbents — names you’ve probably already heard — ask families to pay $1,500 to $3,000 just for the privilege of being visible to college coaches. The pitch is dressed up, but that’s what it is.
Families pay. Coaches drown in unfiltered profiles. Most athletes never get discovered anyway. And every year a fresh batch of parents repeat the same expensive lesson.
We thought the model was backwards. Athletes shouldn’t pay to be visible. Coaches shouldn’t wade through noise. And the platform shouldn’t profit by gatekeeping the basic act of being seen.
AthleteScout is the version we’d build for our own kids. Free roadmap. Verified evaluations. World-class athletes personally backing the platform. Honest about what we can and can’t do.
How we operate
We never promise scholarships, roster spots, or specific outcomes. We give families the real map — every program, every division, every realistic path — and the tools to navigate it.
The roadmap is free, forever. Families don't pay $3,000 to be visible like other recruiting platforms charge. We make money by being genuinely useful — through gear recommendations and optional services — not by gatekeeping access.
When AthleteScout verifies an athlete, it's because a real, world-class athlete partner stands behind that evaluation. Not an algorithm. Not a checkbox. A name and a reputation.
We follow the rules — NCAA compliance, FIFA Article 19 for minors, FTC affiliate disclosure, GDPR and parental consent. The boring stuff that protects families. We won't cut corners to grow faster.
Co-founders
AthleteScout was co-founded in 2026 by Rod Abbondanza and Emerson da Rosa — 50/50 partners, equally invested in the long-term mission.
Co-founder · Product & Engineering
Brazilian-American solo founder and product builder based in Florida. Spent two decades shipping consumer and commerce products. Brings the architecture, the engineering, and the ethical guardrails — including the “no false promises” rule baked into every surface of AthleteScout.
Co-founder · Soccer athlete partner
Called up to three FIFA World Cups. Former captain of Brazil. Spent his career at the very top of world soccer and now wants to give back. On AthleteScout, Emerson is both a co-founder and our first athlete partner — personally backing soccer evaluations and opening doors families couldn’t open alone.
The roster
Soccer has Emerson. Our roadmap is to bring on one accomplished athlete partner for each of the 24 NCAA championship sports — so every family who lands on AthleteScout sees their sport backed by someone who’s lived it at the highest level.
We’re recruiting these partners thoughtfully. Each one needs to be the right fit — not just famous, but aligned with the honest, help-first mission. If you’re a former elite athlete (or know one) who’d be a fit for this roster, we’d love to talk.
Each Founding Partner earns 50% commission for 12 months on every athlete they refer. We’ll never offer this tier again. Their names and photos live here, permanently.
30 spots. Reserved for coaches Emerson personally introduces, or those who apply during the early launch window. Once filled, this tier is permanently closed. Apply →
