InPlay Global, Inc. is preparing to make waves in both the sports and financial sectors with the development of its Performance Securities platform. The company recently appointed Troy Kane as President and Chief Operating Officer, who will be pivotal in advancing this innovative market. InPlay aims to launch the first-ever marketplace for securities tied to the real-time performance of college and professional sports teams, representing a novel class of financial instruments.

This new market will allow investors to trade Performance Securities based on measurable team outcomes over an entire season. InPlay’s platform is set to challenge traditional financial markets by offering transparent, market-driven pricing, in stark contrast to betting markets. While the company still awaits regulatory approval, Kane’s leadership is seen as essential to ensure the platform meets the rigorous requirements of U.S. securities law.

What Are Performance Securities?

Performance Securities are a groundbreaking concept designed to offer financial exposure to sports teams’ real-time performance. These securities are created using publicly available performance data, giving investors the opportunity to trade based on a team’s wins, losses, and fan sentiment across an entire season. The prices of these securities fluctuate depending on two primary drivers: the actual performance of the team and the level of market participation.

Unlike fantasy sports, betting, or prediction markets, Performance Securities are regulated financial instruments. They do not represent ownership in the team and are not affiliated with any sports league, team, or governing body. InPlay’s platform is distinct in its approach to evaluating competitive performance, offering a new investment vehicle for sports fans and investors alike.

Troy Kane, who brings over two decades of experience in market operations, regulation, and derivatives, will oversee InPlay’s market operations, technology infrastructure, and regulatory strategy. Kane’s background includes significant leadership roles at MIAX and Citadel Securities, where he spearheaded market structure transformations. At InPlay Global, he will be instrumental in building the market’s operational foundation, guiding it through SEC and FINRA approval processes.

Kane’s comments highlight his enthusiasm for the platform in the company’s press release: “Performance Securities apply market discipline to something universal—competition. This is not betting, and it isn’t a synthetic stock game. It’s a regulated financial marketplace designed around transparent price formation, neutral market operations, and unified liquidity.” His expertise is expected to be pivotal in the successful launch of the platform, which is expected to begin operations in 2026.

SEC and FINRA Regulatory Approval

InPlay Global is working diligently to secure approval from both the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA). These approvals are essential for launching the Performance Securities market. InPlay Markets, the platform where the securities will be traded, will operate as an Alternative Trading System (ATS) under SEC Regulation A, Tier 2. This regulatory framework will allow InPlay to raise capital and provide transparent, regulated trading to investors.

InPlay Global has applied for the necessary exemptions under SEC Regulation A, which allows the company to raise up to $75 million annually from investors while adhering to stringent reporting requirements. InPlay is confident that its market structure and regulatory compliance will pave the way for a seamless integration into the financial world.

Vince Gennaro, Executive Director of the NYU Lab for Transformative Leadership, views InPlay’s initiative as transformative for the sports and finance industries. He believes that the introduction of Performance Securities could democratize investment in sports teams’ performance, allowing fans to become investors in a team’s success over an entire season.

InPlay Global’s plan to launch its market for securities is expected to change the way fans interact with their favorite sports teams. Rather than relying on short-term, speculative bets or fantasy games, fans and investors will be able to trade on a team’s season-long performance, much like traditional equities or commodities.

While InPlay’s innovative model has garnered attention, it has also drawn some skepticism. Critics argue that season-long trading could potentially evolve into a short-term, event-based market that resembles prediction platforms. Gaming attorney Daniel Wallach cautioned that such a market could blur the lines between regulated financial markets and sports gambling, an area that is already under intense scrutiny from regulators.

Despite these concerns, InPlay Global remains focused on its vision of creating a regulated marketplace for sports performance securities. The company aims to offer transparent price discovery, a neutral market environment, and unified liquidity, all designed to ensure fairness and stability in the marketplace.