Forging
the Future
of sports & entertainment
What We Do
EVENT CREATION
Design and execute unforgettable sports events that captivate audiences, from local tournaments to major international competitions.
Fan Engagement
Elevate the fan experience with innovative engagement strategies that foster a deeper connection between fans and sports teams, enhancing loyalty and participation.
FAN TRAVEL
Provide exceptional travel packages for fans, including tickets, transportation, and accommodation, for unparalleled experiences.
INDOOR SPORTS FACILITIES AND PROGRAMMING
Build and operate indoor sports facilities that offer year-round programming for soccer, catering to athletes of all levels.
PARTNERSHIP + BRAND CONSULTING
Maximize brand potential through strategic partnerships, naming rights, and sponsorship. Provide expert consulting services that help businesses and properties connect efficiently.
REAL ESTATE DEVELOPMENT
Develop premier sports and entertainment facilities, contributing to urban revitalization and creating vibrant community spaces.
SPORTS BUSINESS OPERATIONS
Offer comprehensive management services that streamline operations, enhance efficiency, and boost profitability for sports organizations.
SPORTS FACILITY OPERATIONS
Manage and operate state-of-the-art sports facilities, ensuring top-tier service and optimal performance for events and daily activities.
SPORTS FRANCHISE INVESTMENTS
Invest in sports franchises, supporting their growth and success with strategic financial backing and business acumen.
TECHNOLOGY AND INNOVATION
Drive advancements in the sports industry by investing and incubating cutting-edge technology startups that enhance performance, fan engagement, and business operations.
We take pride in our work, fueled by innovation and always asking:
“Is there a better way?”
At Lion Ventures, our process is defined by a relentless commitment to bringing a world class effort to every project and truly enjoying the work that we do.
Our boutique expertise allows us to craft tailor-made solutions that transcend conventional boundaries and pave the path for a distinctive future engaging fans, consumers and communities for maximum impact.
Discover the Lion Ventures story, our mission and our passionate team dedicated to creating unmatched experiences and opportunities in the dynamic world of sports and entertainment.
Our Team
Jeff Berding
President and Co-CEO | FC Cincinnati
President | FCC Enterprise
Jeff Berding is President of FCC Enterprise, and President and Co-CEO of FC Cincinnati, the professional soccer team he co-founded in the summer of 2015. With its arrival in Major League Soccer (MLS) for the 2019 season – less than four years after its founding – FC Cincinnati has become the benchmark for organic growth and community-driven sports interest.
Now heading into its sixth year in MLS, as 2023 Supporters’ Shield winners, the club is continuing to grow its fan base and impact in the Greater Cincinnati region in its world-class, privately funded $250 million TQL Stadium. In addition, in 2022, FC Cincinnati announced the development of a mixed-use district adjacent to TQL Stadium; a destination to welcome and include all, enhancing the vibrancy of the historic West End neighborhood.
Prior to his August 2015 founding of FC Cincinnati, Berding served for more than 19 years as an executive with the Cincinnati Bengals where he led sales and public affairs efforts for the city’s NFL franchise.
The hugely successful launch of FC Cincinnati was consistent with Berding’s track record of working to make his hometown a better place to live, work and raise a family.
Berding has a long history of leadership in his community, including roles as President of the FCC Foundation; Chairman of Visit Cincy; Co-Chair of the Cincinnati Regional Business Committee; to serving on the Board of Trustees for the Cincinnati Art Museum and St. Xavier High School; to volunteering with the Chamber of Commerce for 20+ years; and dedicated service to Cincinnati City Council.
He has been the recipient of numerous civic awards, including a spot among the top 100 leaders in history of the local United Way; the 2006 “40 Under 40” from the Cincinnati Business Courier; featured at the 2018 Hispanic Chamber Cincinnati USA’s Annual Gala; and awarded the 2019 EY Entrepreneur of the Year.
Berding is a fifth-generation Cincinnatian, born and raised in Westwood where he attended St. Xavier High School. He graduated cum laude from Miami University and earned his master’s in business administration with honors from Xavier in 1999. Berding has three children, Allie, Jack and Grace. With his wife Lindsay, the family resides in the city’s Mt. Lookout neighborhood.
Chad Munitz
Chief Development Officer
Chad Munitz joined FC Cincinnati in May 2022 as Chief Development Officer with oversight of the club’s Real Estate growth ambitions including the creation of a large-scale mixed-use district adjacent to TQL Stadium, as well as Lion Ventures – the club’s business development arm – which includes all non-MLS soccer revenue initiatives. Prior to FC Cincinnati, Chad held leadership roles in Real Estate and Economic Development with Towne Properties, the Cincinnati Center City Development Corporation (3CDC), the City of Cincinnati and the Ohio Department of Development (ODOD). He has directed over $800 million in development and led transformative projects like Fountain Square and Washington Park, playing a key role in the revitalization of Cincinnati’s downtown urban core.
Chad graduated from The Ohio State University with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, Information Systems. He is a native of New Philadelphia, Ohio and resides in the City of Cincinnati neighborhood of Northside with his wife and daughter.
Vince Cicero
Senior Vice President for Aligned Ventures
Prior to the launch of Aligned Ventures, Vince led the Partnerships team for FC Cincinnati (MLS), including the opening of the award-winning TQL Stadium, the finest soccer-specific stadium in the United States. Vince brings a wealth of experience across multiple sports and entertainment properties. His vast sales, marketing, broadcasting, and special events background spans 30 years and includes work with two NBA franchises (Pistons, Bucks), an NFL team (Bengals), an MLS team (FC Cincinnati), a collegiate institution (Marquette University), an international tennis event (Western & Southern Open), a multi-faceted entertainment property (Palace Sports & Entertainment) and a high-profile endurance sport (IRONMAN). He has opened two stadiums (NFL, MLS), an arena (NBA/Collegiate), led a major venue expansion (Tennis) and managed events ranging from NCAA Basketball Tournaments to an International Tennis Event.
Steven Young
Director of Lion Ventures
Steven Young joined FC Cincinnati to help start the business development arm of FCC as Director, Lion Ventures. Prior to Lion Ventures, Steven worked in corporate banking for U.S. Bank and First Financial Bank where he worked primarily on mergers and acquisitions, to a total of over $500 million in transaction volume. Steven also has a passion for the startup ecosystem and actively advises early-stage startups and was a member of the founding team for a real estate tech venture-backed startup, Nector. He is originally from South Carolina where he attended the University of South Carolina.
Our Team
Jeff Berding
President | FCC Enterprise
Jeff Berding is President of FCC Enterprise, and President and Co-CEO of FC Cincinnati, the professional soccer team he co-founded in the summer of 2015. With its arrival in Major League Soccer (MLS) for the 2019 season – less than four years after its founding – FC Cincinnati has become the benchmark for organic growth and community-driven sports interest.
Now heading into its sixth year in MLS, as 2023 Supporters’ Shield winners, the club is continuing to grow its fan base and impact in the Greater Cincinnati region in its world-class, privately funded $250 million TQL Stadium. In addition, in 2022, FC Cincinnati announced the development of a mixed-use district adjacent to TQL Stadium; a destination to welcome and include all, enhancing the vibrancy of the historic West End neighborhood.
Prior to his August 2015 founding of FC Cincinnati, Berding served for more than 19 years as an executive with the Cincinnati Bengals where he led sales and public affairs efforts for the city’s NFL franchise.
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The hugely successful launch of FC Cincinnati was consistent with Berding’s track record of working to make his hometown a better place to live, work and raise a family.
Berding has a long history of leadership in his community, including roles as President of the FCC Foundation; Chairman of Visit Cincy; Co-Chair of the Cincinnati Regional Business Committee; to serving on the Board of Trustees for the Cincinnati Art Museum and St. Xavier High School; to volunteering with the Chamber of Commerce for 20+ years; and dedicated service to Cincinnati City Council.
He has been the recipient of numerous civic awards, including a spot among the top 100 leaders in history of the local United Way; the 2006 “40 Under 40” from the Cincinnati Business Courier; featured at the 2018 Hispanic Chamber Cincinnati USA’s Annual Gala; and awarded the 2019 EY Entrepreneur of the Year.
Berding is a fifth-generation Cincinnatian, born and raised in Westwood where he attended St. Xavier High School. He graduated cum laude from Miami University and earned his master’s in business administration with honors from Xavier in 1999. Berding has three children, Allie, Jack and Grace. With his wife Lindsay, the family resides in the city’s Mt. Lookout neighborhood.
Our Team
Chad Munitz
Chad Munitz joined FC Cincinnati in May 2022 as Chief Development Officer with oversight of the club’s Real Estate growth ambitions including the creation of a large-scale mixed-use district adjacent to TQL Stadium, as well as Lion Ventures – the club’s business development arm – which includes all non-MLS soccer revenue initiatives. Prior to FC Cincinnati, Chad held leadership roles in Real Estate and Economic Development with Towne Properties, the Cincinnati Center City Development Corporation (3CDC), the City of Cincinnati and the Ohio Department of Development (ODOD). He has directed over $800 million in development and led transformative projects like Fountain Square and Washington Park, playing a key role in the revitalization of Cincinnati’s downtown urban core.
Chad graduated from The Ohio State University with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, Information Systems. He is a native of New Philadelphia, Ohio and resides in the City of Cincinnati neighborhood of Northside with his wife and daughter.
Our Team
Vince Cicero
Prior to the launch of Aligned Ventures, Vince led the Partnerships team for FC Cincinnati (MLS), including the opening of the award-winning TQL Stadium, the finest soccer-specific stadium in the United States. Vince brings a wealth of experience across multiple sports and entertainment properties. His vast sales, marketing, broadcasting, and special events background spans 30 years and includes work with two NBA franchises (Pistons, Bucks), an NFL team (Bengals), an MLS team (FC Cincinnati), a collegiate institution (Marquette University), an international tennis event (Western & Southern Open), a multi-faceted entertainment property (Palace Sports & Entertainment) and a high-profile endurance sport (IRONMAN). He has opened two stadiums (NFL, MLS), an arena (NBA/Collegiate), led a major venue expansion (Tennis) and managed events ranging from NCAA Basketball Tournaments to an International Tennis Event.
Our Team
Steven Young
Steven Young joined FC Cincinnati to help start the business development arm of FCC as Director, Lion Ventures. Prior to Lion Ventures, Steven worked in corporate banking for U.S. Bank and First Financial Bank where he worked primarily on mergers and acquisitions, to a total of over $500 million in transaction volume. Steven also has a passion for the startup ecosystem and actively advises early-stage startups and was a member of the founding team for a real estate tech venture-backed startup, Nector. He is originally from South Carolina where he attended the University of South Carolina.
Partners
01
Establishing a Sports Tech Lab with Cintrifuse
Client
Industry
Services Provided
Challenge:
Approach:
- Program Development: Created a curriculum that included mentorship from industry leaders, access to sports organizations for pilot programs, and strategic business support.
- Recruitment and Selection: Implemented a rigorous selection process to identify and recruit promising sports tech startups with the potential for significant impact and growth.
- Ongoing Support and Networking: Provided ongoing support to incubated startups, including access to investors, sports industry networks, and potential customers.
Results:
01
West End Mixed Use Project
Industry
Project Value
Location
Challenge:
Approach:
- Community Engagement: Engaged with local stakeholders through multiple forums to gather input and align the project with community needs.
- Sustainable Design: Incorporating sustainable building practices and green spaces to ensure environmental responsibility.
- Mixed-Use Planning: Designed the development to include residential, retail, office, and entertainment spaces, creating a 24/7 live-work-play environment.
- Strategic Partnerships: Forming partnerships with local businesses and national chains to secure a diverse tenant mix that enhances visitor experience and economic impact.
Results:
03
Securing Naming Rights for Sharonville Convention Center
Client
Industry
Services Provided
Challenge:
Approach:
Lion Ventures deployed a multi-phased approach:
- Market Analysis: Conducted a comprehensive analysis to understand the market dynamics and potential partners’ brand values.
- Valuation: Assessed the value of the naming rights based on factors such as visibility, engagement opportunities, and market trends.
- Strategic Outreach: Developed and implemented a targeted outreach strategy to engage potential partners.
- Negotiation Support: Provided expert negotiation support to ensure terms that met both financial objectives and partnership synergies.
Results:
Contact Us
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