Ryan Howard is continuing his involvement with baseball through SeventySix Capital, the Radnor-based venture capital firm, writes Andy Frye for Forbes.

Howard, one of the firm’s partners, loves talking about the potential athletes have and their social capital.

“When I first came into the league, it was that you sign a deal and get paid,” he said. “Now, the marketing landscape is different, with millions of people on their phones, on social media all the time.”

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Howard first made his mark in baseball 13 years ago as National League Rookie of the Year. Back then, social media platforms were in their infancy. Today, they create opportunities for a new generation of athletes.

“Athletes today have more than just their financial capital; they also have social capital,” said Wayne Kimmel, SeventySix Capital partner. “We believe athletes have a really incredible halo effect and help companies get above their competition.”

According to both Howard and Kimmel, today’s athletes are often courted by startup companies that get creative with their payment, like offering shares. As a result, the majority of companies SeventySix Capital invests in or partners with are in cyberspace.

Read more about SeventySix Capital in Forbes by clicking here.

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