#305: Tom Porricelli, Citrin Cooperman

Tom Porricelli is a Partner and Head of Technology and Sports at Citrin Cooperman, where he has spent over 15 years helping founders, operators, and middle-market companies navigate growth, financial strategy, and long-term value creation. With a background as a collegiate athlete, Tom brings a unique blend of competitive mindset and technical expertise, bridging the gap between traditional accounting and the evolving sports business landscape. His work focuses on supporting founders at every stage, from early formation to exit; while helping them avoid common financial pitfalls and build sustainable businesses.

Citrin Cooperman is a leading advisory and accounting firm that has evolved far beyond traditional audit and tax services. The firm specializes in working with high-growth companies across industries, with a strong focus on the sports, media, and technology ecosystem. By taking a tailored, relationship-first approach, Citrin supports founders with strategic guidance around capital, tax optimization (including QSBS and R&D credits), and long-term planning, positioning itself as a true partner rather than just a service provider.

In this episode, Tom shares how sports has emerged as a powerful and under-institutionalized asset class, and why founders need more than a one-size-fits-all approach when building in this space. The conversation dives into the importance of community-driven growth, non-transactional relationship building, and how firms like Citrin are leveraging ecosystems like Profluence to better support innovators. Tom also breaks down key financial strategies every founder should understand, offering practical insights on capital decisions, tax advantages, and how to build with the right partners from day one.

Podcast Chapters:
02:40 The Evolution of Sports as an Asset Class
05:50 Building Relationships in the Sports Ecosystem
08:33 Leveraging Community for Growth
11:20 Innovative Approaches to Client Engagement
14:15 Advice for Founders on Financial Strategies
17:09 Looking Ahead: The Future of Sports and Accounting