We were lucky to catch up with Sener Korkusuz recently and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, Sener thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. So, naming is such a challenge. How did you come up with the name of your brand?
As we reminisced about our days playing backyard football, the notion that it would eventually lay the foundation for a burgeoning business never crossed our minds. The year was 2014, and my friend Ryan DePaul and I found ourselves on a unique journey—turning the game of our childhood into a nationwide enterprise. It all began when I witnessed Ryan’s remarkable feat of fostering a vibrant community around our beloved game. His achievement ignited a spark within me, a belief that together we could elevate this game to new heights and introduce it to a wider audience.
Picture this: a game of 7 on 7 football, an embodiment of raw passion, with no pads or helmets, where the exhilarating essence of tackle football thrives. In those early months of 2014, as we embarked on our collaborative venture, a crucial task lay before us: to christen not only our fledgling company but also the very sport we aimed to champion. The landscape of sports was punctuated by giants like the NFL, USFL, and XFL, each bearing its own distinctive initials. Our endeavor demanded a name that would distinguish itself just as boldly.
In unison, we delved into a brainstorming odyssey, seeking a moniker that would encapsulate the spirit of the sport while resonating universally. The international familiarity with the seven-on-seven format across various sports served as an ideal starting point. Given that our sport married American football with the 7 on 7 style, the fusion seemed almost serendipitous. After meticulous rounds of name permutations, the culmination of our efforts materialized: American 7s Football. Presenting this amalgamation to my partner, the impact was immediate—a unanimous endorsement of the name reverberated between us. Thus, A7FL was born, an abbreviation that not only captured the essence of American 7s Football but also became the shorthand for the American 7s Football League.
Fast forward to the present day, and the seeds we sowed have blossomed into a captivating reality. The A7FL boasts a widespread presence with teams entrenched in 10 prominent markets across the United States. Our achievements have garnered attention on the national stage, gracing television screens nationwide and earning spots on esteemed sports platforms such as SportsCenter, BleacherReport, and BarstoolSports. The resounding support of over 750,000 global followers underscores the profound impact our vision has had.
From humble beginnings rooted in childhood nostalgia to the dynamic force that is the A7FL today, the journey stands as a testament to the power of passion and innovation. Through dedication, collaboration, and the unwavering belief in the allure of the game, we have not only revitalized a cherished pastime but also carved a niche that celebrates the very heart of American football.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
Sener Korkusuz stands as the visionary Co-founder and CEO at the helm of the American 7s Football League (A7FL), an embodiment of his groundbreaking aspirations. Established in 2014, the A7FL resonates with innovation, redefining the landscape of tackle football. Diverging from the traditional norm, this league casts aside helmets and pads, offering a captivating yet inherently safer experience for athletes in the arena.
A distinguished alumnus of the esteemed Leigh Steinberg Sports Agent Program, Sener further solidifies his presence as a certified contract advisor for the Canadian Football League (CFL). This profound connection to the world of sports augments his multifaceted prowess.
The echoes of Sener’s success resound in his academic achievements as well. A cum-laude graduate from the New Jersey Institute of Technology in 2001, he earned a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Engineering—a testament to his technical acumen and commitment to scholarly excellence.
In 2004, a chapter of entrepreneurship commenced with the inception of Earth Skater—a venture that marked Sener as a self-taught programming virtuoso. Under his astute guidance, Earth Skater blossomed into a Software as a Service (SAAS) online store solution, extending its arms to empower countless small business proprietors nationwide. This journey encompassed more than just technology; it was a symphony of leadership and innovation.
Nurturing Earth Skater into a revered national e-commerce service provider, Sener’s path became paved with profound insights spanning diverse domains—technological evolution, online marketing dynamics, strategic advertising paradigms, the art of efficient business administration, and the delicate art of fostering cohesive teams.
The tapestry of Sener’s growth was woven alongside a myriad of small business owners across various industries. These collaborations etched lessons of resilience, adaptability, and the essence of triumphing against the odds—lessons that would prove invaluable in the journey that lay ahead.
By 2014, his narrative bore the marks of transformation. The refinement of Earth Skater’s operational machinery through intricate programming and the embrace of automation served as pivotal milestones. Moreover, his intellectual appetite was satiated by voracious reading, with tomes like “The Lean Startup” and the timeless wisdom of Napoleon Hill becoming guiding stars.
In the confluence of passion, knowledge, and opportunity, destiny beckoned anew. The trajectory that followed unveiled a remarkable juncture: the realization of a lifelong dream, nurtured alongside his childhood comrade, Ryan DePaul. The American 7s Football League emerged as a testament to their combined ardor, marking the genesis of a revolutionary chapter in the realm of sports and beyond.
Have any books or other resources had a big impact on you?
The Wisdom of Andrew Carnegie as Told to Napoleon Hill Business in the Trenches by David Schroeder
The Lean Startup by Eric Ries
Negotiation by Brian Tracy
We’d love to hear about how you met your business partner.
Ryan and I met around second or third grade when we were introduced by one of our mutual friends Jimmy. We grew up together, went to school, played football, and even started an earlier first business together out of high school in 1998. That business was in advertising and we sold it for a small profit and both went on to start our own individual businesses from there. It wasn’t until 2014 that I came back to Ryan with the plan to take his idea for no pads fooball to the next level and partner on building a new business in sports.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.a7fl.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/a7fl
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/a7fl
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sener-korkusuz
- Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/thea7fl
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/thea7fl