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Wes Day had not even contemplated a career in sports business when he took a seat in Ben Sutton’s Winston-Salem, N.C., office. Day was there to pitch Sutton on a startup company in the biotech field, a new venture that put Day in business with a pair of scientists close by at Research Triangle Park.
Day vividly remembers finishing his pitch and then waiting for Sutton’s response. Sutton leaned back in his chair and said, “Wes, have you ever thought about getting into sports? It’s a hell of a lot more fun than this stuff.”
A few years later, after Sutton had separated from IMG College and started Teall Capital, he put in a call to Day, a former banker, who was still trying to make that biotech company go. Day was hired in 2017 to help Teall raise money and invest it.
“That was a turning point for me,” said Day, who earned his undergraduate business degree from Wake Forest and his MBA from Duke. “When I left banking, I swore that I’d never work for anybody else again.”
But Day’s role in raising $70 million for the fund and investing about half of it has satisfied his entrepreneurial side. He’s been integral in making 11 acquisitions or investments into businesses such as Dyehard Fan Supply, Sunshine Beverage and agency Riddle & Bloom.
Taking Teall from an investment vehicle for Sutton to a sports and entertainment private equity fund that required substantial fundraising to get to $70 million has been a highlight of Day’s time there.
“That was a massive inflection point for myself and for Teall,” Day said. “Now we’re starting to look at what the next fund might look like, kind of a Teall 2.0.”
Partner and Chief Strategy Officer, Teall Capital Partners
Age: 33
Born: Raleigh, N.C.
Education: Wake Forest University, B.S., business and entrepreneurship; Duke University, Fuqua School of Business, MBA
Family: Wife, Ellery; daughter, Ellie (9 months)
I get fired up by … : The opportunity to build.
Advice to my 20-year-old self: Worry less about what is next and focus more on the now.
Profession I’d most like to attempt: Basketball coach.
Guilty pleasure: Binge watching TV series with my wife.
Could not go a day without: Cellphone (I am addicted).
Person I’d most like to meet: I would have loved to have met Arnold Palmer.
Sports industry needs to do a better job of … : Remembering and communicating the constructive impact sports has on breaking down barriers, connecting people and communities, building leaders, and in general, positively impacting the world.
Sports business leaders should be more mindful of … : See No. 1 above.
Ideal day off: Beach with the family.
Most adventurous thing I’ve done: Bungee jumped 450-plus feet in Australia.
