By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. View our Privacy Policy for more information.
Company

Who we are

Our why

XV Capital Advisory was born out of our passion for the power of sport to positively impact communities.

We aspire to do amazing things with great people, driving scalable commercial success and giving back through philanthropic endeavours.

Our what

We invest in Global Sports Innovation companies and connect them across the entire sports ecosystem including:
Capital Partners
Governing Bodies & NSO’s
Professional Leagues
Teams & Academies
Player Associations
Clubs, Schools & Universities
Venues & Facilities
Media, Broadcasters, OTT & Streaming
Betting & Gaming
Government & Philanthropy (Sports Grants)
Annual, Major & Mega Events

Our way

Values
Respect
Discipline
Humility
Commitment
Strengths
Innovation
Leadership
Connection
Simplification
Qualities
Positivity
Authenticity
Integrity
Growth Mindset

Our founders

Stirling and James have known each other for over 25 years, initially meeting in 1997 playing for Gordon Rugby Club (Sydney, Australia).

XV Capital was built on aligned values and purpose, complementary strengths and skill sets, and a significant combined global network in sport, financial services and technology.

Stirling Mortlock

Founding Partner
Stirling Mortlock
Founding Partner

Stirling is a former international rugby union player, known for his physicality and strong leadership. In a career spanning 15 years, Stirling earned 140 Super Rugby caps and 80 Wallaby test caps. He captained Australia from 2006-2010 and in 2012 was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for service to rugby.

While still playing professionally, Stirling joined Citi Institutional Equities and then moved to NAB in various Wealth Management and Institutional roles. After 10 years of corporate life, Stirling transitioned into a boutique Advisory firm specialising in Alternate Investments (predominantly technology), servicing UHNW Advisors and Family Offices.

In 2019, Stirling attended the Japan RWC, sparking his interest in combining his love of sport with his expertise in technology and financial services. He subsequently consulted to the 2031/2033 USA Rugby World Cup Bid, and founded XV Capital in 2020 with ex-teammate James Godfrey.

Stirling sits on various private and not for profit Boards including XV Capital, Sportable Australia, GAINLINE Analytics, Cohesion Capital (Chairman) and The Rugby Club Foundation (Treasurer & Chair of the IC). He is a former Board member of the Melbourne Rebels, the Rugby Union Players Association and the US RWC Bid Partnership.

James Godfrey

Founding Partner
James Godfrey
Founding Partner

James represented Australian Schools, U21’s and Barbarians, before transitioning into the business of sport in 1997, joining Godfrey Pembroke as GM of athletesfirst.

Post MLC’s purchase of Godfrey Pembroke, James continued to work in wealth management with Invesco Asset Management, Apsley Recruitment and Godfrey Group (founded in 2004).

From 2010, James has combined sport and financial services as a Director - SEQ Sports & Entertainment finance, Head of Sport - Newington College, GM - Foundation at NSW Rugby, CEO - Loyals Rugby, Consultant – 2031/2033 USA Rugby World Cup Bid and Founding Partner at XV Capital.

He sits on various private and not for profit Boards including XV Capital (Chairman), intaneous, Cohesion Capital and NSW Positive Rugby Foundation. He is a former Board member of the Major League Rugby and the US RWC Bid Partnership.

Our consultants

Building a highly Cohesive team is important to XV Capital. We selected a team of trusted experts with shared experience both within XV Capital and previous environments. This allows us to perform efficiently and effectively across multiple regions.

Rick Burton

Consultant - North America
Rick Burton
Consultant - North America
  • Former League Commissioner
  • Former CMO – U.S. Olympic Committee
  • Sports Industry Author, Columnist
  • Professor of Sports Management, Syracuse University
  • Liaison to NCAA, Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC)
  • Sports Administration
  • Sponsorship
  • Advertising
  • Athlete Welfare
  • Education

Marc Stcherbina

Consultant - North America
Marc Stcherbina
Consultant - North America
  • Former representative level and 12 year professional rugby player
  • National level youth rugby coach
  • Executive leadership coach
  • Athlete welfare coach
  • Leadership workshop facilitation
  • Rugby commentator for CBS, ESPN, FOX Sports USA
  • Major League Rugby TV Show Host for FOX Sports USA
  • Media skills coach
  • Founder of Winning EQ leadership consulting
  • Emotional intelligence education
  • Same Here Global Mental Health Alliance

Josh Philpot

Consultant - UK/Europe
Josh Philpot
Consultant - UK/Europe
  • Board Member – AFL Europe
  • Sports administration
  • Coaching/ coach education
  • Commercial consultant
  • Sponsorship
  • Sport, entertainment, and venue consultant
  • Digital, data, and technology consultant
  • Startups and scale ups
  • Investment

Rob Smith

Consultant - APAC
Rob Smith
Consultant - APAC
  • Former IMG, Rugby Australia, SEL, GroupM and CSM
  • Former Director of Sport NSW
    Director of Surfing NSW
  • Director of FanEx
  • Sport, media and entertainment lawyer
  • Commercial Executive
  • Sports administration
  • Marketing
  • Business development
  • Talent management
  • Presently based in NZ

Matt Burgess

Consultant - APAC
Matt Burgess
Consultant - APAC

Matt is a sports lawyer by trade, practicing for more than 16 years exclusively in action and lifestyle sport, media and entertainment. Most recently, Matt drafted the “Lifestyle and Action Sports Hub" Strategy Paper for the 2032 Olympics in South East Queensland on behalf of the Queensland Academy of Sport and continues to practice through his sports legal and strategy firm, Evolve Sports Group.

He has held multiple leadership and executive positions including current roles as President of Bowls Australia, Board Member of the Global Action Sports Foundation in California and Chair of the High Performance Selection Committee for Skateboarding in Australia . Further to these positions, he recently provided strategic or legal advice to Champion Data, WPGA Tour, PGA Tour, Skate Australia, Australian Institute of Sport and World Surf League and owns The Athena golf tournament.

Matt’s strength is bringing new media opportunities for fan engagement to traditional sports, which must include quality stakeholder engagement and agile solutions in a fast-moving sports landscape.

Leverage our expertise and access.