Dalton Thieneman

Dalton Thieneman stands at the forefront of innovative sports media as the Co-Founder and CEO of Cracked Media Ventures, Inc. (CMV), a Carmel, Indiana-based company that has steadily redefined how emerging sports are covered and consumed. Since founding CMV in 2017 alongside Daniel Westhoff and Alex Gruskin, Dalton has led with a clear mission: to give junior, collegiate, and challenger-level tennis players the spotlight they deserve. This vision gave rise to their flagship brand, Cracked Racquets, a tennis-focused platform that rapidly gained traction by showcasing the stories and matches often overlooked by mainstream broadcasters.

Under Dalton’s leadership, CMV secured powerful partnerships with institutions such as ESPN, the Intercollegiate Tennis Association, and major collegiate conferences including the ACC, SEC, and Big 12. These alliances validated CMV’s belief that sports with passionate, underserved communities could thrive through live streaming and smart, tech-driven analysis. Building on this foundation, CMV has expanded into the fast-growing worlds of pickleball, padel, and volleyball, sports with increasing global appeal and limited media coverage. The strategic move reflects a foundational principle: identify niche audiences, deliver high-quality coverage, and build a community around shared enthusiasm.

What distinguishes CMV from legacy media companies is its forward-thinking production model. With proprietary technology such as CrossCourt Cast, CMV enables events to be broadcasted efficiently with minimal staff. Leveraging AI-powered cameras and remote commentary systems, the company brings hundreds of matches across multiple courts to life in a single weekend. The streamlined approach allows Cracked to scale its coverage without sacrificing quality, ensuring that players, coaches, and fans always have a direct connection to the action, whether through livestreams, weekly shows, real-time highlights, or social media engagement.

CMV’s impact is not confined to broadcasting alone. The company continues to develop and scale a multi-platform ecosystem, including podcasts, YouTube programming, tailored social media content, custom merchandise, and live events that meets fans where they are. With this full-spectrum media playbook, Dalton and his team are cultivating long-term narratives and enhancing visibility for sports communities that have long been overlooked.

Beyond his entrepreneurial ventures, Dalton plays a pivotal role in public affairs as Vice President of Governmental Services and General Counsel at Market Street Group, Inc. In this capacity, he advocates on behalf of clients spanning industries such as education, local government, technology, public safety, tourism, and utilities. His responsibilities include representing clients before state legislative committees, regulatory bodies, and executive agencies, building consensus and advancing policy goals through effective advocacy.

Dalton’s foundation in public service began with the Indiana State Senate, where he served as a Legislative Assistant for members of the Majority Caucus. This early exposure allowed him to build critical relationships across state government while managing constituent issues and policy development. His commitment to civic engagement is further reflected in his role as President of D.A.R.E. Indiana and as a member of the Carmel Indiana Library Foundation Committee, where he supports fundraising initiatives to enhance local educational resources.

Recognized for his leadership and strategic planning vision, Dalton was selected as a member of the Indiana Leadership Forum Class of 2020–2021, a distinguished program designed to prepare business and community leaders for impactful roles in public life. His involvement in multiple political campaigns at the local, state, and federal levels further demonstrates his commitment to shaping a better future through both policy and community involvement.

Dalton’s academic journey includes graduating from Saint Xavier High School in Louisville, Kentucky, earning a degree in Pre-Law and Philosophy from Saint Louis University, and completing his legal education at Indiana University’s Robert H. McKinney School of Law. Each step in his education has contributed to a robust foundation in legal reasoning, ethical leadership, and strategic thinking.

Amidst his many professional accomplishments, Dalton considers his role as a husband and father to be the most fulfilling. He married his wife, Hannah, in May 2019, and together they celebrated the birth of their daughter, Isla, in March 2025. With a growing family and a growing impact in both the media and public affairs sectors, Dalton Thieneman continues to shape narratives, champion communities, and transform futures, both in sports and beyond.