Early Life and Education
Todd Wagner was born on August 2, 1960, in Gary, Indiana. He attended Merrillville High School and later joined the Kappa Sigma fraternity at Indiana University. He graduated from Indiana University in 1983 with a Bachelor of Arts/Science. Wagner furthered his education at the University of Virginia, where he earned a Juris Doctor degree.
Rise to Success
Wagner's career began in Dallas, Texas, where he became a licensed CPA. In 1995, he co-founded AudioNet with Mark Cuban, a platform for broadcasting live sporting events and radio stations over the internet. The company was rebranded as Broadcast.com in 1998 and went public during the dot-com boom. Broadcast.com's IPO set an opening-day record. Wagner and Cuban sold Broadcast.com to Yahoo! for $5.7 billion in 1999, a move that cemented their status as billionaires. Wagner continued to work with Yahoo! until 2000.
Key Business Strategies
Wagner's business strategies have been marked by innovation and strategic partnerships. After selling Broadcast.com, Wagner co-founded 2929 Entertainment with Mark Cuban, a vertically integrated entertainment company involved in content production, distribution, and exhibition. He also founded the Charity Network, which includes Charitybuzz and Prizeo, to leverage technology for digital fundraising. Furthermore, he launched FoodFight USA in 2023, a nonprofit organization aimed at reforming America's food supply.
Philanthropy
Wagner has been a significant force in philanthropy. The Todd Wagner Foundation has invested tens of millions of dollars in programs empowering underserved communities and at-risk youth. Wagner launched Chideo in 2014, a digital platform for fundraising. He also acquired Charitybuzz and Prizeo, expanding his charitable network. In 2023, he launched FoodFight USA to address issues with America's food supply. The Todd Wagner Foundation brought KIPP charter schools and After-School All-Stars to North Texas and provides support for Boys & Girls Clubs of America and First Tee.
