SSAC

Join Carlos Pena, a 14-year MLB veteran and analyst, Jonathan Erlichman, the Rays' VP of analytics, and Michael Voltmer, Dodgers' Director of Strategy, as they dissect the impact of recent rule changes in MLB. They explore the evolution of data-driven strategies and the integration of AI for enhancing pitch recognition and player performance. Discover how teams adapt their game strategies amidst these shifts and the role of former players in front office innovations. The conversation is packed with insights on sustaining success in a fast-paced baseball environment.

Moderator: Alison Overholt Panelists: Evan Wasch, Dawn Aponte, Lisa Lazarus In efforts to create unique competition, the NBA recently debuted its in-season tournament, while the NFL consistently updates its rules to enhance game flow, safety, and competitiveness, while also expanding its global presence by hosting games in international markets, with the first NFL game in South America taking place in 2024. The Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority (HISA) is actively pushing for innovation to improve safety standards while the MLS is rapidly expanding, and using MLS Next Pro to test their latest innovations. Leagues continue to innovate and adapt to meet the evolving needs, desires and concerns of fans while maintaining the integrity of their sport and the fundamentals that fans love. This panel brings together executives from the NBA, NFL, MLS, and HISA to discuss how leagues are making the decisions that are driving their sports forward to raise the overall quality for both the fans and the participants. Through insightful analysis, this panel will explore the impacts of these changes on league operations, fan engagement, player dynamics, and the overall future trajectory of each respective league. #LeagueInnovations

Jason Robins, founder of DraftKings, and Rich Paul, the influential CEO of KLUTCH Sports Group, delve into their unique entrepreneurial journeys. They discuss the transformative impact of strategic partnerships and athlete representation in sports. The conversation highlights the importance of innovation, mentorship, and character in building strong teams. They also explore the growing significance of women's sports and the effects of legalized sports betting on fan engagement, illustrating how each leader has empowered their respective industries.

Jessica Gelman, CEO of Craft Analytics Group and co-founder of the MIT Sloan Sports Analytics Conference, joins industry titans including Amy Latimer of Delaware North Group and Steve Phelps of NASCAR. They dive into innovative strategies for fan engagement, emphasizing data-driven decision-making and personalization. Discussions also touch on the rise of women's sports, the impact of technology like AR and VR, and the evolution of sports ownership and analytics, revealing how these elements shape the future of the industry.

Amy Reinhard, Lori Conkling, Harish Sarma, and Reagan Carey dive into the changing landscape of sports media. They discuss Netflix's foray into live sports, the exclusive rights of NFL Sunday Ticket on YouTube, and TikTok's impact on fan engagement through platforms like SportsTok. The panelists explore innovative monetization strategies and share insights on the rising popularity of women's sports, highlighting major cultural shifts. They emphasize the need for streamlined content access as sports viewing becomes more fragmented.

Moderator: Brian Millman Panelists: Joe Marsh, Andrew Lilien, Doug Watson This panel seeks to dive into the dynamic relationship between brands and the esports industry, exploring the current landscape and future in 2024. In the world of esports, brands and esports organizations are presented with unique opportunities and challenges in establishing meaningful connections with the community. Our panel of experts from esports teams, agencies, game developers, and brand partners will discuss the current state of brand involvement in esports, examining what it takes to form impactful strategic partnerships. Panelists will offer insights into how esports organizations and brands can successfully collaborate in the esports ecosystem, from sponsorship activations to digital marketing innovations. #LevelUp

In this enlightening discussion, Kevin Lopes, an ESPN VP focusing on AI and entertainment, Julie Souza from AWS working on player health tech, Tyrone Millard from Google Cloud enhancing fan engagement, and Daryl Morey of the 76ers dive into the transformative power of AI in sports. They explore current applications like player evaluation and real-time analytics, while discussing the ethical implications of generative AI. The panel also highlights innovative fan engagement strategies and the delicate balance between creativity and brand integrity in the sports world.

Moderator: Michele Steele Panelists: Paul Tudor Jones, Jonathan Kraft American Football has long held the marquee sports spot within the United States thanks to continual advancements made by leagues and in the sport at large. The NFL is in a period of growth and innovation: the NFL's fan demographics have expanded, 5 international games will be played in 2024, player safety is paramount, flag football has been added to the 2028 Olympics, NFL games accounted for 93 of the top 100 most watched TV broadcasts in 2023, and more. However, fewer of America's youth are playing the game than any time in the past decade and there is concern about the traditional college football model. In this session we'll hear from Jonathan Kraft and Paul Tudor Jones II, two business titans who are at the forefront of this new football era, about what these recent dynamics mean for the game and how they expect the game to progress over the next few years. #FutureOfFootball

Moderator: Ted Knutson Panelists: Steve Palazzolo, Eugene Shen, Sean Clement, Heather Maclean This panel will deep dive into the multi-faceted world of football analytics with seasoned industry experts from the Washington Commanders, Pro Football Focus, SumerSports, and StatsBomb. The panelists will discuss the current breadth of analytics use cases in football, ranging from the crucial role data plays in player evaluation and roster construction to the rapidly increasing utilization of data to inform game strategy and decision-making. The panelists will highlight the tangible impacts of data-driven methodologies in shaping the modern football landscape and explore potential analytics advancements that can further enhance the influence of data on success in the NFL. #TheNumbersGame

Sue Bird, a WNBA legend, Jeff Van Gundy, a former NBA coach, and Nick Caserio, an NFL executive, discuss the thrilling underdog mentality in sports. They share insights on resilience and teamwork, emphasizing how chemistry can overcome established legacies. Anecdotes about pivotal moments, like Tom Brady's rise, illustrate the transformative power of belief in high-pressure situations. The conversation also highlights the contrasts in dynamics between college and professional sports, revealing valuable lessons for facing personal challenges.