SSAC

Moderator: Steve Heiner Panelists: George Pyne, Carolyn Tisch Blodgett, Mitch Lasky Sports investing has expanded far beyond traditional team ownership, with capital now pouring into areas such as sports technology, media rights, betting, athlete-backed ventures, and emerging leagues. This panel will explore how the smartest money in sports is being allocated and what factors investors consider when evaluating these non-traditional assets. Are these emerging opportunities a passing trend, or do they represent the future of sports investment?

Moderator: Abe Madkour Panelists: Amy Howe, Brian Rolapp, Jessica Gelman The sports industry is in a period of massive disruption from streaming media to direct-to-consumer to globalization to sky-rocketing team valuations to increased access to athletes to data connectivity. Why have team values increased so much despite declining viewership? The Future of Sports Business is evolving in real-time reflecting the changing expectations of fans, athletes, & stakeholders. Hear from industry innovators from the pre-eminent sports organizations engaging the changing fan, how the game is more connected than ever before, and why the sports world will continue to become smaller. This discussion will highlight how organizations across the ecosystem are strategically adapting to changing fan preferences and highlight the data & technology needed to support changes in-venue, at-home, and across the world. The panel will consider the broader influences affecting the sports ecosystem, including globalization and emerging trends, as they look to redefine the future of sports business.

Moderator: Alison Fragale Panelists: Lorissa Horton, Mike Ybarra, Tim Armstrong Year after year, the overlap between the technology and sports sectors grows stronger. Teams and leagues have used technology to revolutionize how they make decisions on the field; technology companies in turn have looked to sports to highlight their capabilities, enhance user engagement, and find new areas of growth. Moderated by leading organizational psychologist Alison Fragale, this panel brings together executives that built careers in the technology sector before taking leadership roles in sports businesses of Flowcode, PrizePicks and SumerSports. Hear the lessons learned from scaling products and divisions at Microsoft, Google, Cisco, and AOL, and the impact these experiences have on their visionary leadership in cutting-edge sports organizations today.

Moderator: Shira Springer  Panelists: Mike McCarley, Katlyn Gao, Mike Buckley, Steve Argeris As investment accelerates in professional sports, new leagues and teams are emerging, redefining competition and engagement. Mike Buckley, Katlyn Gao, Mike McCarley, and Steve Argeris are shaping this transformation from different angles—league founders driving innovation and an industry leader navigating the financial landscape. Buckley is bringing sailing to a broader audience through SailGP’s global expansion, backed by private equity. Gao is building League One Volleyball (LOVB) from the ground up, creating a sustainable pipeline from youth development to the professional stage. McCarley is reshaping golf with TGL, a tech-driven primetime league supported by Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy. Adding a financial and operational lens, Argeris brings insights from his leadership in the United Football League (UFL), where he helps navigate investment strategies, media rights, and long-term league stability.Together, they will examine the future of emerging leagues, the evolution of revenue models, and what it takes to thrive in a landscape dominated by legacy sports organizations.

Moderator: Jessica Gelman Panelists: Michele Kang, Gerry Cardinale Join an exclusive conversation with Gerry Cardinale and Michele Kang, two entrepreneurs who are literally changing the sports industry.  Both founders have taken unique approaches to expanding global reach through investment approach and team ownership structure. Michele Kang is a pioneering entrepreneur and investor who has transformed women’s sports by founding and leading Kynisca, the world's pre-eminent women sports organization and the first woman-owned multi-team global organization dedicated to women’s football. Gerry Cardinale is the visionary creator, managing partner, and chief investment officer of RedBird Capital Partners, where his leadership has driven over $10 billion in investments across sports, media, and entertainment. The discussion led by Jessica Gelman will highlight their journey from early beginnings that has led to how and why they are building sports empires today.

Panelists: Alex Rodriguez, Jason Kelly, David Blitzer ‘The Deal’, Bloomberg’s hit show featuring Alex Rodriguez and Jason Kelly, brings its signature blend of sports, business, and investing to the MIT Sloan Sports Analytics Conference for an exclusive live interview. In this special session, they sit down with David Blitzer—co-managing partner of Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment and a pioneer in multi-club ownership—to explore the evolving landscape of sports investment. From private equity’s expanding role to the strategic use of analytics in team acquisitions and operations, Blitzer shares his perspective on the business of winning both on and off the field. How do investors assess opportunities in today’s data-driven sports world? What’s next for ownership models as leagues adapt to new financial realities? Join us for a front-row seat to The Deal as we unpack the numbers, narratives, and next moves shaping the future of sports.

Moderator: Michele Steele Panelists: David Stearns, Nick Caserio, Daryl Morey What’s it like to negotiate nine-figure contracts, let go of a veteran fan-favorite player, or survive a trade deadline? This panel unites four visionary executives across three different sports—Daryl Morey (Philadelphia 76ers), David Stearns (New York Mets), Kwesi Adofo-Mensah (Minnesota Vikings), and Nick Caserio (Houston Texans)—to explore how analytics are transforming team management across sports. The discussion will delve into how each leader leverages data and technology to guide roster construction, player evaluation, and development strategies. From navigating professional drafts to executing trades and competitive rebuilds, the panelists will share insights into how analytics drive sustained success in their respective leagues. They’ll also address the challenges of integrating data with traditional scouting and balancing innovation with the human element of decision-making.

Panelists: Sue Bird, Megan Rapinoe, Lauren Holiday Everyone watches women's sports—and now, there's a podcast for that.Take a front row seat with world champion athletes Sue Bird and Megan Rapinoe, as they sit down with Lauren Holiday to discuss their shared journeys through sports and life. Hear deep cut stories from their experiences as athletes, and the inside look at moments illuminate the intersection of sports and pop culture.

Moderator: Michele Steele Panelists: A'ja Wilson, Jade-Li English 2x WNBA Champion, 2x Olympic Gold Medalist, and 3x MVP A’ja Wilson, alongside her agent Jade-Li English, will delve into the dynamic intersection of sports, entrepreneurship, and personal growth. They’ll share A’ja’s journey from athlete to businesswoman, navigating opportunities on and off the court. The discussion will also highlight the critical player-agent relationship, explore how strategic decisions shape careers, personal brands, and long-term success amid the booming women’s basketball landscape and reflect on the sport’s evolving impact and exciting future of women’s basketball.

Mark Tatum, the NBA's Deputy Commissioner, shares insights on global strategies focusing on India and China. Christine Dorfler, CFO of the NFL, discusses expanding international games and developing a global talent base. Paul Caine, President of On Location, talks about enhancing fan experiences through partnerships. The trio explores the unique challenges of cultural differences and logistics in global sports. They also highlight grassroots programs and digital strategies to engage new audiences, paving the way for U.S. leagues in emerging markets.