SSAC

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

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.

Brian Josephs from Sport Radar, Keith Goldner of FanDuel, Eric Rimsky from the NBA, and Megan Bergoon at ESPN dive into the transformative power of sports betting. They discuss how real-time data enhances fan engagement and the complexities of in-play betting. The conversation highlights storytelling's role in connecting with fans and the integration of advanced analytics to personalize betting experiences. They also explore the growth potential of betting on women's sports and the future of fantasy sports in the betting landscape.

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.

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

Moderator: Liz Moulton Panelists: Kirsten Corio, Julie Haddon, Dave Alpern In an era where sports sponsorships offer an abundance of assets, from jersey patches to on-court branding, the challenge lies in ensuring that partners receive optimal value while maintaining fan engagement and data privacy. This panel, featuring perspectives from leaders across various industries and roles, including the USTA, NWSL, Los Angeles Rams, and Joe Gibbs Racing, delves into the dynamics of sponsor-brand-fan relationships. This panel will explore evolving fan expectations, successful activations, and the impact of shifting data landscapes on sponsorship strategies. While traditional marketing remains a cornerstone of sponsorships, the panel will discuss how it's transitioning to become more digital, emphasizing the fusion of traditional and digital marketing in today's sports sponsorship ecosystem. The panel offers insights into how sponsors are adapting their approaches to first-party data access, emphasizing the importance of staying connected to fans in innovative ways. #ActivatingValue

Moderator: Corbin Petro Panelists: Will Blodgett, Seth Moulton, Alex Drane, Valerie Camillo Data is used universally across public and private sectors in powerful ways. This panel brings together a variety of industry experts focused on using data for the greater good, with lessons for the sports industry. Join us as we look to the expertise of panelists across real estate, healthcare, and the public sector to better understand how data is being used to power positive outcomes and how these learnings can inform the sports industry. The collaborative insights shared by these professionals will delve into innovative approaches, ethical considerations, and emerging trends, providing a comprehensive view of the dynamic landscape where data-driven strategies intersect with social and economic progress. #PowerOfData

Moderator: Danny Rensch Panelists: Daryl Morey, Levy Rozman, Robert Hess "The Digital Gambit" brings together chess legends Danny Rensch, Levy Rozman, Robert Hess, James Canty, and Daryl Morey to explore the evolution of chess in the digital era. This panel will delve into the transformation of chess content, fueled by mainstream media and online streaming, and its burgeoning appeal to a younger, tech-savvy audience. Discussions will focus on innovative formats like Chess960, the role of Twitch streamers in popularizing chess, and blending chess with other disciplines for unique content creation. The panel will also tackle the challenges of online cheating, the use of AI to enhance the chess experience, and strategies to monetize content while preserving the game’s integrity. Join us for an insightful exploration into how chess is being reimagined for a new generation, maintaining its rich heritage while embracing technological advancements. The event will also feature live demonstrations with our grandmasters interacting with the audience! #DigitalGambit

Moderator: Jeff Ma  Panelists: Nate Silver, Xuan Liu, Jennifer Shahade With the proliferation of analytics in sports and the increasing accessibility of machine learning, defining the next optimal next move is becoming increasingly challenging. Join us for an insightful poker panel as we explore the evolution of strategy in the game, driven by probability, game theory, and statistical analysis. Delving into how these analytical tools have revolutionized poker gameplay, our esteemed panelists will discuss the ways in which traditional strategies have been redefined and the game itself transformed. Beyond the poker table, we'll examine how these strategic principles are crossing into other domains, from sports to business, reshaping decision-making paradigms across industries. Don't miss this thought-provoking discussion on the intersection of analytics, strategy, and the future of poker. #ProbabilityToProfit