SSAC

Sports Gambling Innovation: Betting on the Future

Frank Frigo – Co-Founder, EdjSports

 

Kip Levin – President & COO, FanDuel

 

Matthew Berry – Senior Fantasy Sports Analyst, ESPN

 

Jeffrey Yass – Founder and Managing Director, SIG

 

Jeff Ma (Moderator) – Co-Host, Bet the Process

 

In the 18 months since the Professional & Amateur Sports Protection Act was overturned by the U.S. Supreme Court, revenue generated across states offering legal gambling has reached an astounding $15 billion. This is just a drop in the bucket as the market for illegal sports gambling has been estimated upwards of $150 billion. As gambling comes closer to being completely legalized across the United States, businesses and leagues are taking innovative approaches to make betting interesting and more mainstream to maximize the seemingly limitless revenue pool. This panel will discuss the mechanics behind the legislation, technology, and implementation.

Finding the Favorite: Engaging Fans and Bettors

Zach Leonsis – SVP of Strategic Initiatives, Monumental Sports

 

Brian Josephs – VP of Digital Sports, Sportradar

 

Scott Kaufman-Ross – SVP of Fantasy & Gaming, NBA

 

Doug Kezirian – Sports Betting Analyst & Daily Wager Host, ESPN

 

Chad Millman (Moderator) – Chief Content Officer, Action Network

 

Daily Fantasy captivated a generation of players that do not consider themselves sports bettors. As legalization continues to sweep across the country, what new game formats will attract the ever expanding pie of potential players? Industry trailblazers are working to create and enrich the gambling experience for fans through innovative stadium experiences, daily games, podcasts and television shows that can be consumed wherever you are. During this panel, leaders from across the gambling landscape will share their vision of fan experience that would excite anyone from the hardcore gambler to the newbie.

Fanalytics 2.0

Rich Gotham – Team President, Boston Celtics

 

Rob King – SVP of Original Content, ESPN

 

Jessica Gelman – CEO, Kraft Analytics Group

 

Jason Robins – CEO & Co-Founder, DraftKings

 

Alison Overholt (Moderator) – VP of Storytelling & Special Projects, ESPN

 

In our first “Fanalytics” panel in 2013, we speculated the ways to collect and use data to improve the fan experience. Back then, we discussed opens and clicks, but now the nuances are much deeper. What has changed? Today customer insights are gained throughout the fan lifecycle and are informing improvements to the end product and customer experience. Learn how industry leaders such as Amazon, ESPN, DraftKings, and the many organizations KAGR works with are striving to better understand fan needs. Listen to business leaders across the sports landscape discuss how organizations are quantifying fan behavior, better understanding customers, and approaching the future.

Ticketing Analytics: Secondary to None

Rob Sine – Chief Revenue Officer, AXS

 

Adam Grow – COO, KORE Software

 

Kristin Bernert – SVP of Business Operations, MSG Sports

 

Patrick Ryan – Co-Founder, Eventellect

 

Shira Springer (Moderator) – Sports and Society Reporter, NPR & WBUR

 

Ticketing and game attendance remains the cornerstone of sports organizations. With the push for an open ticketing environment in recent years, technology has increased transparency, improved insights into who is attending a game, and provided more customized ticketing options. Season ticket holders remain the key to sustained success, but the definition of what they get and how they engage with their team is shifting. Listen in as industry leaders from ticketing giants to beloved teams to marketing platforms discuss the strategies they are using to fill their stadium and extend season tickets, while using the secondary market to gain new customers and test pricing.

How Big Is Your Jumbotron: Optimizing the Venue Experience

Jim Nolan – COO, Kraft Sports & Entertainment

 

Kat Harwood – Senior Manager, Deloitte

 

Mike Shane – Chief Business Officer, Comcast Spectacor

 

Peter Feigin – President, Milwaukee Bucks and Fiserv Forum

 

Josh Walker (Moderator) – Co-Founder & President, Sports Innovation Lab

 

Over the past decade, 85% of sports venues have invested in significant improvements to meet the changing needs of fans and enhancing the overall experience. With a focus on creating new experiences within the venue, including new premium locations, all- you-can-eat options, or simply entry into the game, venue owners and operators are rethinking and redefining the in-venue experience. Increased investments in upgrades include UltraHD video boards, escalators for aging populations, improved communication in apps, better wifi, and optimized traffic flow. This panel brings together industry leaders with diverse perspectives to discuss the current trends and best practices.

Making the Right Play: Optimizing the NBA’s Season Structure

Evan Wasch – SVP of Basketball Strategy & Analytics, NBA

 

Steve Koonin – CEO, Atlanta Hawks

 

Gersson Rosas – President of Basketball Operations, Minnesota Timberwolves

 

Shane Battier – VP of Basketball Development & Analytics, Miami Heat

 

Kevin Arnovitz (Moderator) – NBA Writer, ESPN.com

 

For more than 50 years the NBA has operated with an 82-game regular season, but is this the optimal season structure? Questions around player health and injury prevention have led to scrutiny over season length for several years, but the subject has gained momentum recently as the conversation has shifted to considering how the league can better optimize its format for fans. Could a new season structure and competition format actually lead to a more healthy ecosystem for owners, players, broadcast partners, and sponsors? On this panel, league and team executives will examine the most pressing topics surrounding the NBA schedule conversation.

Basketball Analytics: Nothin’ but Net...Rating

Bob Voulgaris – Director of Quantitative Research, Dallas Mavericks

 

Mike Zarren – Assistant GM and Team Counsel, Boston Celtics

 

Tom Thibodeau – Former NBA Head Coach & Executive

 

Zach Lowe – Senior NBA Writer, ESPN

 

Ben Cohen (Moderator) – Sports Reporter, WSJ

 

Analytics has revolutionized the modern game, but there are changes happening off the court that are unseen by the public. In the boardroom, data is used in contract negotiations, scouting, and player evaluation, to name a few. New data sources are also emerging from biometrics, wearables, and video footage, which may transform the next generation of the modern game and front office decision making. This panel will look to demystify how analytics is used behind the scenes with perspectives from coaches, analysts, and members of the front office.

“3s & Frees”: The Evolving Nature of Basketball

Danilo Gallinari – Forward, Oklahoma City Thunder

 

Kirk Goldsberry – NBA Analyst, ESPN

 

RC Buford – CEO, Spurs Sports and Entertainment

 

Dave Joerger – Former NBA Head Coach

 

Sue Bird – Point Guard, Seattle Storm

 

J.A. Adande (Moderator) – Director of Sports Journalism, Northwestern University

 

Basketball is undeniably an evolving sport. From the run and gun in the ‘60s to the physical slugfest in the ‘90s to the “threes and frees” of today, the game has transformed and reinvented itself over and over again. On the court, the adoption of big data and advanced analytics have changed the game forever – a change debated for better or for worse. Off the court, the globalization of the game and the emphasis on load management have altered how fans view the league. On this panel, NBA executives, front office insiders, coaches and players will discuss these themes and explore what’s next in this ever-evolving game.

Built to Last: The Importance of Inclusion & Diversity in Sports Organizations

Allison Feaster – Director of Player Development and Personal Growth, Boston Celtics

 

Shelley Pisarra – EVP of Global Insights & Strategy, Wasserman

 

Catherine Carlson – SVP of Revenue & Strategy, Philadelphia Eagles

 

Scott Pioli – Former NFL Executive & Television Analyst

 

Liz Moulton (Moderator) – Co-Leader of the Sports Business Practice, Spencer Stuart

 

Countless studies have shown that diverse teams outperform homogeneous counterparts. Yet in an environment where everyone is looking for a competitive edge, why is the sports industry so far behind? Today, champions of diversity are having significant impact in their organizations. In 2019, Adam Silver publicly wished for half of NBA coaches and referees to be women. The number of NBA female coaches has more than doubled since then. Scott Pioli has long been a supporter as shown by the creation of fellowships through the Women’s Sports Foundation and hiring one of the first female coaches in the NFL. Learn how organizations are removing hiring biases and what organizations must do to create success for underrepresented minorities. Panelists will lend their insights and experiences to how diversity has fostered an environment in which unheard voices can be heard and also led to better overall performance.

A 1-on-1 with Enes Kanter

Enes Kanter – NBA Center, Boston Celtics

 

Howard Beck (Moderator) – Senior Writer, Bleacher Report

 

Howard Beck sits down with Boston Celtics center Enes Kanter for a wide-ranging conversation on his unique basketball career and his stance on expressing his beliefs and freedom of speech. Kanter will discuss various ways in which he has used his platform as an NBA star on and off the court. Topics will include Kanter’s basketball successes, challenges he’s faced as an international player, and the initiative he is taking to promote gender equality in sports and educational equality in the United States.