SSAC

Partnerships: Activating Value

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

Leveraging Sports Betting to Enhance the Fan Experience

Moderator: Jacob Feldman

Panelists: Brian Josephs, Keith Goldner, Eric Rimsky

As the U.S. sports betting market continues to mature, hear how key stakeholders within the ecosystem are collaborating to maximize fan engagement opportunities today and in the future. This panel will feature a deep dive into the deeper event data, including the growing focus on the athlete narrative as well as the usage of emerging technologies and advanced analytics. The panelists will discuss how these tools are being leveraged to fuel in-play betting, increase betting offers, and create personalized experiences that bring fans closer to the sports they love. #SportsBetting

The New Playbook: Revolutionizing Sports Gaming with Data and Technology

Moderator: Jeff Ma

Panelists: Grant Cloud, Madeleine Want, Brett Abarbanel

In the rapidly evolving landscape of sports gaming, the intersection of data analytics and technological innovation is creating unprecedented opportunities for growth and engagement. This panel will explore the forefront of innovation in sports gaming, highlighting how data is driving the development of new products and enhancing the sports viewing experience. Key topics will include new DFS game formats, responsible gaming initiatives, the integration of Esports into traditional sports gaming platforms, and the growth of digital communities that connect sports enthusiasts and enable them to form deeper connections to the games they love. Experts from leading gaming companies, including PrizePicks and Fanatics, will offer a deep dive into the intricate behind-the-scenes efforts that fuel these cutting-edge advancements in sports gaming. They will provide a rare glimpse into the complex interplay of data analytics, technology, and creative vision that underpins the development of new gaming formats and enhancements to the sports viewing experience. Through this discussion, the panelists will uncover how data and technology are not just changing the way games are played, but also how they are watched and experienced, paving the way for a more immersive and engaging sports gaming future. #TheNewPlaybook

The Digital Gambit: Creating Compelling Chess Content for New Audiences

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

From Probability to Profit: The Evolution of Poker Strategy

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

The Data Revolution: Innovations in Data & Analytics Tools

Moderator: Erin Kelly

Panelists: Michelene Rabbitt, Dejan Mitkovski, Karlis Kezbers, Daryl Morey

After years of progress, the sports industry has increasingly embraced the usage of data & analytics to optimize and enhance business performance. But in a world where data-driven decision making is now part of the status quo, what is the next frontier for data & analytics in sports business? This panel will bring together executives from Snowflake, Ticketmaster, FanDuel, and NASCAR to delve into the innovative ways in which they deploy data & analytics tools. The panelists will discuss recent developments in data & analytics technologies, the impact of these technological advancements on current operations, and the future of data & analytics utilization in sports business as technological innovation accelerates. #DataRevolution

Impacting the Game: The Advancement of Sports Analytics with Industry Pioneers

Moderator: Allison Loucks 

Panelists:  Brian Burke, Dean Oliver

ESPN Analytics will host a conversation with two leaders in the advanced metrics space, hitting on the prominence of analytics in the recently completed NFL playoffs, the impact on football and basketball in-game decision making, the media’s role in presenting analytics, and much more. #ImpactingTheGame

Power of Data: Using Data For Good Across Industries

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

Beyond the Box Office: The Evolution of Ticketing

Moderator: Katie Hodel

Panelists: Kate Howard, Jake Burns, Jason Green

This panel will explore the “Evolution of Ticketing” and provide a comprehensive discussion of the current trends, challenges, and opportunities in the ticketing industry. Hear from ticketing vendors and team/venue executives as they dive into technological advancements, changing fan consumption patterns, and other key drivers that are changing the ticketing landscape, including the balance between premium experiences and accessibility for the average fan.

Seats at the Table: Empowering the Next Generation of Ownership and Changemakers

Moderator: Hannah Storm

Panelists: Sue Bird, Megan Rapinoe, Andre Iguadala

This star-studded panel brings together legendary athletes turned business innovators, owners, investors, and changemakers to discuss the growing influence of players leading change in the industry. Sue Bird, Megan Rapinoe, and Andre Iguodala will share their unique leadership journeys, how they are leveraging their power to drive change and inspire the next generation, and perspectives on why it’s so important for diverse leaders to have a seat at the table. Through their own entrepreneurial and investment activities, these panelists will discuss lessons learned from their endeavors across Togethxr, Gotham FC, Deep Blue, A Touch More, MOSAIC, and more. The discussion will explore lessons learned as athletes and how they’re applying that acumen to effecting change through diverse leadership, influence, and how they use their power to enact positive changes within the sports industry. This is a can’t-miss discussion about the champions and changemakers who are shaping the future of sports, on and off-the-field, and ways that all of us can move the industry forward.