SSAC

Cutting Through the Static: Model-Driven Decision-Making

Moderator: Katie Hodel

Panelists: Karlis Kezbers, Keith Goldner, Nicole Pelaez-Dandrea, Branden Moore

In an era where data is king, predictive modeling has become a critical tool for decision-making both on and off the field. From optimizing player performance and game strategy to enhancing fan engagement and business operations, predictive models shape the way organizations in sports operate. However, the path to building, testing, and deploying these models is filled with challenges, including structuring data science teams for success, designing and optimizing data systems, ensuring model accuracy, and understanding the broader implications of data-driven decision-making. This panel brings together experts from leading sports and entertainment companies to discuss the evolving landscape of predictive modeling, the biggest hurdles they face, and the innovations shaping the future of analytics in sports. Join us for an in-depth conversation on how model-driven decision-making is transforming the sports industry.

Big Data Energy

Moderator: Alex Edelman

Panelists: Nate Silver, Jessica Gelman, Daryl Morey

The NCAA's Newest Power Players: The Rise of the GM

Moderator: Michael Lewis

Panelists: Andrew Luck, Adrian Wojnarowski

The NCAA has entered a new era - one shaped by NIL, the transfer portal, and a talent market that looks more like free agency than the traditional recruiting of the past. As the landscape shifts, programs are adapting by introducing General Managers, a role long associated with professional sports but now critical to navigating college athletics. In this discussion, Andrew Luck (GM, Stanford Football) and Adrian Wojnarowski (GM, St. Bonaventure Basketball), explore how front-office leadership is evolving at the college level. What separates a great college GM from their professional counterparts? How do you balance player recruitment and retention when the rules change by the year? And as college sports become increasingly commercialized, how do these new decision-makers shape the future of the game?

NCAA 2.0: What's Next?

Moderator: Michael McCann

Panelists: Oliver Luck, Mark Jackson, Brian Higgins

As college athletics enters a transformative era, a landmark NCAA settlement could reshape player compensation, conference dynamics, and the future of the NCAA itself. This panel brings together leading voices from sports governance and business strategy to explore the implications of direct athlete payments, revenue sharing, and evolving financial models. Panelists will discuss how schools should adapt to a salary cap environment, the role of the NCAA as a governing body, and the impact on competitive balance between large and small programs. The conversation will also examine conference realignment, private equity’s growing influence in college sports, and data-driven decision-making for long-term NCAA sustainability. With major financial and structural shifts on the horizon, this discussion will provide insights into what lies ahead for college athletics and the future of the NCAA.

Inside Stories: The Era of Athlete-Driven Content

Moderator: Shira Springer 

Panelists: Constance Schwartz-Morini, Megan Rapinoe, Marie Donoghue

Increasingly, leading sports figures are telling their stories and connecting directly through athlete-led podcasts, documentaries, and other content that indicates athlete power and changes to sports media approaches. Underscoring this trend is a growing interest from fans to go beyond broadcasted games and into the personal lives and perspectives of athletes. From Jason Kelce to David Beckham to Simone Biles, athletes are finding themselves in the producer chair to both commercially and artistically drive these projects. Hear from figures who saw these opportunities early on at the forefront of this movement, and how new mediums are impacting brand building, influence, and the ability to craft their narratives. Hear what has worked, understand the risks of saturation, who has been bypassed, and how things are evolving around athlete-driven content hold.

The Next Generation of Venues

Moderator: Bret McCormick

Panelists: Mark Jackson, Bill Hanway, Darren Ross, Fran Weld 

Sports real estate has evolved into a powerful tool for fan engagement, urban revitalization, and the creation of innovative revenue streams. No longer just venues for games, modern sports facilities are driving economic growth, fostering community connections, and redefining the spectator experience. From the urban regeneration sparked by projects like the Intuit Dome to groundbreaking stadium designs like Ryan Field's year-round usability and the Dodgers' integration of historic preservation with cutting-edge upgrades, today's projects are setting new benchmarks for innovation. These spaces blend sustainability, inclusivity, and multifunctionality, offering tailored fan experiences and unlocking new revenue opportunities. How can sports real estate continue to balance architectural ingenuity with economic and social impact? Join leaders from Northwestern University, AECOM, Canopy Team, and Wasserman as they discuss the transformative potential of sports venues in shaping the future.

Building Sports Empires with an Entrepreneurial Edge: Michele Kang and Gerry Cardinale

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.

'The Deal' featuring David Blitzer hosted by Alex Rodriguez and Jason Kelly

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.

Chasing Greatness A Conversation with GMs Across 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.

The Future of Sports Business

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.