SSAC

Moderator: Contessa Brewer

Panelists: Jonathan Kraft, Mark Shapiro

What will the sports industry look like in 2045? In this forward-thinking conversation, Jonathan Kraft and Mark Shapiro will explore the forces shaping the next generation of sports—from mega-events like the World Cup and Olympics to the future of live entertainment and hospitality, and the growing role of private and public capital in shaping teams and leagues. Jonathan Kraft has led the redefinition of sports property ownership across multiple leagues, real estate development, analytics, and embracing technology to drive differentiation. Mark Shapiro’s innovation from ESPN to Endeavor to TKO has changed the connectivity of entertainment, leagues, and the fan experience. Learn what trends they saw leading to the strategic decisions which led to changes in how the sports world operates. Understand what they see ahead with athlete-performance, financing/valuation, up ‘n coming sports, and the role of analytics across all aspects of the sports world. More specifically, how will venue infrastructure change and what will the lines between live events, media, and technology be when defining the ultimate fan experience in the decades ahead? Join two of the most influential leaders in sports as they break down the evolution of the industry, sharing insights on where the biggest opportunities lie and what challenges the business of sports will face in the future.

Moderator: Bill Connelly

Panelists: Lorrissa Horton, Scott Pioli, Kevin Demoff

Increasingly, NFL organizations are becoming more data-centric, and as a result, so has the role of the Front Office. See through the eyes of NFL executives whose franchises are on the leading edge as they discuss the role of data analytics on free agency/draft strategy, prospective player evaluation, play calling on the field, organization of weekly preparations for game day, and managing athlete workload. 

Moderator: Pablo Torre

Panelists: Sendhil Mullainathan, Daryl Morey

As AI continues to reshape industries, its impact on sports is only beginning to be understood. Economist and behavioral scientist Sendhil Mullainathan and Daryl Morey join Pablo Torre Finds Out for an in-depth discussion on how AI can expand human capacity in sports, not by replacing human intuition and expertise, but by enhancing decision-making, strategy, and performance.Rather than merely automating scouting reports or game-day decisions, AI can serve as a powerful tool for reflection and learning—helping athletes identify patterns in their play, coaches uncover hidden strategic opportunities, and front offices refine their decision-making processes. Should teams rely on AI-driven scouting, or should these systems be designed to work alongside human evaluators, amplifying their insights? Can AI help players recognize critical mistakes in real time and develop strategies to adapt? And how do we ensure technology strengthens competition rather than diminishing its human essence?This panel will move beyond the hype, exploring AI’s true potential to act as a “bicycle for the mind” in sports—an augmentation of human intelligence that enables athletes, coaches, and teams to push the limits of their capabilities.

Moderator: Erin Kelly

Panelists: Mike Shane, Jeff Heaton, Emily Johnson, Kari Gritton

The most fundamental fan experience in sports is in a seat watching your favorite team live. This panel brings together top ticketing voices to explore the evolving landscape of how fans buy, sell, and experience live events. Experts from across the ticketing landscape will share insights on innovations in ticketing strategy, from dynamic pricing and distribution to personalized fan engagement. As technology advances and consumer expectations shift, panelists will discuss how teams, venues, and platforms are adapting to maximize both revenue and accessibility. With perspectives spanning major league sports and emerging markets, this session will offer a deep dive into the trends shaping the future of live event ticketing.

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.

Moderator: Alex Edelman

Panelists: Nate Silver, Jessica Gelman, Daryl Morey

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?

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.

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.

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.