SSAC

The Globalization of Soccer

Moderator: Saj Cherian

Panelists: Scott Krase, Brian Bilello, Matt Hulsizer
The global soccer landscape has undergone seismic shifts in recent years. Multi team/sport ownership groups have permeated top soccer leagues - sports conglomerates now control five of the esteemed "Big Six" Premier League clubs as well as various other teams around the world. Simultaneously, the world's premier talent is no longer concentrated exclusively in Europe and South America, as some of the sport's biggest stars like Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo are choosing to play in burgeoning soccer markets. In the US, the MLS continues to grow in stature both domestically and abroad as the NWSL, the world's leading women's soccer league, faces increasing competition from the rise of the WSL. These developments are unfolding as we approach the 2026 World Cup, which will bring the attention of the global soccer community back to the US for the first time in over 30 years. Amid this backdrop, what steps are soccer clubs taking to capitalize on these trends both on and off the pitch? Hear from some of the world’s most prominent soccer club leaders as they discuss the strategies they are deploying in pursuit of supremacy within the global game. #GlobalizationOfSoccer

Fostering Fanatics: 1-on-1 with Michael Rubin

Moderator: Jessica Gelman

Panelist: Michael Rubin

Michael Rubin, a connector of people, has transformed the way athletes and entertainers engage with businesses, leagues, and each other. As Founder and CEO of Fanatics, he has revolutionized the sports apparel business, quickly becoming a premier partner with many top entities. With an expansive rolodex and Fanatics sitting at the center of the ecosystem, Michael has a finger on the pulse of the global sports and entertainment landscape. Join Michael as he sits down with Jessica Gelman for an engaging discussion on future disruptions, globalization of sports, and the future of Fanatics. #FosteringFanatics

Entering a New Reality: The Future of Live Events

Moderator: Allison Katz Mayfield

Panelists: Liz Lindsey, Paul Caine, Robert Thacker

The phrase “live sporting event” has taken on a new meaning in recent years. Gone are the days when fans simply showed up to a stadium to watch a game. Fans now have a myriad of avenues for entertainment and engagement when visiting a sporting event. Hospitality and premium experiences have been redefined by significant enhancements to curated event packages, behind-the-scenes access, and white glove service. Sporting events now feature a wide array of improved seating, dining, and experiential options that are more customizable and accessible than ever before. The introduction of next-generation venues like shared reality event spaces will further alter the live viewing experience and enable fans to enjoy sporting events in new ways. Amid this changing landscape, what will fans of today and tomorrow demand from live sporting events? How can industry leaders in hospitality, event management, immersive experiences, and property marketing deliver on these expectations? Join executives from OnLocation, AEG, Cosm, and Wasserman as they discuss the latest trends and outlook for the future of live events. #LiveEvents

The Power of Sports

Moderator: Cassidy Hubbarth

Panelists: Megan Rapinoe, Nate Silver, Jessica Gelman

Sports serve as a unifying force and catalyst for change. Sports possess the ability to uplift communities through athlete-driven philanthropy, team engagement in community development, and league initiatives including international outreach. From trailblazers like Jackie Robinson and Jesse Owens breaking down racial barriers to contemporary icons such as Megan Rapinoe and the USWNT championing gender equality, the influence of sports on society transcends mere competition. This panel will discuss what has made sports shift so meaningfully in impact over the past decade. As athletes and sports organizations continue to expand their impact, there arises a need to measure and expand this impact. Join Megan Rapinoe, Nate Silver, and Jessica Gelman in the closing panel of SSAC24 as they delve into the profound influence and evolution of the sports industry.

Evolution of Basketball Analytics: 20 Years of Nerds, Data, & Efficiency

Moderator: Ben Alamar

Panelists: Dean Oliver, Brittni Donaldson, Mike Zarren

In the dynamic landscape of modern basketball, analytics has emerged as a cornerstone, fundamentally altering the way the game is played, analyzed, and strategized. This panel will delve into the emergence of basketball analytics from its initiation to its current essential role in today's basketball paradigm. The discussion seamlessly intertwines the historical origins with the contemporary significance of basketball analytics, showcasing its transformative journey within the sport, from its humble origins to its current status as a game-changer in the NBA and professional basketball. Navigating pivotal milestones, influential figures, and driving forces, the panel examines the profound impact analytics has on various facets of the sport, from front office strategies, coaching methodologies, player development, and beyond. This session promises to captivate enthusiasts, industry professionals, and basketball aficionados alike, offering valuable insights into the significance of analytics in shaping the past, present, and future of basketball strategy and performance. #EvolutionOfBasketball

A New Generation: The Next Era of College Athletics

Moderator: Warren Zola

Panelists: Martin Jarmond, Val Ackerman, Brian Higgins

The world of college athletics has seen seismic shifts in recent weeks and years. The introduction of NIL compensation has altered the recruiting landscape across sports, media rights are evolving the exposure of college sports, and conference realignment is changing the college sports experience for student-athletes, universities, and their fans. This panel will delve into the impact of these changes to date and what they could mean for the future of college athletics. Hear from Big East Commissioner Val Ackerman, UCLA Athletic Director Martin Jarmond, COO of NIL consulting firm Altius Tommy Gray, and NCAA SVP of Business Performance Brian Higgins as they discuss the latest developments across college sports and where we go from here. #NewGeneration

Stats to Stanley Cups: Building Successful NHL Teams

Moderator: Arda Ocal 

Panelists: Meghan Chayka, Tyler Dellow, P.K. Subban, Jacqueline Davidson

There's a changing of the guard underway in the NHL, with legendary superstars entering the twilight of their careers and a new crop of generational talents on the way up. As this new era of the NHL gets underway, how are front office executives thinking about roster construction? What's the balance between analytics and eye test? How do you construct a roster that can handle the grind of the regular season while making sure you have a team that's built to succeed in the playoffs? From the player’s perspective, how is this next generation of NHL athletes thinking about analytics to improve their game, scout opposing teams and maximize their recovery? Come find out all this and more from 13 year NHL veteran PK Subban, NHL front office executives Brett Peterson and Tyler Delllow and Stathletes Co-Founder and CEO Meghan Chayka. #StatsToStanleyCups

Behind the Scenes in Sports Negotiating: What the Fans & Media Don't Get to See

Moderator: Deepak Malhotra

Panelists: Daryl Morey, Monte McNair, Nico Harrison

Presidents and GMs of professional sports teams are responsible for a lot of decisions, but nothing gets more attention, discussion, debate, and criticism from fans and the media than the trades they make (or fail to make) as they try to build a title contender. The fact is, even the most ardent fan or sophisticated analyst has no visibility on what really happens in these deals – or why certain decisions were made. How do these parties actually interact and battle it out behind closed doors? What are the pressures and constraints that dealmakers face that are not visible to those on the outside? Why is there often a discrepancy between what fans want, analysts advise, and teams actually do? This panel will bring together NBA executives Nico Harrison, Dennis Lindsey, Monte McNair, and Daryl Morey to discuss the inner workings of building a championship-level team from the perspective of an executive and give you a lens on what actually happens behind the scenes. #Negotiations

Fanalytics: Fan Engagement in a Virtual and Global World

Moderator: Alison Overholt

Panelists: Kat Frederick, Tim Clark, Carolyn Tisch

There are more ways than ever for fans and organizations to engage and interact, both digitally and in-person. By extending the game day experience and connecting more broadly with fully virtual viewing opportunities, sports organizations have an abundance of options to reach more fans in new and different ways. However, maximizing fan attention and engagement remains a challenge in a world where so many alternatives exist. This panel will delve into the ways that organizations foster authentic and long lasting fan engagement and how they differentiate in their local market while globalizing their brand. Panelists will also discuss the increasing role of technology and who owns the fan data along with the growing need for analytics to connect sports and fans. #fanalytics

Competing on Sports Ownership

Moderator: Contessa Brewer
Panelists: Gerry Cardinale, Rich Kleiman, Steve Pagliuca

In recent years, the sports world has seen massive changes in ownership structures, portfolio approaches across leagues and geographies, control vs. minority, and the role of content in driving value. Hear from change agents Gerry Cardinale, Steve Pagliuca, and Rich Kleiman on their strategies, views, and lessons they've learned in the industry. This panel will highlight the changing nature of sports ownership and how each panelist has managed their investments. The panelists will discuss the ways in which the ownership of assets across different sports can generate competitive advantages. They will also dive into how franchises think about engaging fan bases both domestically and internationally, including the role of media networks and partnerships, as well as future trends in the global sports industry as they relate to ownership and sports content #SportsOwnership