2025 AGENDA
MONDAY, APRIL 21, 2025
7:30-9:30 PM
Welcome Reception
Hosted by Ticketmaster
Music Provider: Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp./Music City
Level 2 – Grand Hall Foyer & Terrace
TUESDAY, APRIL 22, 2025
7:15 AM
Registration, Badge Pick Up & Breakfast Begins for World Congress CONNECT Participants
CONNECT hosted by Monumental Sports & Entertainment
Level 2 – Grand Foyer
7:45-8:45 AM
World Congress CONNECT
A structured networking and information sharing session open to the first 200 attendees who sign up to participate.
Level 2 – Grand Hall
Facilitators:
Dan Kaufman, Managing Director, Sports Business Journal
Jim Van Stone, President, Business Operations & Chief Commercial Officer, Monumental Sports & Entertainment
8:15 AM
Registration, Badge Pick Up & Breakfast Begins for All Attendees
Hosted by TFL
Level 2 – Grand Foyer
(Attendees will be directed to Level 4 – Summit Foyer for Breakfast)
8:15-9:00 AM
Breakfast
Hosted by Nashville Super Speedway
Music Provider: Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp./Music City
Level 4 – Summit Foyer
9:00 AM
Welcome & Opening Remarks
Level 4 – Summit Ballroom
Abe Madkour, Publisher & Executive Editor, Sports Business Journal
The Honorable Bill Lee, 50th Governor of Tennessee
9:20 AM
Top of the Agenda: Industry Issues You Need to be Watching Now
Panelists include:
Sarah Hirshland, CEO, U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee
Candice Storey Lee, Vice Chancellor, Athletics and University Affairs & Athletic Director, Vanderbilt University
Mark Marshall, Chairman, Global Advertising and Partnerships, NBCUniversal
Jamie Obletz, Group President, Delaware North Sportservice and Patina Restaurant Group
Nadia Rawlinson, Co-Owner, Operating Chairman & League Governor, Chicago Sky
Moderator: Ben Fischer, Staff Writer, Sports Business Journal
10:00 AM
Conversation with a Commissioner
Adam Silver, Commissioner, NBA
Guest Moderator: Bob Myers, Studio and In-Game Analyst, ESPN and ABC
10:30 AM
Networking Break
Hosted by Nashville Predators
11:00 AM
Two Brothers: A One-of-a-Kind Conversation – Leadership, the Future of the Sports Business and Two Different Paths to Team Ownership
Bill Haslam, Chairman & Owner, Nashville Predators; former Governor of Tennessee
Jimmy Haslam, Chairman & Managing Partner, Haslam Sports Group
Guest Moderator: Joe Leccese, Chairman Emeritus, Proskauer
11:35 AM
Conversation with a Commissioner
Rob Manfred, Commissioner, MLB
Moderator: Joe Lemire, Senior Writer, Sports Business Journal
12:05-1:25 PM
Networking Luncheon
Hosted by Proskauer
Level 2 - Grand Hall
12:55-1:25 PM
Conversation with a Commissioner
Level 2 - Grand Hall
Greg Sankey, Commissioner, SEC
Moderator: Rachel Axon, Staff Writer, Sports Business Journal
1:40 PM
Champions of Sports Business
Level 4 – Summit Ballroom
THE 2025 CLASS:
Dave Checketts
Ross Greenburg
Carmen Policy
Gene Smith
Carol Stiff
Frank Vuono
2:30 PM
Featured Interview
Bob Iger, CEO, The Walt Disney Company
Guest Moderator: Jimmy Pitaro, Chairman, ESPN
Session Introduction: Lara Spencer, Co-Host, Good Morning America. Creator, Executive Producer & Host, Flea Market Flip
3:00 PM
Partner Insight Segment: Don’t Think. Feel. Harness Technology to Move Audiences
John Roberson, CEO & Chief Cheerleader, Advent
3:20 PM
Networking Break
Hosted by PGA of America
3:50 PM
The Business Operators: Balancing Scale and Success
Panelists include:
Tom Garfinkel, CEO, Miami Dolphins and Hard Rock Stadium and Managing Partner, F1 Miami Grand Prix
Sam Kennedy, Partner, CEO, Fenway Sports Group
Nick Khan, President, WWE; Board Member, TKO Group
Howie Nuchow, Co-Head, CAA Sports
Rick Welts, CEO, Dallas Mavericks
Moderator: Abe Madkour, Publisher & Executive Editor, Sports Business Journal
4:30 PM
Harnessing the Power of Female Fandom
Lily Checketts Shimbashi, Founder, Sports.ish
Session Introduction: Dave Checketts, 2025 SBJ Champion
4:45 PM
The Brand Imperative: Aligning Partnerships with Business Objectives
Andrea Fairchild, SVP, Global Sponsorship Strategy, VISA
Peter Giorgi, SVP, Brand Marketing, Partnerships, and Creative Excellence, Rocket
Kristin Shaff, Global Director, Strategic Partnerships, AWS
Guest Moderator: Nick Thimm, Board Member, Sports Property Sales and Talent Sales Agent, CAA Sports
5:20 PM
Next Gen Links: Anatomy of the TGL Launch and Season Number One
Mike McCarley, Founder & CEO, TMRW Sports and TGL
Rosalyn Durant, Executive VP, Programming and Acquisitions, ESPN
Don Cornwell, Co-Founder & CEO, Dynasty Equity; TMRW Sports Investor
Alexis Ohanian, Founder, Seven Seven Six; Founding Control Owner, Angel City FC, Los Angeles Golf Club, and Athlos
Moderator: Chris Smith, Staff Writer, Sports Business Journal
6:00-7:15 PM
Networking Reception
Hosted by Deloitte
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 23, 2025
7:15 AM
Registration
Hosted by TFL
Level 2 – Grand Foyer
7:15-8:30 AM
Breakfast
Hosted by Nashville Soccer Club
8:30 AM
Opening Remarks
Abe Madkour, Publisher & Executive Editor, Sports Business Journal
8:45 AM
Sports Business 2025 and Beyond
Panelists include:
Ian Ayre, Vice Chairman, Nashville Soccer Club
Jordan Bazant, EVP, FOX Sports
Kirsten Corio, Chief Commercial Officer, USTA
Bill Daly, Deputy Commissioner, NHL
Derek Schiller, President & CEO, Atlanta Braves
Moderator: Rachel Axon, Staff Writer, Sports Business Journal
9:25 AM
Partner Insight Segment:
Focus on What Matters Most - An AI Playbook that will Empower you to Drive Impact Faster
Scott Michaels, Chief Product Officer, Apply Digital
Lauren Milne, Chief Strategy Officer, Apply Digital
9:45 AM
The Powerbrokers: Investment Opportunities in Sports
David Blitzer, Global Head, Blackstone Tactical Ops; Co-Founder & Managing Partner, Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment
Michael Klein, Founder, M. Klein & Co.; Board Member, CAA Evolution
Doc O’Connor, Managing Partner & Co-Founder, Arctos Partners
Moderator: Chris Smith, Staff Writer, Sports Business Journal
10:15 AM
Networking Break
Hosted by Tennessee Department of Tourist Development
10:45 AM
CMOs in the Spotlight
Garth Knutson, SVP & Chief Marketing Officer, Aflac
Lauren Stafford Webb, Chief Marketing Officer, SoFi
Guest Moderator: Liz Gray, Global Co-Head, CAA Brand Consulting
11:20 AM
Partner Insight Segment:
Boldyn, NYCFC and the Future of Sports and Entertainment Districts
Jennifer O’Sullivan, Chief Operating Officer, New York City FC
Jason Caliento, Chief Commercial Officer, Boldyn Networks
11:40 AM
Building Sports & Entertainment Platforms
Panelists include:
Noah Garden, Deputy Commissioner, Business & Media, MLB
Todd Goldstein, Chief Revenue Officer, AEG
Burke Nihill, President & CEO, Tennessee Titans
Steve O’Donnell, President, NASCAR
Moderator: Joe Lemire, Senior Writer, Sports Business Journal
12:15-2:00 PM
