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
8:15 AM
Registration, Badge Pick Up & Breakfast Begins for All Attendees
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
9:20 AM
Top of the Agenda: Industry Issues You Need to be Watching Now
Panelists include:
Sarah Hirshland, CEO, USOPC
Lloyd Howell, Executive Director, NFLPA
Candice Storey Lee, Vice Chancellor, Athletics and University Affairs & Athletic Director, Vanderbilt University
Jamie Obletz, Group President, Delaware North Sportservice and Patina Restaurant Group
Nadia Rawlinson, Co-Owner, Operating Chairman & League Governor, Chicago Sky
10:00 AM
Conversation with a Commissioner
Adam Silver, Commissioner, NBA
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
12:05-1:25 PM
Networking Luncheon
Hosted by Proskauer
Level 2 - Grand Hall
12:55-1:25 PM
Conversation with a Commissioner
Greg Sankey, Commissioner, SEC
Level 2 - Grand Hall
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
3:00 PM
Partner Insight Segment - Advent
3:20 PM
Networking Break
Hosted by PGA of America
3:50 PM
The Business Operators: Balancing Scale and Success
Panelists include:
Howie Nuchow, Co-Head, CAA Sports
Nick Khan, President, WWE; Board Member, TKO Group
Rick Welts, CEO, Dallas Mavericks
Sam Kennedy, Partner, Fenway Sports Group
Tom Garfinkel, Vice Chairman, President and CEO, Miami Dolphins and Hard Rock Stadium
4:30 PM
Harnessing the Power of Female Fandom
Lily Checketts Shimbashi, Founder, Sports.ish
4:45 PM
The Brand Imperative: Aligning Partnerships with Business Objectives
Andrea Fairchild, SVP, Global Sponsorship Strategy, VISA
Peter Giorgi, SVP, Brand Marketing and Creative Excellence, Rocket Mortgage
Kristin Shaff, Global Director, Strategic Partnerships, AWS
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
6:00-7:15 PM
Networking Reception
Hosted by Deloitte
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 23, 2025
7:15 AM
Registration
Level 2 – Grand Foyer
7:15-8:30 AM
Breakfast
Hosted by Nashville Soccer Club
8:30 AM
Opening Remarks
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
9:25 AM
Partner Insight Segment - Apply Digital
9:40 AM
The Powerbrokers: Investment Opportunities in Sports
David Blitzer, Global Head, Blackstone Tactical Ops Founder; Managing Partner, Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment
Michael Klein, Founder, M. Klein & Co.
Doc O’Connor, Managing Partner & Co-Founder, Arctos Partners
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
11:20 AM
Partner Insight - Boldyn Networks
11:40 AM
Building Sports & Entertainment Platforms
Panelists include:
Mary Ellen Coe, Chief Business Officer, YouTube
Todd Goldstein, Chief Revenue Officer, AEG
Burke Nihill, President & CEO, Tennessee Titans
Steve O’Donnell, Chief Operating Officer, NASCAR
12:15-3:00 PM
