2026 AGENDA
*Subject to Change
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 17
5:40 PM
Media Innovators and Dealmakers in Sports Co-Networking Reception
Hosted by:
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 18
8:00 AM
Registration Opens | Continental Breakfast & Networking
8:15 AM
SBJ Connect: Structured Networking
SBJ Connect: Structured Networking is a facilitated networking experience focused on:
- Connecting attendees through guided conversations and topic-driven discussions
- Sharing insights and exchanging ideas
- Building lasting professional relationships in a structured yet relaxed setting
9:15 AM
Welcome & Opening Comments
Abraham Madkour, Publisher & Executive Editor, Sports Business Journal
9:25 AM
Follow the Capital: What Today's Investors Are Betting on in Sports
Marc Allera, Chair, Global Sport Group, CVC
Assia Grazioli-Venier, Founding Partner, Muse Capital
Steven Justman, Operating Advisor, Goldman Sachs; Board Member, Excel Sports Management, TAIT & Cirque du Soleil; Board of Advisors, Fever
Michael Lasalle, Co-President & Partner, Shamrock Capital
9:55 AM
Building the PGA Tour’s Next Chapter: A Conversation with Brian Rolapp
Brian Rolapp, CEO & Incoming Commissioner, PGA Tour
10:25 AM
Networking Break
Hosted by:
10:55 AM
Sports as an Asset Class: Three Perspectives
Zachary Leonsis, President & Vice Chairman, Monumental Sports & Entertainment
Eric Menell, Global Head, Media & Communications Investment Banking, J.P. Morgan
Jordan Solomon, Partner & Co-Founder, Arctos Partners
11:25 AM
Building What's Next in Sports: An Investor, Entrepreneur and Team Owner's Perspective
Carolyn Tisch Blodgett, Founder & CEO, Next 3; Lead Owner & Governor, Gotham FC; Co-Owner, New York Giants
11:55 AM
The Business of Innovation: What It Takes to Build and Scale a Breakthrough Company
Jess Brodsky, CEO, PlayerData
Andy Tabrizi, CEO, Recentive
Victorien Tixier, CEO, ScorePlay
12:25 PM
Networking Lunch
Hosted by:
1:40 PM
From the Minors to the Majors: Building Value at Every Level of the Game
Ken Babby, Co-Owner & CEO, Tampa Bay Rays
2:10 PM
Why Investors Are Betting Big on Youth Sports
Chad Gruen, CEO, 3STEP
Alex Michael, Senior Managing Director; Global Head, Sports & Entertainment, LionTree
2:40 PM
Industry Insight
3:00 PM
Networking Break
3:30 – 4:50 PM
In-Depth Forums
Forum I: From Arena to Asset Class: The Next Phase of Sports Investment
3:30 – 4:10 PM
College Sports as a Development Anchor
Sean Decker, President, REV Entertainment
Danny Lovell, CEO, Rainier
Guy Patton, President, University of Oklahoma Foundation
4:10 – 4:50 PM
Creative Capital: Financing the Next Generation of Sports Infrastructure
Forum II: Undervalued and Ascending: Where Investors Are Placing Their Bets
3:30 – 4:10 PM
What Investors Now See in Women’s Sports
Ben Fund, Partner, Private Credit Investments, Carlyle
Cole Greenberg, Vice President, Sixth Street Partners
Brian Lasky, Sr. Managing Director; Sports Strategy, Avenue Capital Group
Maddie Winslow, Advisor, Inner Circle Sports
4:10 – 4:50 PM
Structuring Investment in Emerging Leagues
Vishal Gandhi, Managing Director, Ares
Tory Palmer, Head, Direct Investing, Bolt Ventures
Julia Wittlin, Partner, RedBird Capital Partners
5:00 PM
Closing Cocktail Reception
6:00 PM
