Elle Duncan, SportsCenter Anchor, ESPN

Jessica Berman, Commissioner, NWSL

Carolyn Tisch Blodgett, Founder & CEO, Next 3 Ventures and Governor, Gotham City FC

Lisa Bhathal Merage, Co-Founder & Managing Partner, RAJ Capital and Governor, Portland Thorns

Julie Uhrman, Co-Founder & President, Angel City FC

Moderated by Sherri Privitera, Senior Principal & Americas Regional Board Member, Populous

For generations of US women’s soccer fans, times have always been good. Now, they’re getting even better. New Yorkers around all five boroughs know: the champs are here. On the west coast, major sales including the Portland Thorns have dominated headlines. Angel City’s record $250 million valuation is a downright good investment according to soon-to-be owner Bob Iger. 

Oh…and Olympic gold? Been there, done that…again. Hear from the leaders at the center of women's soccer as they explore how leagues and teams are managing booming valuations and how abandoning the NWSL draft will shake up the league.

From viewership to ticket sales, the WNBA is bigger than ever. At the center of it all is Commissioner Cathy Engelbert, who has led the league since 2019.

In this intimate fireside chat, we’ll hear how she’s managing the current season with an eye toward the future. 

How is she managing the league’s rapid growth? How have new rising stars like Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese elevated the sport? What media and sponsorship deals can we expect next?

Zandria Conyers, SVP General Counsel, Portland Trail Blazers

Nichelle Nicholes Levy, VP Deputy General Counsel & Head of Privacy, NASCAR

Teri Smith, Chief Operating Officer, NFLPA

Moderated by Charles H. Baker, Partner & Co-Chair, Entertainment, Sports & Media, Sidley Austin LLP
 

Throughout the sports business landscape, one thing unites league owners and executives: rest assured, they’ve got a heck of a lawyer. 

This conversation with three of the best legal minds in the country working across the NBA, the NFLPA, and NASCAR, will share how they're structuring contracts and deals that shape the sports world.

How has the recent sports boom shaped the legal profession? What role are lawyers playing in shaping new media rights deals? What are the most pressing labor issues facing sports today?

Odessa Jenkins, Founder, Women's National Football Conference

Liz Moore, Chief Legal and Technology Officer, LPGA

Owen Scannell, Founder & CEO, Premier Rugby Sevens

Amy Scheer, SVP, Business Operations, PWHL

Moderated by Becki Wronko Civello, Chief Operating Officer, Next League
 

The global surge in women’s sports is undeniable. However, different leagues have their unique challenges and needs. 

In this sweeping conversation with leading executives across football, golf, rugby and hockey, we'll learn about their strategies driving revenue, growth, and media exposure.

After almost half a decade of growth, what’s next for the Women’s National Football Conference? How has Premier Rugby Sevens grown the sport in the U.S.? What business lessons has the PWHL learned after its first season? How is the LPGA capitalizing on new international investments into golf? 

Meghann Burke, Executive Director, NWSLPA

Jayne Appel Marinelli, SVP Player Relations, WNBPA

Megan Perry, Head of Basketball, Athletes Unlimited 

Becca Roux, Executive Director, USWNTPA and Board Member, ONE Team Partners

Moderated by Jasmine Robinson, Managing Partner, Monarch Collective 
 

Soccer and basketball are driving soaring interest and growth in the women's industry. How do those athletes reconcile with leagues and owners trying to grow their own assets? Collective bargaining with a diverse player group amid growing media rights and licensing revenue presents its own challenges. What are their biggest hurdles and how are they facing them?

Andrea Pascual, Vice President, Raine Group 

Robyn Slutzky, Vice President, Arctos Partners

Maddie Winslow, Vice President, Inner Circle Sports

Hear from some of the most influential financiers and experts working in sports today. 

From fundraising like a tech startup to handling private equity investment and the advent of the limited partner "premium," learn about the revised approach to sports finance as an asset class.

What are the latest trends and tendencies across women’s sports? How have macroeconomic conditions like interest rates, elections and inflation affected dealmaking? How are women’s sports viewed in the broader asset class of sports- and why are major signs “flashing green?”

Keia Clarke, President, New York Liberty

Christina Francis, President, Magic Johnson Enterprises

Moderated by Kristin Bernert, Advisor & Co-Chair, Athlete Advisory Council, Deep Blue Sports + Entertainment
 

This discussion with some of the most in demand owners in sports will offer an inside perspective and lessons learned from navigating a time of unprecedented growth.

How are they scaling their organizations to meet the moment? What are the biggest challenges to managing heightened expectations? What new investments need to be made - and where? 

Camille Buxeda, Director of Women's Basketball, Octagon 

Jade-Li English, Agent, Klutch Sports

Erin Kane, Agent, Excel Sports Management

Moderated by Jessica Holtz, Co-Head of Basketball, CAA Sports

Behind the scenes, today’s agents are managing the biggest partnerships and contracts in sports. 

They’re also playing a significant role managing the growth of women’s leagues around the world and players are finding themselves with more control than ever before. 

How are agents advising athletes in today's environment. Should I stay for NIL or should I go pro? Hear from top reps about the challenges and opportunities unique to the modern athlete. 

Karen Brodkin, Co-Head, WME Sports

Rebecca Dyer, Director of Business Development & Sales, Genius Sports

Julie Sobieski, SVP, League Programming & Acquisitions, ESPN

Moderated by Kelly Pracht, Co-Founder & CEO, nVenue
 

Viewership has soared, setting records for softball, basketball, soccer and more. Hear about the strategies, software and data that's powering it all. 

To capitalize on the unprecedented interest, executives across networks like ESPN, agencies like Endeavor, and tech firms like Genius Sports are utilizing the latest strategies, software, and data to fuel the women's sports rocketship. 

What new advertising streams have been most successful? What surprising data can we learn about record ratings? How are they leveraging media across different digital and traditional platforms? 

Tracy Hughes, VP, Women's and The Collective, Wasserman

Emily Sisson, SVP, Sponsorships, Athlete and Partner Marketing, ONE Team Partners

Moderated by Kerry Bradley, SVP, Strategy, Horizon Sports & Experiences

Traditional advertisers - and some unexpected new ones - are finding exciting new opportunities in women's sports to reach consumers. With major brands piling in, it's no surprise that women's sports has seen a 22% increase in sponsorship deals.

At the center of these new investments are marketing and strategy executives leading women’s sports to new heights. They’ll join us on stage to learn what new partnerships have been most successful, most innovative,-and most surprising. 

Terri Jackson has transformed the union - and she's not done yet.

Under her leadership, she navigated major issues utilizing her skills as an accomplished lawyer, including league salaries, benefits, and of course, extraordinary new attention and growth. Raising NBA star Jaren Jackson Jr. is just a footnote in her storied career.

What’s next for Terri and the WNBA? What are the union’s short and long term priorities? How has the union changed its approach as valuations and interest rise?