Investment in sports goes far beyond teams and players. Sports franchises have become the big-brand centerpieces to global platform companies with tentacles that encompass adjacent industries like finance, big tech, real estate and media.
Sportico’s “Invest in Sports” will examine the who, what and why behind a once mom-and-pop industry that’s experiencing a global explosion. With capital finding women’s sports, youth sports and universities like never before, “Invest in Sports” is here to cut through the clutter and jargon for a clear and concise examination of what’s happening in the industry. Register here today!
Program highlights include:
- A Keynote Conversation with Mellody Hobson: Trailblazing investor and part-owner of the Denver Broncos, Mellody Hobson, will share her perspective on ownership equity, private capital’s role in shaping sports, and the importance of long-term, values-driven investment. Drawing on her corporate leadership and financial expertise, Hobson offers unparalleled insight into leading and investing at the highest level.
- Inside the CFO Suite: What goes into managing the finances of a multi-billion-dollar sports league in a time of transformation? In this conversation, Christine Dorfler, Chief Financial Officer of the NFL, and David Haber, Chief Financial Officer of the NBA, take us inside the C-suite to explore how today’s top financial executives are steering two of the world’s most valuable sports properties. From media rights and private equity to global expansion, infrastructure investment, and long-term planning, this session dives into how CFOs are balancing innovation, risk, and resilience.
- Bay Area Game Changers: True to the spirit of the Bay Area, San Francisco 49ers CEO Jed York and 49ers President and Elevate Sports CEO Al Guido are blending tech, strategy, and sport to pioneer the future of the fan and franchise experience. Join us as they pull back the curtain on what it takes to build not just a championship-caliber franchise, but a business empire rooted in performance and long-term vision. From Levi’s® Stadium’s pioneering technology to bold investments in fan experience, real estate, and sports tech, York and Guido have positioned the 49ers as a launchpad for the next wave of innovation in global sports.
- Liga MX Spotlight: Liga MX, one of the most-watched soccer leagues in the world, sits at a pivotal intersection of growth, investment, and cross-border collaboration. In this exclusive panel, Liga MX President Mikel Arriola, and two owners, Alejandro Irarragorri (Santos Laguna, Atlas) and Al Tylis (Club Necaxa) come together to explore the league’s evolving commercial landscape, its strategic push toward the U.S. market, and the growing synergy with MLS through Leagues Cup and beyond.
- Betting on Growth: As the former Governor of New Jersey, Chris Christie led the legal battle that culminated in the Supreme Court’s 2018 decision to overturn PASPA — a move that opened the door to legal sports betting nationwide. In this conversation, Christie will reflect on that landmark moment, the explosive growth of the sports betting industry, and what’s next as regulators, leagues, and investors grapple with questions of integrity, innovation, and consumer behavior.
Additional programming and speakers will be announced leading up to the event.
Invest in Sports is presented in partnership with industry leaders Inner Circle Sports, ScorePlay, Ropes & Gray, Omega Sports Holding, Sportradar, Intersport and Davis Polk.
