2019 Fall Forum

October 18, 2019

The McIntire School of Commerce and the School’s PricewaterhouseCoopers Center for Innovation in Professional Services presented the 2019 Fall Forum: “The Business of Sports.”

The sports universe is changing by the day—as is the big business behind it. From apps that let us find the next superstar and watch multiple games in real time to AI that learns what energizes the public most, some of the most gripping action is taking place outside of the game. At the McIntire School of Commerce’s 2019 Fall Forum, “The Business of Sports,” attendees discovered how technology, analytics, in-seat entertainment, global brand expansion—and nearly everything in between—are shaping the strategy to outpace the competition and keep fans coming back for more.

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver and McIntire Dean Carl Zeithaml kicked off the Forum with a keynote conversation. Following their talk, TaxDay Founder and President (and former MLB Executive Vice President and CFO) Jonathan Mariner and McIntire Associate Professor Nicole Montgomery moderated discussions with seasoned sports professionals and alums who offered their expert insight on the evolving landscape and disruption within the industry.

Welcome and Introduction
Carl P. Zeithaml, John A. Griffin Dean, McIntire School of Commerce

Keynote: A Conversation with Adam Silver
Adam Silver, Commissioner, National Basketball Association
Carl P. Zeithaml, John A. Griffin Dean, McIntire School of Commerce

Panel #1: The Evolution of Sports: Insights from the Inside
Across all professional sports, teams and leagues are expanding efforts to enhance the fan experience online, at home, and at the game to outpace their competition and engage fans in new and exciting ways. This in-depth discussion with top executives examined the evolving landscape of watching and interacting with professional sports.

Moderator: Jonathan Mariner (McIntire ’76), Founder and President, TaxDay LLC; former Executive Vice President and CFO, Major League Baseball

Jeff Agoos (McIntire ’91), Senior Vice President of Competition, Operations, and Medical Administration, Major League Soccer
Valerie J. Camillo (McIntire ’95, Darden ’00), President of Business Operations, Philadelphia Flyers and Wells Fargo Center
Jeff Dunn (McIntire ’01), Vice President, Business Strategy & Analytics, Seattle Seahawks
Mary Owen (McIntire ’00), Founder and President, MMO Capital LLC; Life Trustee, Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation; former Executive Vice President, Strategic Planning, Buffalo Bills

Panel #2: Game Changers: How Athletes, Startups, and Industry Giants Disrupt the World of Sports
Technology, data, media, and global expansion all contribute to the rapidly evolving landscape of sports. Disrupting the sports industry is the norm rather than the exception. As a result, organizations of all sizes are constantly refining their brands and implementing new approaches to drive growth and engagement in the marketplace. Panelists took a deeper look into how athletes and organizations innovate and pave their own paths.

Moderator: Nicole Montgomery, Associate Professor of Commerce, McIntire School of Commerce

Christy Chattleton (McIntire ’00), Senior Director, Data Solutions, The Walt Disney Company
John R. Reese (McIntire ’73), CEO, Nicklaus Companies
Dan Stern (McIntire ’04), Director, Global Program, Nike Fit & Olympics, Nike Inc.
Cecil White (McIntire ’15), Agent, William Morris Endeavor (WME)
Alex Wu (McIntire ’07), Co-Founder, NEX Team (HomeCourt)

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