Start your day with breakfast, connect with fellow attendees, and get ready for a day of insights and inspiration.

The 2025 season of Major League Soccer marks the league’s 30th season and the third year of its partnership with Apple to launch MLS Season Pass on Apple TV. Apple and MLS recently announced expanded programming to drive increased accessibility and deeper fan engagement alongside a robust season launch campaign. Join us as we dive into the strategy, programming, and technology that has supercharged the league’s growth, what it means for the future of sports media, and how fandom is evolving.

It’s no secret that the driving force behind any successful marketing campaign is more than just a gut instinct. Instead, it’s about employing a strategy that encompasses well-rounded customer data. The use of fan data leverages untapped potential for both legacy and non-native sports brands looking to reach new audience segments. This session will showcase the value of fan data analytics to reach the right people, at the right time, with the right messages.

Research shows that girls drop out of sports by age 14 at double the rate of boys the same age. What’s more, girls who play sports have more confidence and gain critical life skills. As digital natives, Gen Alpha is shaping the future of sports fandom, and understanding their values and preferences is crucial for marketers.. By prioritizing inclusivity, representation, and innovation, brands can work together to empower the next generation of fans and athletes.

The rise of direct-to-consumer sports models isn’t just changing how fans watch their favorite teams; it’s reimagining how brands connect with audiences. Additionally, social media has revolutionized the way that athletes and teams connect with their fans in a more direct fashion. Team accounts have created their own personalities and voices, interacting directly with fans, and athletes share behind-the-scenes insights into a day-in-the-life. Hear how to capitalize on this evolution in fan interactions, what that means for your overall marketing strategy, and how to embrace this approach to reach some of the most highly engaged corners of the industry.

With jersey sponsorships becoming the new prime real estate and NIL deals transforming college athletes into brand ambassadors, there’s a whole new ball game for marketers looking to break into sports. During this session, we unpack how these shifts are creating new opportunities for brands to get in on the action, both on and off the field. Hear from brand executives and team leadership to better understand the evolution of monetization in sports and the new doors open for industry marketers.

Founded by two basketball superstars, Napheesa Collier and Breanna Stewart, and offering its players the highest average salary in women’s professional sports league history, Unrivaled is shaking up the women's sports landscape. Since announcing its launch, the league has been turning heads and catching the attention of legacy brands. Take State Farm, for example—they’ve long been a big name in sports marketing but are now casting a wider net by supporting emerging leagues. In this session, get the inside scoop on how Unrivaled and State Farm are redefining sports marketing.