Tuesday, November 17, 2026
7:45 AM
Registration Opens and Breakfast
Astor Ballroom Foyer, 7th Floor, Marriott Marquis at Times Square
Breakfast Hosted by:
8:45 AM
Welcome and Opening Remarks
9:00 AM
From YouTube to the Major Leagues: Jomboy's Story
• Courtney Hirsch, CEO, Jomboy
• Moderator: Joe Lemire, Senior Writer, Sports Business Journal
9:30 AM
Industry Insight: Turning Moments of Zen into Moments of Revenue
You've seen the Moment of Zen. But do you know what caused it? Behind every unfilled ad break is a chain of decisions, technologies and partners racing against the clock to monetize inventory. FanServ explores the hidden mechanics of streaming advertising and explains why even a few seconds of missed opportunity can have a significant impact on revenue.
• Brad Friedman, CEO, FanServ
• Moderator: Dan Kaufman, Managing Director, Sports Business Journal
9:50 AM
The NHL’s View on Local Markets: Distribution, Monetization & Production
• Steve Mayer, President, Content & Events, National Hockey League
• David Proper, Senior Executive Vice President & Chief Media Officer, National Hockey League
• Moderator: Josh Carpenter, Staff Reporter, Golf & Media, Sports Business Journal
10:20 AM
Networking Break
10:45 AM
Sports Media's Next Chapter: Where Are Viewers Going
• Jon Miller, President, Acquisitions & Partnerships, NBC Sports
• Andy Oh, Principal, Sports Partnerships, Amazon Prime Video
• Ben Valenta, Executive Vice President, Strategy & Consumer Insights, FOX Sports
• Moderator: Austin Karp, Staff Reporter, Media, Sports Business Journal
11:15 AM
Content, Cuisine and Commerce: The Bobby Flay Recipe for Success
• Bobby Flay, Chef, Restaurateur, Content Creator & Television Personality
• Moderator: Abraham Madkour, Publisher & Executive Editor, Sports Business Journal
11:50 AM
Building for the Future: Innovation, Distribution and Audience Growth
• Jimmy Pitaro, Chairman, ESPN, The Walt Disney Company
• Moderator: Austin Karp, Staff Reporter, Media, Sports Business Journal
12:25 PM
LUNCH
12:25 PM
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
1:30 PM
Leading the Media Transformation: The NFL’s Next Chapter
• Hans Schroeder, Chief Media Officer, NFL
• Moderator: Abraham Madkour, Publisher & Executive Editor, Sports Business Journal
2:00 PM
The Analysts Corner: What the Smart Money is Watching
• Jessica Reif Ehrlich, Managing Director, Media & Entertainment, U.S. Equity Research, BofA Securities, Inc.
• Peter L. Supino, Senior Analyst, Managing Director Media, Entertainment & Telecom, Gaming & Lodging, Wolfe Research LLC
• Moderator: Austin Karp, Staff Reporter, Media, Sports Business Journal
2:30 PM
Industry Insights: Think Bigger - The Global Growth Playbook for Sports
• Adam Kelly, President, IMG
• Moderator: Dan Kaufman, Managing Director, Sports Business Journal
2:50 PM
Networking Break
3:15 PM
The New Sports Media Economy: New Markets, New Models, New Revenue
• Colin Campbell, Head, Development, Omaha Productions
• Dan Costello, Executive Vice President and Chief Business Officer, Phoenix Suns and Phoenix Mercury
• David Levy, Founder & Co-CEO, Horizon Sports & Experiences
• Jason Reed, Head, Scripted Film & TV, Skydance Sports
• Walker Jacobs, Global CRO & President, U.S, DAZN
• Guest Moderator: Rob Freeman, Partner & Co-Head, Technology, Media & Telecommunications Group, Proskauer
3:50 PM
Transition to concurrent sessions
3:55 - 4:20 PM
CONCURRENT SESSIONS
3:55 PM
Astor Ballroom
The Future of Sports Media Through the Lens of Women's Sports
• Courtney Burgess, Head of Partnerships, Just Women’s Sports
• Jessie Katz, Head, iHeart Women’s Sports
• Susie Piotrkowski, Vice President, Women’s Sports Programming & espnW, ESPN
• Moderator: Jenn Azara, Director, Tech & Women’s Sports Content, Sports Business Journal
3:55 PM
SoHo Complex
Meeting Fans Where They Are: The Future of Sports Content
• Brian Dailey, President & Co-Founder, All The Smoke Productions
• Ryan Jann, Chief Business Officer, Wave Sports & Entertainment
• Tyler Price, Head, Content, Bleacher Report
• Moderator: Rob Schaefer, Staff Reporter, Sports Business Journal
4:25 PM
A Conversation with Gen Z Fans: How Young Fans Discover, Consume and Engage with Sports
Five Gen Z sports fans share firsthand how they discover, watch, and engage with sports, offering a real-world look at the habits shaping the next generation of fandom
• Grayson Birajiclian, Student, Class of 2027, Regis High School, in NYC
• Tiffany Chan, Student, Pre-Law, St. John’s University
• Laila Donawa, MBA - Master of Science Candidate in Sports Management, Columbia University
• Tyler Jackson, Student, MBA program, NYU Stern School
• Adam Siegel, Senior Student, Morristown Beard School
Moderators:
• Austin Karp, Staff Reporter, Media, Sports Business Journal
• Terry Lefton, Editor at Large, Sports Business Journal
4:55 PM
Brothers-In-Arms: 3 Brothers. 3 Media Careers. 1 Stage.
• Craig Lazarus, Executive Producer, The ESPYS, Vice President and Executive Producer, Business Operations, ESPN Original Content
• Mark Lazarus, Chief Executive Officer, Versant
• Peter Lazarus, Executive Vice President, Advertising Sales & Partnerships, NBC Sports
• Moderator: Abraham Madkour, Publisher & Executive Editor, Sports Business Journal
5:35 PM
Programming Concludes
Media Innovators and Dealmakers in Sports Co-Networking Reception Begins
7:00 PM
Networking Reception Concludes and Program Ends
Reception Hosted by:
