Variety + Sportico's Sports & Entertainment Summit

8:00 AM - PT

Arrivals & Networking

9:00 AM - 9:15 AM PT

Opening Remarks

Dea Lawrence - Chief Operating Officer and Chief Marketing Officer, Variety
Scott Soshnick - Editor-in-Chief, Sportico
JaHan Wang - EVP Entertainment Banking, City National Bank

9:15 AM - 9:35 AM PT

Keynote Conversation with Paige Bueckers, UConn Huskies and Lindsay Kagawa Colas, EVP, Talent + The Collective

Paige Bueckers - UConn Women’s Basketball Player
Lindsay Kagawa Colas - EVP, Talent + The Collective
Cynthia Littleton (Moderator) - Co-Editor-in-Chief, Variety

9:35 AM - 9:55 AM PT

Conversation with John Dahl, SVP Content, NASCAR & Ryan Blaney, 2023 NASCAR Cup Series Champion, Driver of the No. 12 Ford for Team Penske

John Dahl - SVP Content, NASCAR
Ryan Blaney - 2023 NASCAR Cup Series Champion, Driver of the No. 12 Ford for Team Penske
Eben Novy-Williams (Moderator) - Deputy Editor, Sportico

9:55 AM - 10:35 AM PT

The Future of Watching Live Sports

Craig Barry - EVP and Chief Content Officer, TNT Sports
Burke Magnus - President, Content, ESPN
Lori Conkling - Global Head of TV, Film and Sports Partnerships, YouTube
Shannon Willett - CMO, Peacock
David Eilenberg - Head of Content, Roku Media
Cynthia Littleton (Moderator) - Co-Editor-in-Chief, Variety
Stacey Rosenson - Head of U.S. Sports Marketing, Prime Video

An exploration into the fast-evolving business of live sports programming and viewing, as this compelling content becomes increasingly important to engage and retain audiences. What is the opportunity as platforms see sports as a way to boost their own brands, identity and original content? Which new innovations are helping drive fans to sports content? Sports TV leaders from a variety of functions discuss strategies to stand out and succeed in this competitive landscape.

10:35 AM - 11:15 AM PT

Women’s Sports Rising Roundtable

Constance Schwartz-Morini - Co-Founder & CEO, SMAC Entertainment
Diana Flores - QB, Women’s Flag Football, Mexico and Sports Analyst
Ashlyn Watkins - NCAA Women’s Champion, South Carolina Gamecocks
Michelle Haines - VP of Marketing, National Women's Soccer League
Nastia Liukin - 5-Time Olympic Medalist, Entrepreneur, Motivational Speaker
Cynthia Littleton (Moderator) - Co-Editor-in-Chief, Variety

A look at the rise in women’s sports – hear about the business opportunities in tying into these sports’ growing fan bases. Who are the leaders expanding women’s sports? What are challenges for women’s sports in achieving parity with their counterparts in men’s athletics? Leaders in women’s sports discuss the state of their industry and will share what comes next.

11:15 AM - 11:30 AM PT

Networking Break

11:30 AM - 11:50 AM PT

Coming in HOT: Conversation with the Rams 2023 Rookie Class

Puka Nacua - Wide Receiver, Los Angeles Rams
Kobie Turner - Defensive Tackle, Los Angeles Rams
Steve Avila - Offensive Lineman, Los Angeles Rams
Eben Novy-Williams (Moderator) - Deputy Editor, Sportico

11:50 AM - 12:20 PM PT

Keynote Conversation with Jay Williams, Chairman and Co-Founder, Improbable Media and ESPN Analyst

Jay Williams - Chairman and Co-Founder, Improbable Media and ESPN Analyst
Todd Burach (Moderator) - SVP, Head of Sports and Family Office Banking, City National Bank

12:20 PM - 1:00 PM PT

Ultimate Co-Lab - The Athlete and Fan

Samantha Tan - Championship Driver and Team Owner, Samantha Tan Racing, Samantha Tan Racing and Global Ambassador BMW M Motorsport
Austin Ekeler - Running Back, Washington Commanders
Chase Griffin - UCLA QB and Two-Time NIL Athlete of the Year
Chris Koras - Head of Baseball, KLUTCH Sports Group
Ezra Frech - Track & Field Athlete, Paris Paralympics 2024, and Co-Founder Angel City Sports
Angelique Jackson (Moderator) - Senior Entertainment Writer, Variety

A look at the fierce bonds between athletes and their fans that help jump start new businesses, spanning lifestyle brands, entertainment/media projects, philanthropies, investment opportunities and more. What is the right strategy allowing athletes to strike the best balance between interests in and out of the game? Who are key players aligning with athletes to support their varied projects? How are teams supporting athletes extending their careers to boost fan bases? Athletes and their partners discuss how they are accomplishing new goals with their followers at their side.

1:00 PM - 2:00 PM PT

Networking Lunch

2:00 PM - 2:25 PM PT

Rich Eisen, "The Rich Eisen Show" + Andrew Thau, COO United Talent Agency and Co-Head UTA Sports

Rich Eisen - "The Rich Eisen Show"
Andrew Thau - Co-Head of UTA Sports & Board Member
Cynthia Littleton (Moderator) - Co-Editor-in-Chief, Variety

2:25 PM - 3:05 PM PT

Scoring All-Important Gen Z Sports Fans

Nick Kelly - VP Partnerships, Verizon
Heidi Browning Pearson - SVP and Chief Marketing Officer, National Hockey League
Anmol Malhotra - Head of Sports and Media Partnerships, Snap Inc.
Paul Heyman - WWE Hall of Famer
Camille Maratchi - VP Unscripted & Documentaries, SpringHill Entertainment
Eben Novy-Williams (Moderator) - Deputy Editor, Sportico

Younger generations enjoy sports – but often not always via traditional sports outlets and channels. What are strategies to reach fans who follow the action across their social accounts? What are strategies to connect with Gen Z and bring them into the live game viewing experience? How are teams, leagues, sports platforms and brands creating future loyal, obsessed fans to continue to grow this industry?

3:05 PM - 3:45 PM PT

Breakthrough Sports Storytelling Across Platforms

Therese Andrews - Head of Production, Omaha Productions
Angela Ellis - VP, Original Content & Entertainment, NFL Media
Marc Gilbar - President of Imagine Brands, Imagine Entertainment
Dave Easton - Head of Sports, Comedy, Topical and Alternative Programming, Wondery
Angel McCoughtry - WNBA star and 2-time Olympic Gold Medalist
Jim Rome - Renowned Sports Commentator & Host, “The Jim Rome Show”
Michelle Beadle (Moderator) - Host of “Beadle & Decker” on SiriusXM’s Mad Dog Sports Radio channel

An exploration into how sports are inspiring TV, film, docs, podcasts, video games and other entertainment projects. What content is proving especially compelling with audiences? How can sports storytelling attract casual and hard-core sports fans alike? Producers, hosts, actors, directors and writers converge to share their creative journeys across sports storytelling.

Sponsorship	Registration & Group Ticket Rates	Programming
Michelle Fine Smith	Flavio Gomez	Susanne Ault
michelle.fine-smith@variety.com	flgomez@variety.com	susanne.ault@variety.com

THE CONVERSATION STARTS HERE.

Agenda