sphere of sports
2025 AGENDA
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Day 1: Thursday, February 13, 2025
Summit on Influence + Innovation
Venue: Mission Rock, San Francisco
Time: 12:00 PM – 8:00 PM12:00 PM – 1:00 PM:
Kickoff reception and photos1:00 PM – 1:15 PM:
Welcome Remarks
Speaker: Taj Tashombe, Founder, Sphere of Sports
1:15 PM – 2:15 PM:
Panel 1: The Future of Ownership – Building Wealth Through Sports Investments
This session explores the transformative opportunities for building wealth through sports ownership. From emerging investment models to franchise acquisitions, panelists will dive into the evolving dynamics of ownership and how sports serve as a powerful vehicle for generational wealth creation. Whether you're an athlete looking to diversify or an investor seeking to expand, this panel will illuminate pathways to success.
Moderator: Gordon Chan, Family Office Executive
Panelists:
Vishal Verma - Managing Director, Edgewood Ventures
Chris Kelly - Co-owner, Sacramento Kings and Sacramento Rivercats
Sabeer Bhatia - Co-founder of Hotmail
Bill Duffy - Head of Basketball, WME Sports
Harold Graham - Head of Investor Relations, IgniteGTM
2:30 PM – 3:30 PM:
Panel 2: The Intersection of Sports and Social Impact – Changing Communities Through Sports
Sports have the power to inspire change and unite communities. This panel explores how athletes, organizations, and brands are using sports as a platform for social impact. From youth development initiatives to addressing social inequities, panelists will share strategies for leveraging sports to create lasting, meaningful change in local and global communities.
Moderator: Hannah Gordon - CEO, Hannah Gordon Advisors
Panelists:
Jason Sacks - CEO, Positive Coaching Alliance
Genevieve LeMarchal - Managing Director, Suncoast Ventures
Dr. Tammy Mahaney - Venture Partner, Suncoast Ventures
Somesh Dash - General Partner, IVP
3:45 PM – 4:45 PM:
Panel 3: The Rise of Women in Sports and Leadership
Women are not just participating in sports; they’re leading it. This conversation highlights the trailblazing women reshaping the industry as athletes, executives, and owners. Panelists will discuss the challenges they’ve faced, the progress made, and the pathways to empowering more women to take leadership roles in sports and beyond.
Moderator: - Leslie Maxie - Olympian & Journalist
Panelists:
Jess Smith - President, Golden State Valkyries
Megan Holston-Alexander - Partner, Cultural Leadership Fund a16z
Dr. Veronica Jow - CEO, Avid Sports Medicine (SF Giants Team Doctor)
Lindsay Barenz - President, Oakland Roots and Soul SC
5:00 PM – 6:00 PM:
Panel 4: The Business of Global Events – NBA All-Star, Super Bowl, World Cup, and Beyond
Global sports events like the Super Bowl and World Cup transcend borders and drive billions in economic impact. This panel examines the business strategies behind hosting and managing these mega-events, exploring the economic, cultural, and social influence they wield. Discover how these events are planned, monetized, and positioned as global cultural phenomena.
Moderator: Julia Hartz, Co-founder and CEO, Eventbrite
Panelists:
Zaileen Janmohamed - President and CEO, Bay Area Host Committee
Jeff Clanagan - President, CDO, and Co-founder HARTBEAT
Baron Davis - Two-time NBA All-Star, Founder of Business Inside The Game
Ronn Nicolli - CMO, Resorts World Las Vegas
Daryl Butler - VP of Marketing at Google
6:00 PM – 6:05 PM: Closing Remarks For Day 1
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Day 2: Friday, February 14, 2025
Sports, Screen and Sound
Venue: Mission Rock, San Francisco
Time: 3:00 PM – 10:00 PM3:00 PM – 4:00 PM:
Kickoff reception and photos4:00 PM – 4:50 PM:
Panel 1: AI and Tech Innovation – The Next Frontier in Sports Performance and Fan Engagement
Explore how AI and emerging technologies are revolutionizing sports. From enhancing player performance and game strategies to creating immersive fan experiences, this panel highlights the transformative impact of innovation on the industry’s future.
A behind-the-scenes discussion with top executives driving innovation and success in Film, TV, Music and streaming. This panel highlights the role of leadership in expanding sports storytelling across platforms and reaching global audiences.Moderator: Anne Dwane - Co-Founder & Partner at Village Global
Panelists:
Ashley Tarver - Data, AI and Cloud Evangelist, Microsoft
Rachel Gillum - Vice President, Ethical and Humane Use of Technology, Salesforce
Marc Reeves - Head of Global Strategic Partnerships, Fever
Adam Shevell - Partner, Perkins Coie
Sara Ahmadian - Founder, Anar Ventures
5:00 PM – 5:50 PM:
Panel 2: The Power Players – Executives Shaping Sports and Entertainment
A behind-the-scenes discussion with top executives driving innovation and success in Film, TV, Music and streaming. This panel highlights the role of leadership in expanding sports storytelling across platforms and reaching global audiences.Moderator: Prakash Janakiraman - Co-Founder of Nextdoor
Panelists:
Alex Dixon - CEO, Resorts World Las Vegas
Calvin Andrews - Senior Agent, Klutch Sports (NBA)
Shannon Nash - CFO, Public Company Board Director, Investor
Vincent Taylor - Founder Principal Agent, Elite Loyalty Sports (NFL)
Alex Moore - Chief Business Officer, EMPIRE
Javale McGee - NBA Champion
6:00 PM – 6:40 PM:
Panel 3: Diverse Visionaries – Elevating New Voices in Culture & StyleThis session spotlights diverse executives, artists, visual creatives, fashion leaders, and stylists who are redefining cultural influence through bold, innovative content. From fashion and lifestyle branding to athlete-driven aesthetics, explore how they’re shaping industries while seamlessly integrating culture, design, and sports style into their creative and commercial strategies.
Moderator: Derick Brown - Senior Director of the Leo T. McCarthy Center for Public Service and the Common Good
Panelists:
Taj Stansberry - Director / Creator
Lola Oladunjoye - Designer (jewlery)
Edreece Arghandiwal - Co-founder, Oakland Roots and Soul SC
7:00 PM – 8:15 PM:
Short Film Showcase: Courtside Chronicles
Celebrate voices in storytelling with an exclusive showcase of short films by emerging and established creators:Brand New Short - Denzel Whitaker
Shoebox Short - D’Lo Louis
Tales of the Town Short - Delency Parham & Abbas Muntaqim
Beastmode Previews - Diaunte Thompson
8:15 PM – 8:45 PM:
Filmmaker Fireside Chat with Andre WardThe screenings will be followed by a Q&A featuring the filmmakers and executives behind the project.
D’Lo Louis - Filmmaker, writer and executive, Proximity Media
Denzel Whitaker - Actor, Director and creator of Brand New
Diaunte Thompson - Filmmaker, Producer and Co-founder, Beastmode Productions
Delency Parham - Director, Community Activist
Abbas Muntaqim - Director, Community Activist
Summit SPEAKERS
Vishal Verma
Managing Director
Edgewood Ventures
Zaileen Janmohamed
President and CEO
Bay Area Host Committee
Chris Kelly
Co-Owner
Sacramento Kings
Sabeer Bhatia
Co-Founder of Hotmail
Technology Innovator
Prakash Janakiraman
Co-Founder
Nextdoor
Julia Hartz
Co-Founder and CEO
Eventbrite
Bill Duffy
Head of Basketball
WME Sports
Jess Smith
President
Golden State Valkyries
Baron Davis
Two-time NBA All-Star, Founder
Business Inside the Game (BIG)
Andre Ward
International Boxing Hall of Famer and Media Personality
Harold Graham
Head of Investor Relations
IgniteGTM
Genevieve LeMarchal
Managing Partner
Suncoast Ventures
Alex Dixon
CEO
Resorts World Las Vegas
Daryl Butler
Vice President of Marketing
Jeff Clanagan
President & CDO, Co-Founder
HARTBEAT
Dr. Tammy Mahaney
Venture Partner
Suncoast Ventures
Marc Reeves
Head of Global Strategic Partnerships
Fever
Ashley Tarver
Data & AI Cloud Evangelist
Microsoft
Megan Holston-Alexander
Partner, Cultural Leadership Fund
Andreessen Horowitz
Ronn Nicolli
CMO
Resorts World Las Vegas
Calvin Andrews
Senior Agent
Klutch Sports Group
Alexandra Moore
Chief Business Officer
EMPIRE
Jason Sacks
President
Positive Coaching Alliance
Lindsay Barenz
President
Oakland Roots and Soul SC
Shannon Nash
Chief Financial Officer, Public Company Board Director, Investor
Marjorie Williams
SVP, Business & Legal Affairs
Skydance Sports
Dr. Rachel Gillum
Vice President, Ethical and Humane Use of Technology
Salesforce
Hannah Gordon
Chief Executive Officer
Hannah Gordon Advisors
Vincent Taylor
Founder, Principle Agent
Elite Loyalty Sports
D’Lo Louis
Writer / Filmmaker / Executive
Proximity Media
Leslie Maxie
1988 U.S. Olympian and a 32 year 400M hurdle junior world record holder
Lola Oladunjoye
Founder
Lola Fenhirst Jewelry
Denzel Whitaker
Actor and Director
Dr. Veronica Jow
Founder and Physician
Avid Sports Medicine
Sara Ahmandian
Founder
Anar Ventures
Rasheen Smith
Co-Founder
Perimeter
Taj Tashombe
Founder
Sphere of Sports
Somesh Dash
General Partner, IVP
JaVale McGee
NBA Champion
Taj Stansberry
Actor and Director
Aalim A. Moor, II
Founding Partner
Sphere of Sports
REGISTER NOW
Spaces are limited.
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THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 13TH
12:00 PM
STUDIO AT MISSION ROCK - SAN FRANCISCO, CA
TICKETS FROM $1,000.00
Dive into the future of sports on Day One of the Sphere of Sports Summit. This day focuses on the business and innovation driving global sports events. Gain insights from top industry executives, athletes, and creatives as they discuss topics like venture capital in sports, sustainability, and the impact of major global events like the Super Bowl and World Cup.
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FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 13TH
3:00 PM
STUDIO AT MISSION ROCK - SAN FRANCISCO, CA
TICKETS FROM $1,000.00
Explore the intersection of sports, media, and culture on Day Two of the Sphere of Sports Summit. From the evolution of sports broadcasting and storytelling to the role of music and entertainment in fan engagement, this day is packed with thought-provoking panels and fireside chats. Featured moderators and speakers include acclaimed filmmakers, top executives, and media innovators shaping the future of sports and entertainment.
SPONSORSHIP
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Join us as a sponsor of Sphere of Sports 2025, the premier summit connecting thought leaders, industry innovators, and global executives in sports, media, and technology. As a sponsor, your brand will gain unparalleled visibility, access to influential decision-makers, and the opportunity to shape the future of the sports industry.
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Let’s create a partnership that delivers measurable impact and positions your company as a leader in the industry.
Contact us below.
Driving Impact. Elevating Leaders. Redefining the Business of Sports.
Sphere of Sports Upcoming Summits:
2025 All-Star Weekend - SF
2026 World Cup - North AmericA
2026 all-star weekend - LA
2026 Super Bowl - SF
2027 super bowl - LA
2028 OLYMPICS - LA
A groundbreaking summit redefining the intersection of sports, entertainment, business, technology, wealth, and culture. Aligned with global sporting moments, this three-day event unites visionary leaders, athletes, and innovators for transformative dialogue, immersive experiences, and impactful connections. Join us to shape the future of sports and culture.