When you bring together collective genius to advance an industry, magic happens. I had the honor of co-chairing the Pro Sports Assembly Retreat for the second year, alongside the incomparable Oracio Galindo and Jamil Northcutt, Ph.D. Over 100 leaders from teams, leagues, venues, and affiliates gathered in Austin, TX, to delve into topics crucial for a sustainable career in sports.
Coming from outside the sports industry, having this brain trust and network of support has been invaluable. Thank you to Pro for creating this space, Laura Dixon for your vision, Jamil and OG for being incredible co-chairs, and to the many sub-committee chairs, speakers, MCs, Pro staff, and members who came to Austin. Together, we leveraged our collective genius to push our industry forward. The retreat reinforced the saying, "If you want to go fast, go alone; if you want to go far, go together."
𝐒𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐇𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬:
𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐔𝐧𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐢𝐧 𝐏𝐫𝐨 𝐒𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐬 𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩: A keynote with C-suite leaders from five major leagues, evaluating the current state, challenges, and future of leadership in professional sports.
𝐑𝐞(𝐃𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐠𝐧)𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐏𝐫𝐨 𝐒𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐬 𝐁𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐌𝐨𝐝𝐞𝐥: Exploring deal structures and innovations shaping the next era of pro sports fan accessibility and consumption.
𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐤𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐩𝐬: Sessions on fan engagement strategies, talent development, public policy, and the decision-making process for public statements.
𝐅𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐨𝐧 𝐖𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐧’𝐬 𝐒𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐬: Engaging discussions on growth, challenges, and ownership in women's sports.
𝐀𝐭𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠, 𝐃𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐠, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐑𝐞𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐓𝐨𝐩 𝐓𝐚𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐭: Senior HR leaders discussed improving cross-sport connectivity, collaboration, and leadership development in pro sports. They shared effective strategies for attracting and retaining top talent.
𝐁𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐂𝐚𝐬𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐈𝐧𝐜𝐥𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐈𝐧𝐯𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫’𝐬 𝐏𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞: Debates on equity versus equality approaches, responses to common rebuttals, and a live debate of solution-based arguments, fostering a safe space for new ideas.
Thank you to everyone who made this retreat a success. Together, we are moving the industry forward! #ProSportsAssembly #Leadership #Innovation #Inclusion
𝗣𝗥𝗢 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗮𝘁 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗔𝘀𝘀𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗹𝘆 delved into conversations and workshops to challenge their ideas and contribute their unique perspectives and expertise to the collective effort of advancing the pro sports industry.
𝗛𝗶𝗴𝗵𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀 𝗶𝗻𝗰𝗹𝘂𝗱𝗲𝗱:
𝗦𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗨𝗻𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗶𝗻 𝗣𝗿𝗼 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘀 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽: A keynote discussion with C Suite leaders from five major leagues, evaluating the current state, challenges, and future of leadership in professional sports.
𝗥𝗲(𝗗𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗻)𝗧𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗣𝗿𝗼 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘀 𝗕𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗠𝗼𝗱𝗲𝗹: An exploration of deal structures and innovations shaping the next era of pro sports fan accessibility and consumption.
𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗸𝘀𝗵𝗼𝗽𝘀: Sessions on fan engagement strategies, talent development, public policy development, and whether or not to make a statement.
The evening concluded with a 𝗙𝗶𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗱𝗲 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗼𝗻 𝗪𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗻'𝘀 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘀, which included engaging discussions on the growth, challenges and ownership within the field, followed by an over-the-top round of 𝗣𝗥𝗢 𝗙𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗹𝘆 𝗙𝗲𝘂𝗱.
Check out the sizzle reel capturing the key moments from Day 2 and keep an eye out for more as leaders at The Assembly drive PRO forward! 🎥👇
#ProSportsAssembly #TheAssembly2024 #Leadership