HUSL’s second annual Sports Business Conference kicked off with an engaging keynote session between 17-year NFL quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick — a Harvard Class of 2005 alumnus — and John D. Nichols ‘53 Family Director of Harvard Athletics Erin McDermott. Fitzpatrick gave conference attendees an inside look at his transition from Harvard’s football team to the NFL, his broadcasting career, and the NFL’s plans to continue growing the game internationally.

Fitzpatrick emphasized the crucial nature of making personal connections throughout his career — a sentiment that many speakers echoed throughout the day. 

In the first panel of the day, Insights to Impact: Data to Drive Brand Growth, Pete Giorgio moderated a dialogue between Anne Ristau, Katie Bynum Aznavorian, Angela Ruggiero, and Jon Hay that explored data’s role in transitioning sports to a consumer-driven entertainment product. As Ruggiero highlighted during the panel, “Data helps you know who your consumer is.”

NBA super-agent Bill Duffy sat down with Harvard Law School Professor Peter Carfagna for a fireside chat that gave attendees an inside look into what it looks like to be an agent representing some of the biggest names in sports today. Duffy emphasized the need to stay on top of things to rise to the top while discussing the familial connections he has made with the players he represents. 

Duffy’s leadership in the sports representation game segwayed into the second panel of the day, Leadership and Strategy in Transforming Sports Organizations. Featuring Christina Corcoran, Annie Mauck, Kirby Porter, and Nathán Goldberg, with host Ben Shields, this panel was structured on how each of these speakers defined “leadership” and “strategy” as it applies to their sector in the sports industry. While each leader had their own notions of these concepts, all of them emphasized the importance of fitting their role into the team landscape so a common goal could be achieved. 

The third panel of the day, Winning Returns: The Case for Sports as a Strategic Investment, was moderated by Harvard Business School Lincoln Filene Professor of Business Administration Anita Elberse and showcased the insights of Nadia Rawlinson, David Beeston, and Jon Ledecky. The panel focused on how team ownership is no longer seen as just a trophy asset but rather a strategic investment. Rawlinson in particular highlighted the benefits in investing in women’s sports as a Co-Owner of the Chicago Sky. “For us, this is a movement, not just a trophy.”

The day concluded with a keynote session, Building a Global Sports Empire, with Josh Harris and host Elberse. Harris recounted how being a childhood fan of the Washington Commanders influenced his decision to buy the team and how he manages his portfolio of professional teams. He also focused on the importance of building community within his teams’ cities and within the structure of teams. “You win on the field when you win off the field.”

The conference attracted attendees from various backgrounds, including students, professionals, and sports enthusiasts. With 450 tickets sold, this conference brought a new level of engagement with sports business to Harvard’s campus.

“It was an honor to gather as a community of students, professionals, and sports enthusiasts,” said HUSL Co-Presidents Cooper Knarr and Alex Stone. “Thank you to all of our speakers whose inspiring stories and insights will hopefully motivate the next generation of leaders.” 

Co-founder and club adviser Tai Tatum — who graduated from Harvard in May 2024 and now works for Fenway Sports Group — described this year’s conference as a major success: “It was a dream come true to once again bring together the Harvard community with top leaders in the sports business industry. I am really proud the HUSL Conference has become an annual tradition at Harvard, and I am looking forward to helping it grow,” he said.