Harvard Undergraduate Sports Lab Hosts Inaugural Sports Business Conference
The Harvard Undergraduate Sports Lab (HUSL) proudly organized its inaugural Sports Business Conference on November 4, 2023, which brought together luminary leaders in the sports industry for a day of insightful discussions, engaging panels, and networking opportunities.
The conference, held on the historic Harvard campus in Cambridge, Massachusetts, attracted attendees from various backgrounds, including students, professionals, and sports enthusiasts. The event opened with a keynote panel entitled "Sports on a Global Stage," featuring distinguished speakers LA28 CEO Kathy Carter and NBA Deputy Commissioner and COO Mark Tatum. The panel was skillfully moderated by Harvard Business School Professor Anita Elberse.
Following this captivating opening panel, conference attendees were treated to a Fireside Chat with Boston Celtics Lead Owner, Governor and CEO, Wyc Grousbeck, also moderated by Anita Elberse, which provided a unique glimpse into the world of team ownership and management.
The excitement continued with a Fireside Chat featuring WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert, which was expertly moderated by the award-winning ESPN broadcaster Rosalyn Gold-Onwude. Commissioner Engelbert shared valuable insights into the world of women's professional basketball and the broader landscape of sports leadership.
The afternoon sessions featured two informative panels. The first, titled "Sports Partnerships in the Digital Era," gathered industry experts, including Mekale Jackson, Senior Director of Global Media Strategy at Under Armour; Charlie Neiman, Head of Sports Partnerships at Amazon Prime Video; Harish Sarma, Global Head of Sports at Tik Tok; and Erin Teague, Senior Director of Product Management at Google. This enlightening discussion was moderated by Rosalyn Gold-Onwude and explored the evolving landscape of sports partnerships in the digital age.
The second panel, "Exploring Cutting-Edge Trends in Sports," featured accomplished leaders in the field, including Samantha Barkowski, Senior Vice President of Strategy and Growth at Fenway Sports Management; Pete Giorgio, Global and US Sports Practice Leader at Deloitte; Sandra Richards, Managing Director and Head of Global Sports & Entertainment at Morgan Stanley; and Malcolm Turner, Global Head of Corporate Development and Strategy at DraftKings. Kirby Porter, Founder of New Game Labs, moderated this dynamic session, which delved into the most innovative and transformative trends in sports.
The conference came to a spectacular conclusion with a closing keynote session featuring former NBA All-Star Carmelo Anthony, who shared his remarkable journey and experiences in the world of professional basketball, his exciting new endeavors, and his longstanding commitment to social justice.
“Sports have the power to truly change the world, and I am extremely proud that we were able to create an unparalleled experience for the next generation to learn from the top executives in the Sports Business Industry,” says Tai Tatum, co-founder and president of HUSL. “The engagement, invaluable insights, and inspirational stories exceeded all expectations, and we were grateful to be able to engage on a personal level with these trailblazers.”
