Join Joe Lacob, Co-Executive Chairman & CEO of the Golden State Warriors and Golden State Valkyries, for a keynote conversation on the evolving business of sports ownership. From transforming the Warriors into a global powerhouse to launching new ventures like the Golden State Valkyries, Lacob shares insights on franchise valuation, innovation, and long-term growth strategies. This session will explore how top owners are navigating media shifts, private capital, and emerging leagues while balancing competitive success with enterprise value creation. 

What does it take to create a thriving franchise in the fast-growing world of women’s sports? Stacy Johns, CEO of Bay FC, and Jess Smith, President of the Golden State Valkyries, offer a peek behind the curtain at building and scaling expansion teams with ambition and purpose. From defining a brand identity and building front offices to engaging communities and driving early fan adoption, this conversation will unpack the strategic and operational decisions that shape a franchise’s trajectory.

Join Larry Baer, CEO & President of the San Francisco Giants, and Austin Bowers, Partner & Co-Head of Sports, Media, and Entertainment at Sixth Street, for a conversation on how strategic partnerships are reshaping franchise growth.

Following Sixth Street’s minority investment in the Giants—the club’s first significant outside capital in decades—this discussion explores how teams are leveraging institutional capital to invest beyond the field. From ballpark enhancements and fan experience to large-scale real estate developments like Mission Rock, the panel will examine how long-term, flexible capital is helping organizations build enduring value while maintaining operational control.

Wellness is becoming a defining factor in sports, shaping how athletes perform, recover, and extend their careers, while opening new areas for innovation and investment. In many ways, elite sport is a preview of a greater mindset shift from treating injury and illness to designing for performance, recovery, and long-term vitality.

Hear from Dr. Jason Wersland, Founder & Chief Wellness Officer of Therabody, alongside NFL Quarterback Coach & Therabody Ambassador, Jordan Palmer, in conversation with Shelley Lyford, Chief Executive Officer of West Health, for a discussion on the growing role of wellness across the sports ecosystem and how these insights can inform a future where more people experience not just longer lives, but ones filled with vitality.

What does it take to bring the world’s biggest events to the Bay Area—and ensure they leave a lasting legacy? Following the region’s recent turn on the global stage during the Super Bowl, Bay Area Host Committee CEO & President Zaileen Janmohamed joins Host Committee board and advisory leaders and Bay Area team executives Jonathan Becher, Leslie Osborne, and Mike Dunleavy for a conversation about the strategy, partnerships, and community vision behind hosting major global events. Drawing on perspectives from teams, leagues, and regional leadership, the panel will explore how moments on the global stage drive economic opportunity, strengthen collaboration across the Bay Area, and create lasting benefits for local communities.

Join Ryan Murphy of Norwest Growth Equity, Roger Mason Jr. of Vaunt, and AJ Swoboda of Formation Partners for a conversation on identifying and building value in the less obvious corners of the sports ecosystem. From growth equity and athlete-driven platforms to strategic partnerships with ownership groups, this panel explores the different ways capital and expertise are being deployed across emerging and underserved segments—and how these approaches are reshaping the sports investment landscape.

Theresia Gouw, Founder of Acrew Capital, and Vivek Ranadivè, Owner & Chairman of the Sacramento Kings, discuss their investment in the Major League Volleyball NorCal Franchise, exploring the sport’s growth potential and the intersection of venture capital, team ownership, and community-driven sports innovation.

Today’s sports fans don’t just watch—they stream, scroll, bet, shop, and engage in real time across a fragmented media landscape. This panel brings together leaders at the forefront of technology, distribution, and fan engagement to explore how leagues, teams, and platforms are building truly omnichannel experiences that meet fans wherever they are.

Alex Bhathal joins Sportico to discuss how team ownership and league expansion are being redefined, with a focus on the growing momentum behind emerging franchises like the Portland Thorns (NWSL) and the Portland Fire (WNBA). As Executive Chairman of family-owned firm RAJ Sports, Bhathal brings a unique perspective on strategic investment, long-term value creation, and the role of institutional capital in shaping the future of sports.