Forbes Sports & Business Summit presented by Rocket Mortgage

Forbes Sports & Business Summit presented by Rocket Mortgage

August 25, 2021, 1 - 3:15 p.m. ET / 10 a.m. - 12:15 p.m. PT - Virtual Event

Now that we are experiencing a full resurgence of sporting events—games, competitions, full stadiums and arenas, reopened gyms and more—it is vital to examine the crucial lessons learned over the past year and a half. As society grappled with issues like systemic racism, inequity and mental health, athletes continued to emerge as critical voices and catalysts for change that millions of Americans look up to and trust. The need for innovation across industries impacted the sports world as well, and in mapping out the future of sports, new technologies were developed at breakneck speeds while athletes catapulted themselves from celebrities to entrepreneurs and disruptors.

 

Join Forbes & Rocket Mortgage on August 25 where we will dive into the future of the sports business and discuss how brands plan to adapt to a post-pandemic world, what emerging technologies mean for the sports sector, how teams and athletes need to think about diversity, equity and inclusion moving forward and much more.

Event Recap

Forbes Sports & Business Summit presented by Rocket Mortgage

Forbes Sports & Business Summit presented by Rocket Mortgage

During this event, speakers shared insights about diversity in professional sports, spectators’ evolving consumption habits, the importance of platforms for social progress and more.

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Speakers

Ben Simmons

Ben Simmons

NBA All-Star

Ryan Nece

Ryan Nece

Former NFL Player & Managing Director


Next Play Capital

Natasha Cloud

Natasha Cloud

Activist & WNBA Champion


Washington Mystics

Jarvis Sam

Jarvis Sam

Vice President, Global Diversity & Inclusion


Nike

Tyler Tumminia

Tyler Tumminia

Commissioner


NWHL

Daniel Arsham

Daniel Arsham

Artist & Creative Director


Cleveland Cavaliers

Arielle  Chambers

Arielle Chambers

Founder


HighlightHER - Bleacher Report

Jason Wright

Jason Wright

Team President


Washington Football Team

Olajuwon Ajanaku

Olajuwon Ajanaku

Founder


Eastside Golf

Maggie  McGrath

Maggie McGrath

Editor


ForbesWomen

Casey Hurbis

Casey Hurbis

Chief Marketing Officer


Rock Central

Bo Han

Bo Han

Founder & CEO


Buzzer

Christina  Settimi

Christina Settimi

Staff Writer, SportsMoney, Forbes


Forbes

Kevin Clayton

Kevin Clayton

Vice President, Diversity, Inclusion & Engagement


Cleveland Cavaliers

Sadé Muhammad

Sadé Muhammad

VP, Representation & Inclusion Practice


Forbes

Zack Weiner

Zack Weiner

Cofounder & President


Overtime

Justin  Birnbaum

Justin Birnbaum

Assistant Editor


Forbes

Michael del Castillo

Michael del Castillo

Senior Editor, Digital Assets


Forbes

Diane Brady

Diane Brady

Assistant Managing Editor, Communities & Leadership


Forbes

Agenda

1:00 pm ET

Welcome Remarks

1:05 pm ET

Keynote Conversation with Ben Simmons

Towering over the basketball court at 6 feet, 10 inches — four inches taller than the average NBA player — Philadelphia 76ers star Simmons stands head and shoulders above other pro point guards, a position typically played by the shortest player on the team. The atypical athlete has an atypical approach to his mentality off the court as well. From cutting-edge investments to protecting his mental health, hear from one of basketball’s most interesting figures.

Ben Simmons, NBA All-Star

Interviewer: Christina Settimi, Staff Writer, SportsMoney, Forbes

1:20 pm ET

The New World Order: How Women's Sports has Finally Reached Mainstream

While the pandemic brought most sports to a screeching halt, the same wasn’t true for women’s athletics. In fact, they have reached a critical point that has captivated fans and sponsors alike. With historic attention and dollars flowing to the franchises, what will the future hold for the athletes, teams and leagues?

Arielle Chambers, Founder, HighlightHER (Bleacher Report)

Tyler Tumminia, Commissioner, NWHL

Moderator: Maggie McGrath, Editor, ForbesWomen

1:40 pm ET

Spotlight: The Intersection of Art & Athletics

Art and sports may seem like disparate industries, but they can also go hand-in-hand. In this spotlight, contemporary artist Daniel Arsham will talk about blending creativity and athletics.

Daniel Arsham, Visual Artist & Creative Director, Cleveland Cavaliers

1:45 pm ET

Reimagining The Fan And Athlete Experience

At the onset of the pandemic, the sports industry faced a reckoning: Could sports survive without live fans? And, even if it could, would it ever be the same? But startups and established brands alike stepped up to the plate to redefine the relationship between fans and sports. These leaders share their insights into the future of that critical relationship and how we can make it even stronger.

Bo Han, Founder & CEO, Buzzer

Casey Hurbis, CMO, Rocket Mortgage

Zack Weiner, Cofounder & President, Overtime

Moderator: Justin Birnbaum, Assistant Editor, Forbes

 

2:05 pm ET

Spotlight: Golf As A Vehicle For Inclusion

Olajuwon Ajanaku, Founder, Eastside Golf

2:10 pm ET

The Rise Of Activism In Sports

For decades the old adage went: “Athletes should stay out of politics.” But WNBA player Natasha Cloud proved she is part of a new generation of athletes showing that mentality is a thing of the past when she decided to sit out the 2020 season to focus on activism. These young leaders share their insights to why athletes and the brands that support them not only can have a voice, but actually must have a voice.

Kevin Clayton, VP, Diversity, Inclusion & Community Engagement Cleveland Cavaliers

Natasha Cloud, WNBA Player & Activist

Jarvis Sam, VP, Global Diversity & Inclusion, Nike

Moderator: Sade Muhammad, VP, Representation & Inclusion Practice, Forbes

2:30 pm ET

A Nascent Revolution: How Crypto Is On The Brink Of Transforming Sports

Ken Goldin, Founder & CEO, Goldin Auctions

Interviewer:  Michael del Castillo, Associate Editor of Crypto & Blockchain, Forbes

2:50 pm ET

Spotlight: From The NFL To Silicon Valley—Why Athletes Are Today's Best Investors

Ryan Nece, Managing Director, Next Play Capital

2:55 pm ET

Keynote Conversation with Jason Wright

A year ago, Jason Wright took on one of the toughest jobs in sports, becoming president of a team that needed to rebrand, reassess its culture, and reinvigorate the franchise. The President of the Washington Football Team, as well as first Black president of an NFL team, shares insights on what he’s done and what’s next for one of the most closely watched teams in the NFL.

Jason Wright, President, Washington Football Team

Interviewer: Diane Brady, Assistant Managing Editor, Forbes

3:15 pm ET

Closing Remarks

Diane Brady, Assistant Managing Editor, Forbes

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