On the heels of Mark Cuban’s unexpected sale of the Mavericks, it was only fitting that a record turnout of sports industry executives filled the Salamander DC Ballroom last week for SBJ’s Dealmakers Conference . Attendees heard two days of programming focused on franchise valuation, media trends and the impact of capital investment on the sports world.
The founders and CEOs of some of the largest sports investment groups such as Billie Jean King Enterprises, Sapphire Sport, Isos7, JPMorgan and Elysian Park Ventures explained that they still view the market as a buying opportunity, but it requires a little more caution than in previous markets. . Women’s sports continue to be seen as excellent investment opportunities and are expected to reach a tipping point as leagues such as the NWSL and PWHL have seen significant investment over the past year. Meanwhile, leagues believe they still have huge potential in terms of investing in franchises, with sports properties seen more as art; appreciating investments. Still, the RSN uncertainty has sparked concern in league offices, but they remain optimistic about how this could be an opportunity to reinvent local rights that remain of great value.
But the future is still on the horizon, and investing in emerging leagues and technologies remains crucial for sustainable growth. This could be done through newer leagues such as the American Flag Football League or Athletes Unlimited. But private equity and venture capital are both looking to find those companies and teams — with even college athletics potentially on the horizon.
A look back at some of the conversations from this year’s Dealmakers event:
Mellody Hobson told the public why she invested in the Broncos
Josh Harris closed out the Dealmakers by explaining his strategy for Commanders and investing
Former NFL player Malcolm Jenkins discussed moving from player to investor
Chuck Todd opened up about the intersection of politics, sports and society
Andre Iguodala talked about his investment portfolio
After Wednesday’s opening afternoon session, patrons filled their coaches for a quick 1.5-mile ride along the National Mall to Monumental Sports & Entertainment’s District E location, a area of 14,000 square feet, for a welcome ceremony.
Guests were treated by Aramark to freshly cut cured premium sirloin with chimichurri, wagyu beef, Maryland crab cake and harissa “plant-based” burgers and apple cobbler bites of truffled earth. The venue, which is hosting this year’s NBA 2K League competition, still had plenty of gaming equipment on site and attendees took the opportunity to show off their skills on the PS5 set up in the venue.
Among those who struck up conversations during the event were Jonathan Lemirehost of the show “Way Too Early” on MSNBC. Steve Argeris by Hogan Lovells and Sidley Austin Chuck Boulanger were also seen catching up. Others spotted included those from KB Partners Matt HowardInner Circle Sports Maddie Winslow And Tyler ZimmetGalatioto sports partners James Ganley And Sal GalatiotoViewLift Rick AllenAdvance Kimberly Frisch And Xu areaRelo Metrics’ Christopher Mike and iSport360 Ian Goldberg.
Following the event at District E, Next League hosted a private reception at Dirty Habit in the Penn Quarter neighborhood. Next League Dave Nugent, Juan De Jesus, Roland Lange, Joanna Solowey, Jenna Trabulus, Catherine Krohn And Lindsay Schwartz hosted approximately 18 executives for a dinner and cocktail to close the evening.
Among those spotted, commanders Amina Bulman And Patrick ArthurDC United Danita JohnsonInner Circle Sports Ahron CohenSBJ Dan KaufmanMonarch Collective Christine JiangAmerican Flag Football League Brian Cooperthe NFLPA Therese Whiteheadthe Washington Spirit Meg Pattenthe oppressed Dan Mannix and Perkins Coie’s Shirin Malkani.
Monumental Sports and Entertainment Zach Leonsis appeared to welcome everyone to Dealmakers and deliver some opening remarks (he and his wife recently welcomed their second child, Catherinein the world).
Longtime Eagles safety Malcolm Jenkins spent private time talking with former NFL commissioner Paul Tagliabue following his panel.
NBC Political Analyst Chuck Todd was a popular person in the hallways, talking about everything from Beltway politics to his years dedicated to the sports world. Todd was spotted in an in-depth conversation with LEAD1 President (and former Congressman) Tom McMillen. Todd was a founding member of the Sports Business Daily team In 1994.
Big topics of conversation in the Dealmakers green room included Marc Cuban–Miriam Adelson deal for the Mavericks, the state of venture capital investing in a turbulent market, and the influence of AI on everything from professional sports to high school essays.
Founding partner of Sapphire Sport Michael Spiritofounder and CEO of FEVO Ari Daie and founding partner of Muse Capital Assia Grazioli–Venier discussed the future of football and sailing. Grazioli-Venier, who is an investor in the NWSL’s Washington Spirit, earlier this week joins the group of investors that acquired the American SailGP team.
Monumental sports and entertainment found Ted Leonsis was seen holding court in a corner of the ballroom with a group of executives following his fireside chat with Ariel Investment. Melody Hobsonwho woke up at 3 a.m. to steal from Dealmakers.
Owner of Mubadala Citi DC Open Mark Ein was spotted ahead of his one-on-one panel talking and laughing with Monumental Sheila Johnson.
It was a crowded ballroom when the owner of Commander Josh Harris one-on-one with the SBJs Abe Madkour. Harris was spotted watching the intro video with a smile on his face.
“Jim will turn out to be a genius – maybe a mad genius – but a genius. I went to the U2 concert and it blew my mind”– MSE’s Ted Leonsisat the MSG Sphere in Las Vegas.
“It’s been night and day since I started 25 years ago” — NHL Deputy Commissioner Bill Dalyon the significantly improved relationship between the league and the NHLPA.
“I don’t think anyone in this room fully believes them, but that’s the norm” — MLS Deputy Commissioner Gary Stevensonon Nielsen ratings.
“He told Sheila, ‘Don’t do that'” — Monumental’s Sheila Johnsonreflecting on what the late NBA commissioner David Stern told him after buying the Wizards, Capitals and Mystics years ago.
“It’s only a matter of time before talent is recognized” — Melody Hobsonon the emergence of women’s sport.
“I actually canceled my SBJ membership so I could afford some of these things” — MLS’s Stevenson, joking about the rising costs of streaming apps.
“The good news is you have a mayor who wants to work with you, Josh Harris. I don’t know if you have a city council that wants to work with you, but I know you have a mayor that wants to work with you and just build more relationships in the community here in Washington.” – NBC’s Chuck Toddgiving advice to Commanders owner Josh Harris
“Thank you everyone for giving me a really legitimate excuse to get out of the house” — MSE Zach Leonsis in his opening remarks after announcing that he and his wife had welcomed their daughter Kathryn into the world.
“I actually don’t own the team. …I am the steward of the city of Washington” —Commander Owner Josh Harrison how he views his ownership of the NFL team.
“She had no interest in football. And then this woman you may have heard of started dating a Kansas City Chiefs tight end. And my daughter said to me verbatim: “Football is really interesting when you care about who wins. And I said, “Are you a Chiefs fan now?” She says: “I love the Chiefs! » » – NBC’s Todd, on his daughters’ newly discovered Chiefs fandom following Travis Kelce’s new relationship with Taylor Swift.
“I’m one of the few college athletes who doesn’t like NIL. I think NIL has destroyed college athletics in many ways. And like I said, I can talk about it for days and I think it’s a good thing in some ways, but it’s been bad in a lot of other ways. » – TXV Partners Marcus Stroud.
Thank you to all the sponsors, attendees and speakers who made this year’s Dealmakers event possible.
We look forward to seeing the industry come together at our final event of 2023, the Intercollegiate Athletics Forum presented by Learfield in Las Vegas from December 5 to 6 at the Aria Resort & Casino.
