Events
2023 Sports Licensing Summit
Join SFIA and Licensing International for the Sports Licensing Summit, prior to the Sports Licensing & Tailgate Show, on January 17, 2023 in Las Vegas.
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Thank you to everyone who joined us for the 2023 Team Sports Conference, hosted by SFIA, NFHS, and the NCAA by Credova, on October 25-26, 2022 in Chicago!
Save the Date for the 2024 Team Sports Rules Conference, taking place on April 15-16, 2024 at the Alexander Hotel in Indy!
Click here to check out some highlights from the 2023 event!
State of high school sports
High school sports are being challenged by significant cultural, societal, and technological issues. Some of these include the importance of participation, diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), student mental and physical wellness, the shortage of sports officials, social media, name image likeness (NIL), and bad fan behavior at athletic events. Hear from NFHS on how the organization is handling all these current challenges facing high school sports.
Transforming NCAA Athletics
The NCAA focuses on providing the student-athlete with an environment that emphasizes academics, fairness, and well-being across college sports. The growth and influence of NCAA athletics and the effects of NIL rights of athletes are reshaping the way the NCAA operates. Hear how the NCAA is working to provide student-athletes with the most complete college experience and handling other challenges being faced by the organization.
Innovations and Opportunities: Grassroots sports perspective
Grassroots sports are changing from pickup play to organized recreational leagues and travel leagues. Much of that change is driven by the engagement of professional leagues and large youth sports organizations. Three of the most successful administrators of youth sports programs will talk about their strategies for development.
Roman Oben
MODERATOR: Vice President, Football Development & Strategy, National Football League
Bridget Niland
Director, Cornerstone Sport Initiative, Niagara University
Sports Governing Bodies: Growing Participation
The role of national governing bodies in developing and maintaining their sports at a grassroots level is of great interest. The panelists will highlight the various initiatives and programs being implemented to increase youth participation, such as coaching and officiating development, school-based partnerships, and community outreach efforts. The panelists will also discuss the importance of making sports accessible to all children.
State of the industry: Participation Trends & Business Analysis
The sports industry is coming off a year with unprecedented growth, yet we are still facing challenges, such as inflation. Hear insights, data, and trend analysis from SFIA’s hot-off-the-press State of the Industry report and see how the industry faired in 2022. This in-depth discussion will also cover participation trends for over 124 sports and fitness activities, with a focus on team sports, all to help you make more informed decisions for your business.
Marketing and Delivering Team Product in an Evolving market
Sourcing, selling, and delivering team sports equipment has been disrupted by consumer demands, the residual effects of the pandemic, supply chain issues, and online platforms. Come hear a powerhouse conversation with senior executives in the team sports products market on growing in an evolving market.
Laura St. George
MODERATOR: Owner, Hatched
Mark Daniels
VP GMM Team Sports & Licensed Sports, Dick’s Sporting Goods
Protecting your intellectual property and brand
Intellectual Property Protection is a critical responsibility of every brand, sports property owner, institution, and standards-setting organizations. This panel will discuss the challenges of protecting intellectual property in the digital age, including combating counterfeit goods and unauthorized use on social media and e-commerce platforms. The panelists will share the need for sports properties and brands to enhance the brand’s fan experience and take proactive steps to protect their intellectual property, as it can have a significant impact on their reputation, revenue, and long-term success.
The move to transactional participation
Working with over 100 variables that are directly related to play, being a fan, how we spend our free time, and how the smartphone is changing all of it, Dr. Rich Luker, founder of the ESPN Sports Poll, will lay the groundwork for understanding the state of this transaction. He will highlight the value of tools in the hands of youth to influence the importance of sports participation and fan activity – reigniting face-to-face relationships in the digitally driven age of the smartphone.
Making sense of nil for athletes, schools, and sponsors
This topic is crucial for understanding the rights, challenges, and opportunities for student-athletes, institutions, and brands, especially as the industry navigates the “Wild, Wild West” of NIL. The panel will feature experts currently making deals in this space and will explore the potential consequences for high school and college athletes who need help understanding the implications of endorsement deals and working with brands and licensees.
Questions? Contact Gregg Hartley.