2026 Agenda
WEDNESDAY, March 25
Mercedes-Benz Stadium
12:00 PM
Registration
Location: Mercedes-Benz Stadium | North Club Entry, click here for Google Maps pin Please note the following arrival and parking details for Mercedes-Benz Stadium | North Club Entry:
- Ride share drop-off: 1414 Andrew Young International Blvd NW, Atlanta, GA 30313
- Self-parking (Orange Deck): The Orange Deck is a covered, paved garage located less than a 5-minute walk from the North Club Entry. It is located at 295 Andrew Young International Blvd NW, Atlanta, GA 30313 and is available for $20 per day.
- Click here for more details on ride share drop-off, self-parking, and entry doors.
- Click here for walking information from the Omni Atlanta at Centennial Park
- Click here for walking information from the Hilton Signia
12:00 PM
Lunch
Location: The Truist Club
1:00 PM
Welcome Remarks
Location: The Delta Sky Club (all speaking sessions will be located here)
Host: Kevin Egan, Lead Studio Host, MLS on Apple TV
1:15 PM
The Impact of Hosting a World Cup
Panelists discuss what the game in North America and around the Concacaf region looks like today and the expectation for the future, with a particular focus on the impact of hosting major events like the Club World Cup in 2025, the Men’s World Cup in 2026 and the Women's World Cup in 2031.
Don Garber, Commissioner, MLS
Victor Montagliani, President, Concacaf; Vice President, FIFA
Cindy Parlow Cone, President, U.S. Soccer
Moderator: Abe Madkour, Publisher & Executive Editor, Sports Business Journal
1:55 PM
The New Wave: How MLS Stadiums Are Shaping Cities, Communities and the Future of Soccer
This panel explores how next-generation MLS stadium projects are redefining fan experiences and strengthening communities. Leaders behind these developments discuss design innovation, mixed-use concepts, and community integration, positioning soccer venues as long-term economic and cultural hubs.
Dave Baldwin, President of Business Operations, Chicago Fire FC
Brian Bilello, President, New England Revolution
Brad Sims, President & CEO, NYCFC
Moderator: Bret McCormick, Facilities and Fan Experience Reporter, Sports Business Journal
2:35 PM
Engaging Fans in the Attention Economy
This session dives into how soccer competes for Gen Z and Gen Alpha attention. Panelists highlight innovative content strategies and data-driven experiences that resonate with younger audiences.
Jon Stainer, Global GM, Nielsen Sports
Lauren Flanigan, Head of Global Brand Marketing, Refreshment Category, Mondelez
Shawn Francis, Executive Creative Director, N. America, COPA90
Moderator: David Cushnan, Content Director, Leaders in Sport
3:10 PM
Industry Insight: Turning the World Cup Moment into Sustained Momentum: Data, AI, and the Future of Soccer Engagement in America
As the 2026 FIFA World Cup brings an unprecedented wave of new fans and bettors, Sportradar is the engine fueling soccer fandom in America. This session explores how data, AI, and next-generation innovations are transforming the fan experience in real time, and how stakeholders can convert a global moment into sustained growth across the American soccer ecosystem.
Antonio Mora, Director, Rights & Strategic Partnerships, Sportradar
Moderator: Dan Kaufman, Managing Director, Sports Business Journal
3:25 PM
Networking Break
Hosted by:
3:55 PM
Inside the Concacaf Champions Cup: How Expanded Pathways Are Reshaping Regional Club Soccer
This session takes you inside Concacaf’s revamped competitive ecosystem to examine how these expanded pathways are elevating clubs, intensifying regional rivalries, and redefining what it means to be crowned regional club champion on the road to FIFA’s global tournaments. Attendees will gain insight into the strategic thinking behind the expanded competition and what it signals for the future growth of club soccer across North America, Central America, and the Caribbean.
Héctor González Iñárritu, Chief Operating Officer, Club America
Brad Mount, Senior Director of Programming and Acquisitions, ESPN
Katharine Rust Zike, Senior Director, Global Strategic Partnerships, Hilton
Moderator: David Cushnan, Content Director, Leaders in Sport
4:35 PM
Sustaining the Momentum: Unlocking the Next Phase of Growth for Women’s Soccer in North America
Leaders from across North America examine strategies to maintain the rapid growth of women’s soccer, with a focus on investment, media visibility, and revenue generation that ensure long-term commercial success and fan affinity.
Christina Litz, President, Northern Super League
Sarah Jones Simmer, Chief Operating Officer, NWSL
Amanda Vandervort, President, Gainbridge Super League
Moderator: Alex Silverman, Staff Reporter, Soccer, Sports Business Journal
5:15 PM
Fireside Chat
Clark Hunt, Chairman & CEO, Kansas City Chiefs and FC Dallas
Guest Moderator: Coy Wire, Sports Anchor and Correspondent, CNN
5:55 PM
Networking Reception
Truist Club and Delta Sky Club
Hosted by:
THURSDAY, March 26
8:30 AM
Breakfast
The Truist Club
SBJ Connect: Structured Networking
Right Wing, Delta Sky Club
SBJ Connect: Structured Networking is a facilitated networking experience focused on:
- Connecting attendees through guided conversations and topic-driven discussions
- Sharing insights and exchanging ideas
- Building lasting professional relationships in a structured yet relaxed setting
9:20 AM
Welcome Remarks
The Delta Sky Club
Host: Kevin Egan, Lead Studio Host, MLS on Apple TV
9:25 AM
Fireside Chat
Sir Mohamed Mansour, Chairman, San Diego FC, Man Capital LLP, Mansour Group
Guest Moderator: Coy Wire, Sports Anchor and Correspondent, CNN
10:05 AM
The World Cup Catalyst: Inside the Marketplace Shift Powering the Future of Soccer in America
Explore how the 2026 World Cup has become a true marketplace catalyst—transforming a moment into a sustained movement for soccer in America. This session highlights how broadcasters, brands, and agencies are adapting to surging fan engagement, shifting content consumption, and unprecedented commercial investment. Learn what it takes to win in a rapidly expanding soccer economy that’s reshaping the U.S. sports and media landscape.
Luis Silberwasser, Chairman and CEO, TNT Sports
Caroline Clayton, Senior Vice President of Communications and Chief Marketing Officer, American Airlines
David Wright, Chief Commercial Officer, U.S. Soccer
Guest Moderator: Nadja Bellan-White, CEO, M&C Saatchi North America
10:45 AM
Networking Break
11:05 AM
Fireside Chat
Arthur M. Blank, Chairman, AMB Sports & Entertainment
Moderator: Abe Madkour, Publisher & Executive Editor, Sports Business Journal
11:45 AM
The Global Media Moment: How Broadcasters and Streamers are Shaping the 2026 World Cup Experience
As North America prepares to host the 2026 World Cup, the tournament’s broadcasters are gearing up for one of the most ambitious coverage efforts in sports history. Executives share their vision, production strategy, and storytelling approach or delivering the tournament to millions of fans across the United States.
Judy Boyd, Executive Vice President, FOX Sports Productions
Quim Domènech, Executive Vice President of Global Content, DAZN
Miguel Lorenzo, Senior Vice President of Sports Content, NBCUniversal Telemundo Enterprises
Moderator: Austin Karp, Media Reporter, Sports Business Journal
12:25 PM
Lunch
1:30 PM
From 1994 to 2026: How a Pivotal Tournament Sparked a Modern Soccer Era
As the U.S. looks ahead to the 2026 World Cup, soccer in North America has reached a defining moment. Once a catalyst for growth, the 1994 World Cup now serves as a reference point in a much larger story, one that includes a mature domestic league, global stars, powerful media platforms, and a new generation of fans. This panel explores how the game has evolved from its early inflection points to today’s thriving ecosystem.
Roger Bennett, Founder & CEO, Men in Blazers Media Network
Landon Donovan, USMNT & MLS Legend, Author, Podcast Host, Broadcaster & Dad
Richard Motzkin, Executive Vice President, THE·TEAM
Guest Moderator: Kevin Egan, Lead Studio Host, MLS on Apple TV
2:10 PM
What Comes Next? Part I - Converting World Cup Excitement into Lifelong Fans of the Sport
Industry leaders explore tactics for turning the World Cup’s surge in attention into lasting fandom. Expect insights on grassroots programs, digital engagement, and cultural touch points that keep fans connected beyond the tournament.
Ryan Dillon, Chief Business Officer, Gotham FC
Radhika Duggal, Chief Marketing Officer, MLS
James Johnson, Group CEO, Canadian Soccer Media & Entertainment; Commissioner, Canadian Premier League
Moderator: Alex Silverman, Staff Reporter, Soccer, Sports Business Journal
2:50 PM
Networking Break
3:20 PM
What Comes Next? Part II - How Brands Are Making Long-Term Bets on Soccer in North America
Sponsors share how their activations translate into sustained investment strategies. This discussion examines how short-term exposure evolves into enduring partnerships that shape soccer’s commercial future in North America.
Kim Tunick, Head of Brand Experiences & Partnerships, Walmart
Allison Kolber, Vice President of Integrated Marketing, The Home Depot
Moderator: David Cushnan, Content Director, Leaders in Sport
4:00 PM
Building the Modern Soccer Economy: Concacaf, FIFA, and MLS on the Next Era of Growth
Concacaf, FIFA, and MLS executives explore how the organizations are driving innovation in media, commercial partnerships, competition formats, and regional development to unlock the next generation of revenue opportunities. This conversation will offer a forward-looking view of the systems, investments, and strategic alignment shaping the sport’s rapid acceleration across the region.
Romy Gai, Chief Business Officer, FIFA
Philippe Moggio, General Secretary, Concacaf
Gary Stevenson, Deputy Commissioner, MLS; President, Soccer United Marketing
Moderator: Abe Madkour, Publisher & Executive Editor, Sports Business Journal
4:40 PM
Closing Remarks
