Ankit Ahuja
Basketball Operations Executive
CAA Sports
Age: 29
Born: San Clemente, Calif.
Education: New York University, B.S., sports management
Ankit Ahuja leads recruiting strategies for CAA Sports’ basketball division, supporting NBA players, including Trae Young, Nickeil Alexander-Walker and Reed Sheppard. He also heads the division’s social and digital media efforts, expanding its digital footprint and developing content that boosts the agency’s visibility.
Social cause I’m most passionate about: Creating pathways for kids from lower-income neighborhoods to break into the sports industry by giving them access, resources and mentorship that open doors to opportunities they might not otherwise have.
How I consume sports content: YouTube TV and X (Twitter).
How my expectations of a job in sports business matched reality: I didn’t fully realize how important strong relationships are to getting business done in sports. The industry is small, and genuine relationships allow you to get a lot done.
Impact of Gen Z’s viewing habits on live events: Live events, more than ever, need to provide a premium experience. They remain the North Star, but Gen Z wants the best food, service and overall experience when attending sports in that medium.
Best use cases for AI in sports: Seeing how AI has been used in the MLB All-Star Game and Grand Slam tennis is a great use case. Getting every ball versus strike correct and every line call right in tennis provides the viewer with a better experience.
When I attend a sporting event, I want … : Efficiency. I don’t want to wait in long lines to enter the arena, buy food or drinks and exit. Any event where I can get in and out with ease is ideal.
You would be surprised to know that I … : Have a twin brother.
