“The sports business is stronger than ever and it’s got more opportunity than ever. … Sports fans are some of the most passionate people in the world, and I think after COVID, people just wanted to have fun. What better way to do that than with sports? It’s great to see that resilience.”
Michael Rubin,Fanatics
“This is the moment in time where we get to build and focus on our product, and really continue to grow our network in our community. So we’re excited by the challenge. And we’re not going anywhere.”
Preston Peters,Crypto.com
“We harnessed sports with insights and analytics. Once you do that, sports can be your rocket fuel. Modelo is the No. 2 beer brand in the U.S. We think it will be No. 1 within a few years and sports has been a big part of that.”
Rene Ramos,Constellation Brands
“We will be very shortly a mainstream sport. The only thing separating us is the years of existence. When you look at all of the accomplishments and the accolades and the fan growth and all of those different ingredients that we have like every other mainstream sport, there’s no reason if you put us up against any of those, and you give us 70 more years, that we’re not at that stature.”
Rachel Jacobson,Drone Racing League
“There is no industry that has been kicked as hard as this industry — the sports industry, the live entertainment industry, the music industry, the facility industry — over the last two years. COVID kicked our ass. Not a lot of people wanted to help us off the floor and the mat. There weren’t a lot of people talking about the pain and what you all had to go through, and yet, like most things in life, this industry led the way back. It led with, not only how we keep people safe, but ultimately making sure we gave the world a reason to cheer.”
Tim Leiweke,Oak View Group
“Even with our success, we still operate with a kind of chip on our shoulder and still think there’s a huge amount of growth left for the UFC in the U.S. and around the world, so the way we feel, it’s just the beginning for us.”
Lawrence Epstein,UFC
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marc bryan-brown Jessica Gelman (second from left) presented the award for Best in Social Media. With her are: Valerie Camillo, Marie Donoghue, Kelly Laferrerie and Dasha Smith.
marc bryan-brown Former New England Patriots wide receiver Julian Edelman was in attendance to see his former boss, team owner Robert Kraft, be honored with SBJ’s Lifetime Achievement Award.
marc bryan-brown Oak View Group CEO Tim Leiweke presented the award for Best in Sports Media.
marc bryan-brown Jon Patricof, CEO and co-founder of Athletes Unlimited.
marc bryan-brown SBJ’s Abe Madkour with Robert Kraft.
marc bryan-brown NASCAR President Steve Phelps was nominated for Sports Executive of the Year.
marc bryan-brown Longtime television executive Joe Cohen (left) and Drew Sheinman of Brand Velocity Group.
marc bryan-brown A close-up of the hardware
marc bryan-brown The Duke’s Mayo team spices up the banquet meal.
marc bryan-brown SBJ Publisher and Executive Editor Abe Madkour and ESPN’s Laura Rutledge take the stage.
marc bryan-brown Elizabeth Lindsey, Shelley Pisarra, Eileen Silvergleid and Thayer Lavielle
marc bryan-brown Lost Boyz Inc.’s LaVonte Stewart Sr., Vada Manager and Kenneth Shropshire
marc bryan-brown Chuck Baker, Len Perna and Haynes Hendrickson
marc bryan-brown John Tatum and Charlie Turano
marc bryan-brown Nick Baker, Mike Kitts, Rene Ramos and Russell Silvers
marc bryan-brown NBA Commissioner Adam Silver shares a few words with Lifetime Achievement Award honoree Robert Kraft.
