2026 Entertainment, Media, & Sports Conference
Theme: Built to Last
2026 Entertainment, Media and Sports Conference
The HBS 2026 Entertainment, Media, and Sports Conference, produced in collaboration between the HBS Business of Sports Club and the HBS Entertainment & Media Club, is an annual gathering that brings together executives, investors, operators, and students from across the sports and entertainment industries. This year's theme, Built to Last, set the stage for a full day of panels, fireside chats, and keynotes exploring how today's leaders are building enduring brands, platforms, and experiences in an era of rapid change. From the boardroom to the locker room, the conference bridges the gap between HBS students and the practitioners actively shaping the future of the industry.
2026 Conference Key Topics:
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The Next Chapter: Inside F1's Commercial Global Growth - How Formula 1 turned fan engagement into a global growth engine; from storytelling and 360° content to converting casual viewers into lifelong fans across new international markets.
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The Future of College Sports: A candid look at how NIL, revenue sharing, and private capital are reshaping college athletics from an amateur endeavor into a full-blown commercial enterprise.
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Keynote with Dana White: The UFC President shared how he built one of the most valuable sports properties in the world, and what it really takes to stay authentic, bet on your product, and build something that lasts.
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Getting in the Game: Investing in Sports: From youth sports spending to women's leagues, panelists broke down where the most compelling investment opportunities in sports are being built, and why infrastructure is everything.
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Breaking Barriers: Women Leaders in Athlete Representation - A powerful conversation on how the best agents lead with authenticity and genuine advocacy, and why that approach is more important than ever as women's sports continues its rise.
Past Conferences
2025 Entertainment, Media and Sports Conference
Key Topics:
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Investing in Sports: Sports has evolved into a fast-growing asset class driven by media rights, globalization, and new monetization models.
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Innovation in Fan Engagement: Organizations are rethinking leagues, content, and activation strategies to reach fans authentically at scale.
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Athlete Empowerment: Athletes are expanding beyond the field to build brands, launch ventures, and shape their long-term careers.
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Future of Sports Media - with Bill Simmons and The Ringer team: Sports media is moving toward faster, more immersive, and real-time content that matches evolving fan expectations.
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Building a Sports Dynasty - with Clara Wu Tsai: Long-term success comes from integrated operations, patient investment, and a strong commitment to community and purpose.
2024 Entertainment, Media and Sports Conference
The conference featured keynote conversations with Jason Blum, Founder & CEO of Blumhouse Productions, Mark Tatum, Deputy Commissioner of the NBA, and Craig Erwich, President of Disney Television Group. Together, they shared insights on building enduring brands, scaling creative platforms, and navigating the evolving sports and entertainment landscape.
