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The 2026 SPM Business of Sport Symposium is Coming Soon!

Connect with top sport industry professionals, discover new ideas, and gain insights into the evolving business of sport. Learn more and reserve your place in this amazing event.

Learn More About BOSS
Panelists sit behind a table at the 2025 BOSS event by SPM

Business of Sport Symposium (BOSS)


University of Florida Department of Sport Management

Registration

Join Us at the 2026 Business of Sport Symposium

Registration for the 2026 Business of Sport Symposium will open soon. Check back for updates and reserve your place to connect with sport industry leaders, faculty, alumni, and students.

Registration Opens August 2026

Additional registration details and attendance information will be announced as they become available.

About the Symposium

The University of Florida Department of Sport Management is proud to present the 2026 Business of Sport Symposium (BOSS). BOSS serves as the premier intersection for aspiring student professionals, world-class faculty, and elite sports industry executives.

Over the course of this dynamic two-day event, attendees will gain access to keynote presentations, interactive panel discussions, and structured networking sessions led by leaders shaping the landscape of modern sports business. Whether your interest lies in front-office operations, sports marketing, analytics, or athlete representation, BOSS is designed to bridge the gap between experiential learning and industry-based practices.

Goal

Our goal is to empower the next generation of sports business leaders by providing an immersive forum that fosters innovation, facilitates mentorship, and drives meaningful action around the evolving challenges and opportunities within the global sports industry.

Attend the Symposium

Date + Location

Where

Reitz Union – 686 Museum Road, Gainesville, FL 32611 –  Rion Ball Room

When
  • Mon, Nov 9, 2026 (8:30 am – 5:30 pm)
  • Tues, Nov 10, 2026 (8:30 am – 1:00 pm)

Getting Here

Map preview

Parking

  • Guests staying at the Reitz Union Hotel receive free gated rooftop parking for one vehicle.
  • Garage XII is located at Reitz Union, at the corner of Museum Road and Reitz Union Drive.
  • Additional parking is available at Garage 5 located on Gale Lemerand Drive.
  • These garages are unrestricted pay facilities available to all visitors and members of the UF community run by UF’s Transportation and Parking Services (TAPS). For more information on garage hours and fees visit: TAPS Visitor Parking
  • Guests staying at the Reitz Union Hotel receive free gated rooftop parking for one vehicle.

Program

The Future of Sport Leadership: Insights for a Changing Industry

Explore the tentative schedule for the 2026 Business of Sport Symposium. Program details are subject to change as sessions and speakers are finalized.

Day One

Monday, November 9, 2026 · 8:15 a.m.–6:00 p.m.

8:15–9:00 a.m.

Check-in & Networking

All attendees

9:10–9:20 a.m.

Welcome & Opening Remarks

Speakers: Dean Reid, Dr. Kaplanidou, Presenting Sponsor

9:25–10:25 a.m.

Panel

Alumni in the Sport Industry: Career Paths and Lessons Learned

Speakers:
  • Ashley Smith — CAA, NFL Player Development
  • Brett Lang — Unfold Agency, SVP Strategic Partnerships
  • David Bearman — Betting with Bearman, LLC., Founder

Moderator: Jack Lunitz — GSMO President

10:40–11:30 a.m.

Panel

Leading the Game: Sport Executives Career Advice

Speakers:
  • Alex Diaz
  • Chris Gargani
  • Joleen Cacciatore Miller
  • Jonathan Perzley
  • Sara Toussaint
  • Sanja Komljenovic
  • Taryn Morgan
  • Steve Stowe
  • Mike Sapiro

Moderator: Carrisa Ware — WISE President

11:30–11:35 a.m.

BOSS Summary / Opening of Lunch

Speaker: Lunch Sponsor

11:45 a.m.–12:35 p.m.

Keynote

Olympic Competition Mgmt

Speaker: Gustavo Costa — LA Games Organizing Committee

12:50–1:40 p.m.

Panel

After the Whistle: A FIFA Postmortem on Success and Controversies

Speakers:
  • Aldo Kafie — FIFA, Head of Partnership Management
  • Doug Scott — Advising FIFA

Moderator: Dr. Kaplanidou

1:55–2:45 p.m.

Panel

Leading in NIL Space: Unlocking Marketing and Brand Potential

Speakers:
  • Justin Giangrande — NETWORK Advisory, Founder/CEO
  • Stu Gower — Red Bull, Director of Sport Marketing
  • Daniel Morgan — Managing Partner at Morgan & Morgan

Moderator: Kristi Dosh

3:00–3:50 p.m.

Panel

Sport Data Analytics: Driving Smarter Decisions in Sport

Speakers:
  • Mike Band — NFL Next Gen Stats Research & Analytics
  • Dr. Scott Nestler — UF SPM Professor of Practice & Director of Sport Analytics Lab
  • Dr. Sanethia Thomas — UF CIS/ENG Instructional Associate Professor

Moderator: Student

4:05–4:55 p.m.

Panel

Greening the Game: Sustainability in the Sport Industry

Speakers:
  • Riley Bahr — Blue Strike Environmental, Director of Sustainable Programs
  • Brazos Barker — PGA, Director of Sustainable Programs
  • Jenna Maloy — Fanatics, Director of Sustainability

Moderator: Randall Penn

4:55–5:00 p.m.

Closing

Speaker: Presenting Sponsor

5:00–6:00 p.m.

Networking

Networking — SPM Students Only

Networking

7:00 p.m.

Dinner

Attendees: Speakers

Day Two

Tuesday, November 10, 2026 · 8:15 a.m.–1:30 p.m.

8:15–9:00 a.m.

Check-in & Networking

All attendees

9:10–9:15 a.m.

Welcome

Speakers: Dr. Kaplanidou, Presenting Sponsor

9:15–10:00 a.m.

Speaker

Operations?

Speaker: George Dudas — NHL, VP Business Development Global Partnerships

10:10–10:55 a.m.

Sport and Entertainment Law

Speakers: Tampa Bay Bucks, Orlando City, & NASCAR

Moderator: Madison Maroulis

11:00–11:45 a.m.

Speaker

How to Tell Your Story

Speaker: Justin Sternberg — Fanatics, Head of Business Marketing/Creative Strategy

11:50 a.m.–12:35 p.m.

Panel

Sport Marketing Research: Analyzing Sport Fandom

Speakers:
  • Rob Stecklow — SVP, Paramount+
  • Neil Schwartz — SBRnet Inc., President

Moderator: Dr. Norm O’Reily — UF SPM Professor

12:35–12:40 p.m.

Final Takeaways

Speakers: Presenting Sponsor, Dr. Kaplanidou

12:40–1:30 p.m.

Networking

Networking — SPM Students Only

All

Meet Our Speakers

Profile Placeholder

Profile Placeholder – Role
Place of Work

Speaker biography coming soon.

Sponsors

Sponsorship information and confirmed sponsors will be added as they become available.

Presenting Sponsor

Logo Coming Soon

Lunch Sponsor

Logo Coming Soon

Supporting Sponsors

Logos Coming Soon

FAQs and Networking Tips

The Sport Management Department within the College of Health and Human Performance strongly supports your professional development and will officially excuse students from their SPM classes to attend the symposium on Monday, November 9, and Tuesday, November 10.

You must physically sign in at the BOSS registration desk with a designated SPM faculty member

Day 1 & Day 2 Check in: Simply showing up to the ballroom is not enough. Locate the faculty check-in station upon your arrival each morning, sign the official attendance sheet, and verify your name.

  • Note: If you fail to sign in with the faculty member on-site, your absence will not be excused. If you have non-SPM classes during these times, please consult your respective professors individually well in advance.
We highly recommend that the dress code for all symposium sessions, panels, and networking events be business professional.
  • Day 1, Monday, November 9th: A catered lunch is provided courtesy of our Lunch Sponsor. Light refreshments and snacks will also be available during the afternoon networking breaks.
  • Day 2, Tuesday, November 10th: Mid-morning snacks and refreshments will be provided to keep students fueled through the final panels and closing remarks.

Networking is one of the most valuable aspects of the Business of Sport Symposium. Whether you’re exploring career paths or building professional relationships, consider these tips:

• Introduce yourself confidently. Prepare a brief introduction that includes your name, academic program or role, and career interests.
• Do your homework. Review the speaker and panelist information before the event and identify individuals you’d like to meet.
• Ask thoughtful questions. Engage speakers and industry professionals with questions about their career paths, industry trends, or advice for emerging professionals.
• Be an active listener. Meaningful networking is about building relationships, not just exchanging contact information.
• Bring business cards or have your LinkedIn profile ready. A QR code linked to your LinkedIn profile can make it easy to connect.
• Attend networking sessions and breaks. Informal conversations during meals, breaks, and receptions often lead to valuable connections.
• Follow up after the event. Send a brief thank-you message or LinkedIn invitation within a few days to maintain the connection.
• Focus on learning. Networking is most effective when approached with curiosity and a genuine interest in others’ experiences.

Don’t worry, many attendees are networking for the first time. Start by introducing yourself to fellow students, asking questions during sessions, and attending organized networking activities. Industry professionals attending the symposium are often eager to share their experiences and support students interested in careers in the sport industry.

Business casual attire is recommended. Professional dress can help create a positive first impression and prepare you for interactions with industry leaders and potential employers.

Speakers may be available during designated networking periods and other event activities. Please be respectful of their time and follow any event guidelines regarding speaker interactions.

The Business of Sport Symposium is designed to connect students, alumni, faculty, and industry professionals, helping attendees learn about career opportunities and gain insights into the evolving sport industry.

Contact Us

Whether you’re interested in attending, sponsoring, or volunteering, we’d love to hear from you.

General Questions

Questions about the symposium, schedule, registration, or attending.

Contact Us

Sponsorship Information

Interested in becoming a sponsor or supporting the symposium?

Become a Sponsor

Volunteer Opportunities

If you are interested in volunteering for this event, please contact Carissa Ware at ware.cj@ufl.edu

Volunteer

Accessibility

The University of Florida is committed to providing an accessible and inclusive experience for all participants. Individuals requiring accommodations to attend or participate in the Business of Sport Symposium should contact the event organizers as early as possible. Reasonable accommodations may be available for mobility, hearing, vision, dietary, and other accessibility needs. Advance notice will help ensure appropriate arrangements can be made.

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