Harvard Undergraduate Sports Lab

To close off the 2nd Annual Harvard Undergraduate Sports Lab (HUSL) Sports Business Conference, Josh Harris, Co-Founder of Apollo, Co-Founder of Harris Blitzer Sports Entertainment, and Managing Partner of the Washington Commanders, took to the stage in “Building a Global Sports Empire with Josh Harris.” Hosted by Anita Elberse, the Lincoln Filene Professor of Business Administration at Harvard Business School, Harris shared his journey into owning a sports portfolio that includes a NFL, NBA, NHL, NASCAR, and Premier League team. Throughout the conversation, Harris highlighted the importance of creating community with a team and city. As a Washington Commanders fan growing up, Harris expressed how much it means to him to give back. According to Harris, “Investing in our teams isn’t just about winning games; it’s about bringing people together and creating lasting memories. When we put our resources behind not only building strong teams but also fostering vibrant, engaged and equitable communities, we’re creating a foundation for long-term impact, both on and off the field, court or ice.” Harris emphasized the importance of culture, people, and talent over strategy when it comes to curating a winning team. Thank you so much to Josh Harris and Anita Elberse for the amazing conversation! Photos by: Dylan Goodman, HUSL Head of Marketing

In a fireside chat with NBA Super Agent Bill Duffy and Harvard Law School Professor Peter Carfagna at HUSL’s second annual Sports Business Conference, attendees had the chance to hear the latest perspectives on the NBA and WNBA, as well as advice on what being an effective agent entails. Duffy, a retired NBA player who serves as an agent to current stars such as Luka Don?i? and Sabrina Ionescu, highlighted the importance of building strong interpersonal relationships and developing a reputation for dependability. He gave examples from his personal career, recounting the numerous times he has picked up the phone in the middle of the night to handle a public relations crisis. He emphasized the impact of social media in changing how he protects players today, as it expands the range of interactions and coverage that agents must now monitor. He described how sponsors will now do a “deep dive” on players’ social media, making it critical for players to maintain a positive presence online. Duffy also reflected on the benefits of joining WME (William Morris Endeavor), a powerhouse agency in the media and entertainment world, which he joined after 25 years of running his independent firm, BDA Sports Management. He stated the marketing operations “just can’t compete,” with what a large agency like WME provides, said bringing his experience and staff to the resources that WME provides was a key factor in his recent success. The power of women’s basketball was a topic frequently referenced by Duffy and Carfagna, with Ionescu’s success – on and off of the court – as a key example. He said his office is “really uplifting the women’s game because they deserve that.” Ionescu, whose signature shoe was worn by 77 NBA players last year, was involved at every level – from design and marketing to distribution – according to Duffy. He attributed the success of her shoe to her engagement, and referenced their relationship as evidence of the importance of putting in face time as an agent. Duffy said despite a busy schedule, a top priority of his is being present with clients and their families, a trait that has enabled his success as an agent. Duffy concluded the conversation with reflections on emerging trends in the world of sports media, with particular attention to the rise of alternative sources of sports coverage. He said that with sports as a key space for authenticity and diversion from real life, the rise of intense media scrutiny and the expansion of platforms and content outflow comes as no surprise. Thank you so much to Bill and Peter for participating in this enlightening discussion with HUSL! Photos by, Dylan Goodman, HUSL Director of Marketing

Former NFL quarterback and Harvard alumnus Ryan Fitzpatrick kicked off the second annual HUSL Sports Business Conference at a fireside chat with Harvard Athletic Director Erin McDermott. In the conversation, Fitzpatrick, who now serves as an analyst for Amazon’s Thursday Night Football, recounted lessons in leadership and balance from his 17-year career in the NFL. Fitzpatrick described his time at Harvard as formative for his future career: throughout his NFL career, he said he wore his Harvard experience as a “badge of honor,” and was often known as “the Harvard guy” in locker rooms. As an ambassador for the program, he said he played to make the school proud. Having played for nine NFL teams, Fitzpatrick had a unique view of team culture. He described the dynamics of both good and bad cultures, where disconnects between leadership and players could create toxic environments. His own philosophy focused on equal treatment, saying, “no one’s worth more than anyone else.” Fitzpatrick also shared his perspective on the future of the NFL, focusing on flag football growth initiatives and efforts to boost the league’s international fan base. He described flag football as lowering the barrier to entry to football, focusing on the minimal equipment needed. Flag football is crucial to the NFL’s growth, according to Fitzpatrick, as it can help drive global growth and create further global relevance. He added that kids who play football are approximately four times more likely to be NFL fans, making youth involvement vital for the league’s vitality. In the age of sports gambling, Fitzpatrick acknowledged the balance between integrity and financial opportunity. With the NFL’s acceptance of gambling partnerships, he highlighted the importance of protecting the game’s integrity. Like many other panelists during the conference, he reminded attendees of the importance of balancing time with family among career changes. As the father of seven children, he credited his wife, fellow Harvard alumna Liza Barber, with helping the family dive into the community of each city they lived in “as if they would live there for 10 years.” Ending his session on the most controversial note yet, Fitzpatrick proclaimed his loyalty to Pinnochio’s Pizza – a long-time favorite among Harvard College students – which faces a recent challenge from the opening of Joe’s Pizza just a few blocks away. Photos by Dylan Goodman, HUSL Director of Matketing

At the final panel of HUSL’s Sports Business Conference on Saturday afternoon, Clearlake Capital Managing Director David Beeston, Islanders Co-Owner Jon Ledecky, and Chicago Sky Co-Owner Nadia Rawlinson discussed sports as an asset class. Anita Elberse the Lincoln Filene Professor of Business Administration at Harvard Business School, moderated the panel, which featured topics such as best business practices in sports ownership and the unique position of sports as an investment opportunity. Rawlinson said she believes that disciplined execution is the key to taking women’s sports teams “from good to great.” She emphasized that successful business people can make a tangible impact, bringing stability and discipline to organizations that have historically been less well-funded. Beeston echoed this sentiment, noting that savvy business people “can drive results at the margins,” especially in a sports world, where, “if you don’t perform on the field, nothing else matters.” Ledecky pointed to the strength of women’s sports as an area to follow in sports business, noting that “the outsize returns in women’s sports are there.” Beeston added that women’s sports remain in a growth phase and described room for growth at all levels for women’s sports viewership. Ledecky also highlighted a shift in sports team ownership: unlike in other industries, simply breaking even can be seen as a win in sports. “Depending on the wealth of the group, there is no cap on operational expenses,” he pointed out. This lack of restriction allows wealthier ownership groups the flexibility to invest for long-term growth rather than focusing solely on immediate profits. Rawlinson emphasized the importance of understanding sports’ particular nature as a venue for connection and community, making them valuable in a distinct way from other assets. As private equity firms continue to invest in sports and sports-adjacent businesses, Rawlinson said the best private equity firms understand that “sports still have a soul.” Looking to the future of the industry, Ledecky warned against the increasing fragmentation of sports broadcasting, while Rawlinson reflected on the process of raising capital for women’s sports. Even amidst momentum and energy around the WNBA, she said it didn’t always translate into “people writing checks,” and added that large companies were not always willing to invest sponsorship money. Thank you to Anita, Jon, David, and Nadia for their thoughtful comments and engagement with conference attendees! Photos by Dylan Goodman, HUSL Director of Marketing

The Harvard Undergraduate Sports Lab had the immense pleasure of hosting Chrissy Corcoran, Nathán Goldberg Crenier , Annie Mauck, and Kirby Porter, in the“Leadership and Strategy in Transforming Sports Organizations” panel this past Saturday. Moderated by Ben Shields, Senior Lecturer at MIT Sloan School of Management, this panel helped contextualize the buzzwords “leadership” and “strategy” in the sports industry. Corcoran, Executive of Business Intelligence and Growth Strategy at CAA Brand Consulting, kicked off the discussion by defining leadership as “accountability and adaptability.” For her, “It’s about being that role model on the team.” Leadership as defined by Goldberg, Vice President of the U.S. Soccer Federation, stresses the importance of having a vision and knowing where you want to end up. “You have to have buy-in. You have to relate to the people you are working with.” Both Mauck, Business Transformation Director and Chief of Staff at the WNBA, and Porter, Chief Brand Officer at Unrivaled, emphasized releasing control and taking a step back at times to evaluate where progress is heading. When asked to share their top leadership challenges, the panelists reflected on how they want to promote growth while maintaining the health of their organizations. For Porter, who is getting ready to launch Unrivaled Basketball, a new women’s basketball league, the biggest challenge is thinking long-term about the infrastructure needed to get the league off the ground. In contrast, Mauck points out the challenge of managing the pressure from lots of eyeballs as the WNBA is heading into its almost 30th season. “The market is dictating our pace right now…as a leader, we are making sure we are meeting the moment.” Similarly, Goldberg highlighted “We are entering the most exciting 5-7 years in U.S. Soccer… we have to align all our members’ interests.” For Corcoran, challenges come in the form of finding new and innovative ways to connect with brands. This transitioned the discussion towards a talk of strategy and the best way to find those new connections. Through dialogue about principle alignment, goal setting, communication, and discipline, the panelists underscored how there’s no one-size-fits-all strategy in the sports industry. As Shields summarized, “Always be a student of the business.” Thank you Ben for moderating a perceptive discussion and a huge thank you to our panelists for sharing their work with us! Photos by: Dylan Goodman, HUSL Director of Marketing

Last week, Josh Harris spoke at Harvard Undergraduate Sports Lab's conference, joined by Marjorie Harris and Thomas Harris in the audience! Josh shared insights into his leadership philosophy across his sports franchises and underscored the power of stewardship. In his words, “Investing in our teams isn’t just about winning games; it’s about bringing people together and creating lasting memories. When we put our resources behind not only building strong teams but also fostering vibrant, engaged and equitable communities, we’re creating a foundation for long-term impact, both on and off the field, court or ice.” At Harris Philanthropies, we’re proud to help advance that mission. Grateful to partner with Harvard University to support students going into sports management and deepen the talent pipeline, as well as work with our colleagues at Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment, Washington Commanders Foundation, Sixers Youth Foundation, Devils Youth Foundation and Palace for Life Foundation to drive positive impact in the cities where our teams play. Photo Credit: Dylan Goodman

The Harvard Undergraduate Sports Lab (HUSL) is honored to have welcomed Katie Bynum Aznavorian, Jon Hay, Anne (Mihalyfi) Ristau, and Angela Ruggiero as panelists to its Annual Sports Business Conference on Saturday. Hosted by Pete Giorgio, Global and U.S. Sports Practice Leader at Deloitte, the “Insights to Impact: Using Data to Drive Brand Growth” panel? highlighted the role data plays in the sports industry. The panelists kicked off by explaining the importance of data in their work. Ruggiero, Founder of Sports Innovation Lab and 4x Olympic Medalist, believes “Sports has shifted from a sports business to a consumer business to an entertainment product.” Hay, who works as Senior Vice President of Business Strategy and Analytics at the Boston Red Sox, added “Sports is entertainment… People are looking for more than just baseball now.” For Hay, that means organizing cultural nights, concerts, and other events at Fenway Park to increase community engagement based on what the people want. For Bynum Aznavorian, Chief Strategy and Growth Officer of the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee, that means creating personalized engagement throughout the weeks-long Games. She mentioned the vitalness of understanding engagement barriers. “We were super intentional in order to make the Paris 2024 Games magical.” Ristau, Co-Head of Consulting at Navigate, pointed out how data can help navigate the complex media market surrounding sports. “How do teams attract all types of fans when there’s so much competition for your eyeballs?”? In an engaging dialogue, the panelists also explored how data is accelerating the rise in women’s sports, how data collection and usage should be done carefully, and how the AI boom is affecting data gathering. Ultimately, data will serve as a catalyst to making the next big sporting events a one-of-a-kind experience for consumers.? Thank you so much to our panelists for sharing your insights with us and to Pete for moderating the conversation. ??: Dylan Goodman, HUSL Director of Marketing

Appreciated the invitation to speak at Harvard with David Beeston and Jon Ledecky on lucrative asset classes, rising media rights, PE interests and the continued rise of women’s sports. Led by the esteemed Anita Elberse. Tai Tatum and team, you have created a juggernaut with the HUSL Sports Business Conference. Bravo

On Saturday, November 2, 2024, the Harvard Undergraduate Sports Lab (HUSL) hosted its 2nd Annual Sports Business Conference, uniting students with trailblazers in the sports business industry. The day began with keynote speaker?Ryan Fitzpatrick, 17-year NFL Quarterback and Harvard Alumnus, hosted by John D. Nichols ‘53 Family Director of Harvard Athletics,?Erin McDermott . Fitzpatrick walked through the challenges and triumphs throughout his career. The second keynote session showcased?Bill Duffy, NBA Super-Agent at WME Sports, and host?Peter Carfagna, Chairman and CEO of Magic LLC and Faculty Advisor at Harvard Law School, in a fireside chat exploring life as an agent for top athletes The conference also featured three panels. “Insights to Impact: Using Data to Drive Brand Growth”?featured?Katie Bynum Aznavorian, Chief Strategy and Growth Officer of the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee; Jon Hay, Senior Vice President of Business Strategy and Analytics at the Boston Red Sox;?Anne (Mihalyfi) Ristau, Co-Head of Consulting at Navigate; and Angela Ruggiero, Founder of Sports Innovation Lab and 4x Olympic Medalist. The conversation on transitioning sports to a consumer-driven entertainment product was moderated by?Pete Giorgio,?Global and U.S. Sports Practice Leader a Deloitte. “Leadership and Strategy in Transforming Sports Organizations”?compared and contrasted leadership across the sports industry. Chrissy Corcoran, Executive of Business Intelligence and Growth Strategy at CAA Brand Consulting;?Nathán Goldberg Crenier, VP of the U.S. Soccer Federation; Annie Mauck, Business Transformation Director and Chief of Staff at the WNBA and Kirby Porter, Chief Brand Officer at Unrivaled sat on this panel with Ben Shields, Senior Lecturer in Managerial Communication at MIT Sloan, as moderator. For the third panel of the day, Anita Elberse, the Lincoln Filene Professor of Business Administration at Harvard Business School, hosted David Beeston, Managing Partner of Clearlake Capital;?Jon Ledecky, Co-Owner of the New York Islanders; and Nadia Rawlinson, Co-Owner and Operating Chairman of the Chicago Sky for?“Winning Returns: The Case for Sports as a Strategic Investment,”?which explored how sports teams have become lucrative assets and highlighted the importance of investment in women’s sports. Closing keynote Josh Harris, Co-Founder of Apollo Global Management and Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment, spoke with Professor Elberse on his journey from sports fan to multi-billion-dollar investor. Thank you to all our amazing speakers, moderators, board members, sponsors, and attendees for making this event so spectacular! Photos By: Dylan Goodman, HUSL Director of Marketing Tolu Ademola, HUSL Co-Head of Digital Content HUSL’s feature in the Sports Business Journal: https://lnkd.in/eSDFUnwk

Find the agenda for the HUSL Sports Business Conference and prepare for a day of invaluable insights with leaders in the sports industry. There’s still an opportunity to secure your tickets using the link below: HUSL Tickets: https://lnkd.in/ewDEZisZ