CELEBRATING WOMEN IN SPORTS
The Game Changers Evening of Celebration will take place on September 30. It will provide the Game Changers Class of 2026, their guests, colleagues and conference attendees with an evening dedicated to recognizing the honorees and toasting them over an elevated cocktail reception. The reception also provides an incredible opportunity to network with some of the industry’s most influential leaders.
Nominations for the 2026 class will be open from March 9 to April 20, 2026.
ELEVATING WOMEN IN SPORTS
The 14th Game Changers Conference will be held on October 1 from 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM and will examine topics at the intersection of women and sports. While women’s sports will be covered, this conference is dedicated to highlighting women in sports business. Topics will be broad-reaching, and the programming will inform, inspire and empower professional development and personal growth. The day includes multiple opportunities to grow your network and build new relationships.
Past speakers have included former PepsiCo Chairman & CEO Indra Nooyi; NBA Commissioner Adam Silver; Ally Financial CMO Andrea Brimmer; Las Vegas Raiders President Sandra Douglass Morgan; WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert; U.S. Soccer President Cindy Parlow Cone; NWSL Commissioner Jessica Berman; Commissioner of the BIG EAST Val Ackerman; President of Learfield Sports Properties Kim Damron; KLUTCH Sports President of Football Nicole Lynn and Miami Marlins President Caroline O’Connor.
KEY THEMES AND TOPICS INCLUDE
Executive/Athlete Profiles
Leadership principles
Industry Trends
The Buying Power of Women
The State of Women’s Sports
A MUST-ATTEND EVENT FOR ANYONE DEDICATED TO
CELEBRATING & ELEVATING WOMEN IN SPORTS
CELEBRATING WOMEN IN SPORTS
The Game Changers Evening of Celebration will take place on September 30. It will provide the Game Changers Class of 2026, their guests, colleagues and conference attendees with an evening dedicated to recognizing the honorees and toasting them over an elevated cocktail reception. The reception also provides an incredible opportunity to network with some of the industry’s most influential leaders.
Nominations for the 2026 class will be open from March 9 to April 20, 2026.
ELEVATING WOMEN IN SPORTS
The 14th Game Changers Conference will be held on October 1 from 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM and will examine topics at the intersection of women and sports. While women’s sports will be covered, this conference is dedicated to highlighting women in sports business. Topics will be broad-reaching, and the programming will inform, inspire and empower professional development and personal growth. The day includes multiple opportunities to grow your network and build new relationships.
Past speakers have included former PepsiCo Chairman & CEO Indra Nooyi; NBA Commissioner Adam Silver; Ally Financial CMO Andrea Brimmer; Las Vegas Raiders President Sandra Douglass Morgan; WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert; U.S. Soccer President Cindy Parlow Cone; NWSL Commissioner Jessica Berman; Commissioner of the BIG EAST Val Ackerman; President of Learfield Sports Properties Kim Damron; KLUTCH Sports President of Football Nicole Lynn and Miami Marlins President Caroline O’Connor.
KEY THEMES AND TOPICS INCLUDE:
· Executive/Athlete Profiles
· Leadership principles
· Industry Trends
· The Buying Power of Women
· The State of Women’s Sports
Nominations Now Open
Launched in 2011, Game Changers: Women in Sports Business honors the industry’s most impactful leaders. Now expanding globally in partnership with Leaders in Sport, the program recognizes women whose leadership, innovation, and results are shaping the future of sports business worldwide.
Nominate a leader who demonstrates both breadth and depth of impact within her organization, across a league or sport, or throughout the community. We are seeking measurable achievement, bold thinking, and lasting influence.
NOMINATIONS CLOSE: APRIL 20, 2026 AT 11:59 PM EST
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Highlights from last year’s Game Changers
2026 Schedule
In an effort to help you make your travel plans prior to the agenda being announced, we are posting the schedule for this year’s Game Changers. The schedule has been designed to provide everyone with more networking opportunities and more time to meet with fellow attendees.
WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 30
THURSDAY OCTOBER 1
Game Changers Evening of Celebration 6th Floor | Broadway Ballroom
4:00 PM
Registration Opens
4:15 PM
Class of 2026 Networking Reception – Honorees Only Alumni Reception for Past Honorees – Invite Only
5:00 PM
Pre-Ceremony Reception – All Attendees
5:15 PM
Honoree Class Photo
6:00 PM
2026 Game Changers Honoree Ceremony
7:00 PM
Celebration Reception and Networking (heavy hors d’oeuvres)
8:30 PM
Reception Concludes
Game Changers Conference 6th Floor | Broadway Ballroom
8:00 AM
Registration Opens | Continental Breakfast & Networking
8:30 AM
SBJ Connect – Structured Networking
9:30 AM
General Sessions
11:00 AM
Networking Break
11:30 AM
General Sessions
12:30 PM
Networking Lunch
1:45 PM
General Sessions
3:00 PM
Networking Break
3:30 PM
General Sessions
5:15 PM
“Wine Down” Networking Reception
6:00 PM
Event Concludes
WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 30
Game Changers Evening of Celebration 6th Floor | Broadway Ballroom
4:00 PM
Registration Opens
4:15 PM
Class of 2026 Networking Reception – Honorees Only Alumni Reception for Past Honorees – Invite Only
5:00 PM
Pre-Ceremony Reception – All Attendees
5:15 PM
Honoree Class Photo
6:00 PM
2026 Game Changers Honoree Ceremony
7:00 PM
Celebration Reception and Networking (heavy hors d’oeuvres)
8:30 PM
Reception Concludes
THURSDAY OCTOBER 1
Game Changers Conference 6th Floor | Broadway Ballroom
8:00 AM
Registration Opens | Continental Breakfast & Networking
8:30 AM
SBJ Connect – Structured Networking
9:30 AM
General Sessions
11:00 AM
Networking Break
11:30 AM
General Sessions
12:30 PM
Networking Lunch
1:45 PM
General Sessions
3:00 PM
Networking Break
3:30 PM
General Sessions
5:15 PM
“Wine Down” Networking Reception
6:00 PM
Event Concludes
"This experience has given me the chance to reconnect with familiar faces and meet new ones. Expanding our networks at this level has been invaluable—not only with peers and colleagues, but also with younger professionals entering the industry. I’ve loved hearing their stories, learning from their perspectives, and hopefully sharing a bit of wisdom in return. The setting feels intimate and relaxed, allowing for real, authentic conversations without the rush of moving from one room to the next. Those built‑in moments for genuine connection have made this a truly meaningful experience."
Shaneika Dabney-Henderson Vice President of Content & Creative New Orleans Saints & Pelicans
“As women in sports, we have a responsibility to support other women in the industry—to help others just as we had mentors inspire and assist us—and SBJ’s Game Changers provides an environment to make those connections and build a support team to foster growth for all us."
Kim Damron President, Sports Properties Learfield
"This is one of the rare opportunities where women across the industry—emerging professionals and senior leaders alike—come together in the same room. It’s a space to truly collaborate and discuss what’s happening across all the leagues. And it’s not just about women’s empowerment; it’s about women in business and about expanding our influence and opportunities within the sports industry. I genuinely enjoy being part of it. It’s such a meaningful moment for us to come together and talk about how we’ll continue to be game changers."
Danita Johnson President DC United
INDUSTRY SEGMENTS
Leagues & Governing Bodies
Teams
Networks
Corporate Sponsors & Advertisers
Agencies
Players Associations
Intercollegiate Conferences
Colleges & Universities
EXECUTIVES & PROFESSIONALS ENGAGED WITH
Administration Operations Finance Marketing Communications Sales Hospitality & Events Programming Activation
ATTENDEES BY INDUSTRY SECTOR
ATTENDEES BY JOB TITLE
Pricing
Group Pricing Special rates for groups of three or more from the same company are available for this event. To find out more, email attend@sportsbusinessjournal.com.
Sponsors
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