SAVE THE DATE
October 16, 2026
The Wharton School
Jon M. Huntsman Hall
3730 Walnut Street
Philadelphia PA, 19104
Join us for a full day of big ideas, bold perspectives, and lasting connections.
The 2026 Wharton Sports Business Summit will take place on Friday, October 16 at Jon M. Huntsman Hall on the University of Pennsylvania’s campus in Philadelphia.
Organized jointly by Wharton students with support from the Wharton Sports Analytics and Business Initiative, the Summit brings together the sharpest minds shaping the future of sports business.
Past speakers have included:
- Val Ackerman, Commissioner, Big East Conference
- Ian Anderson, Director of Hockey Strategy and Analytics, Philadelphia Flyers
- David Blitzer, Founder and Managing General Partner of Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment
- Jill Bodensteiner, Vice President and Director of Athletics, Saint Joseph’s University
- Annie Duke, Former Professional Poker Player
- Tobias Harris, Forward, Detroit Pistons
- Josh Harris, Founder and Managing General Partner of Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment
- Dr. China Jude, President of Business Operations, Motor City Cruise
- Corinne Landrey, Director, Baseball Operations, Philadelphia Phillies
- John Middleton, Managing Partner & Principal Owner, Philadelphia Phillies
- Sandra L. Richards, Managing Director & Head of Global Sports & Entertainment, Morgan Stanley Wealth Management
- Michael Rubin, Chairman of Fanatics
- Bill Schlough, Chief Information Officer, San Francisco Giants
- Lew Sherr, President of Business Operations, New York Mets
- Kiki Vandeweghe, EVP of Basketball Operations, NBA
Past Keynote Speakers
Watch the four most recent keynote sessions featuring influential voices across the sports business industry.
The Future of American Soccer: Inside the MLS Growth Playbook
Tim McDermott
President, Philadelphia Union
Moderated by Jeff Klein
Executive Director, Wharton Leadership Program
How Sports Became a Trillion-Dollar Asset Class
Dave Dase
Co-head of the Sports Franchise in Investment Banking, Goldman Sachs
Moderated by Josh Empson
Partner and Co-Head of Sports, Media and Entertainment, Sixth Street
The Future of Tennis: US Open, Pickleball, and NIL
Lewis Sherr
CEO and Executive Director of the United States Tennis Association (USTA)
Moderated by Katrina Adams
Executive Director, Harlem Junior Tennis and Education Program, Inc.; Author, Sports Analyst, Past President & Chairman USTA; Honorary Lifetime VP, ITF
What It Takes to Win: Phillies’ Owner John Middleton on Baseball Success & Strategy
John Middleton
Managing Partner & Chief Executive Officer of the Philadelphia Phillies
Moderated by Asuka Nakahara
Explore more videos from the Summit and other WSABI events on our YouTube playlist below.
Company Network
A showcase of leading companies represented by previous Summit attendees.
Dick’s Sporting Goods
ESPN
FanDuel
Fox Sports
IBM
JP Morgan
Madison Square Garden
MLB
NBA
NFL
Philadelphia 76ers
Professional Women’s Hockey League
Turner Sports
Wells Fargo
Philadelphia Eagles
Philadelphia Flyers
Partner with Us: Sponsorship Opportunities
The Wharton Sports Business Summit brings together future leaders and top professionals at the intersection of sports, business, and analytics. Sponsors gain valuable visibility among a dynamic audience and help support programming that advances thought leadership in the industry.
Last year’s Summit engaged 275+ students, 30+ speakers, and professionals from 15 major companies.
Download our sponsorship deck here to explore opportunities for visibility and engagement. To learn more, contact Tania Rorke, Senior Associate Director of Corporate & Donor Engagement.
We would also like to extend a heartfelt thank you to our Corporate Members, who help make our events possible. To see the full list of companies, please visit our Corporate Member page.
The Wharton Undergraduate Sports Business Club (WUSBC) aims to educate students on the world of sports business, build awareness of career & internship opportunities in the industry, and help students to reach those positions. On one of the most competitive campuses in the nation, we strive to be an inclusive and welcoming club, offering a great sense of community.