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Event coverage

SBJ Game Changers 2026

Ten sessions and a photo essay from Sports Business Journal's 14th Game Changers Conference, Oct. 1 in New York, and what they mean for youth sports.

Reported at Sports Business Journal's 2026 Game Changers Conference · Oct. 1, 2026 · New York Marriott Marquis

From left, Heidi Noland, Hillary Mandel, Rachel Epstein, Heidi Browning and moderator Abe Madkour seated on the Game Changers stage
The Top of the Agenda panel, from left: Heidi Noland (UFC), Hillary Mandel (IMG), Rachel Epstein (NWSL), Heidi Browning (NHL) and moderator Abe Madkour (SBJ). Photo: Paul Variano / The Coach's Board

The Sessions

In the order they ran on Oct. 1.

Val Ackerman smiles holding her award on stage as Abe Madkour gestures beside her

8:45 a.m. · The Val Ackerman Legacy of Leadership Award

Val Ackerman's Rules for the Long Game

Val Ackerman · Presented by Abe Madkour (SBJ)

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From left, Heidi Noland, Hillary Mandel, Rachel Epstein, Heidi Browning and moderator Abe Madkour seated on the Game Changers stage

9:10 a.m. · Top of the Agenda

Hockey Romance, Stadium Takeovers and the Squeezed Middle

Heidi Browning (NHL) · Rachel Epstein (NWSL) · Hillary Mandel (IMG) · Heidi Noland (UFC) · Moderator: Abe Madkour (SBJ)

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Three women seated on the Game Changers stage during the Bridging the Gap session

9:50 a.m. · Bridging the Gap

Two Partnerships Built Around What Players Actually Needed

Marina Storti (WTA Ventures) · Heidi Pellerano (Concacaf) · Moderator: Eileen Silvergleid (Leaders Group Sports)

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An easel sign reading SBJ Connect, Select Your Neighborhood, in front of a ballroom full of round tables

10:25 a.m. · SBJ Connect · Photo essay

Pick a Neighborhood, Find a Table: Inside SBJ Connect

Photo essay · Structured networking at 35 tables in four topic neighborhoods

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Rob Johnston speaks while Monica Fee listens on stage

11:20 a.m. · From Activation to Impact

Ford Gave LPGA Rookies Broncos. The Bigger Gift Was Mentors.

Rob Johnston (Ford) · Moderator: Monica Fee (LPGA)

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Kristin Lemkau gestures while answering a question from Abe Madkour

11:40 a.m. · One-on-One with Kristin Lemkau

Kristin Lemkau on Messy Careers, Mediocre Teams and Athletes' Money

Kristin Lemkau (J.P. Morgan Wealth Management) · Moderator: Abe Madkour (SBJ)

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Shelly Cayette-Weston laughs as Bonnie Bernstein smiles and claps

12:10 p.m. · Leading a Modern Sports Franchise

Shelly Cayette-Weston's Hornets Playbook: Fill the Building First

Shelly Cayette-Weston (Charlotte Hornets) · Moderator: Bonnie Bernstein (Walk Swiftly Productions)

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Kim Ng answers a question from Rachel Axon on stage

1:50 p.m. · Leadership Lessons from a Trailblazer

Kim Ng on Getting Rejected in Public, and Saying Yes to Softball

Kim Ng (Athletes Unlimited Softball League) · Moderator: Rachel Axon (SBJ)

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Three panelists seated on stage during the college athletics session

3:00 p.m. · The New Playbook for College Athletics

Vanderbilt's AD: If We're Not Careful, Women's and Olympic Sports Lose

Candice Storey Lee (Vanderbilt) · Kim Damron (Learfield) · Colleen Garrity (Excel Sports Management) · Moderator: Rachel Axon (SBJ)

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Three women seated on stage during the AI panel as the moderator speaks

4:00 p.m. · The Human Edge

The AI Panel's Rule: Start With the Problem, Not the Tool

Julie Souza (formerly AWS) · Samantha Stark (Phyusion) · Moderator: Becki Wronko Civello (Next League)

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Four men seated on stage during the prediction markets panel as the second from left speaks

4:30 p.m. · The New Wager Landscape

Prediction Markets Pitch Engagement. A Banker Warned of a Reckoning.

Adam Barrick (Kalshi) · Keith Wachtel (NHL) · Evan Davis (Royer Cooper Cohen Braunfeld) · Moderator: Joe Lemire (SBJ)

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