JohnWallStreet’s Sports & Media Huddle is a bi-annual event designed to stimulate thought-provoking conversation and high-level networking among 100 of the most influential executives across sports, media, and finance. It has become a must-attend gathering for innovative senior leaders looking to exchange ideas and stay ahead in the rapidly changing industry.

As always, we will address timely developments and future state challenges facing rights owners, holders, and investors in a closed-door, off-record setting.

Date: Wednesday, April 22
Time: 8:00am-1:00pm
Location: Private

We have three featured speakers lined up for the Spring ’26 Huddle. 

Each will participate in a deep-dive fireside conversation before we open the floor to the audience for discussion.

Below is an overview of the agenda. 

YouTube and the Creator Economy

Dude Perfect has spent nearly two decades building one of the largest youth sports audiences anywhere. In many ways, the company now operates like a next-gen sports franchise—selling sponsorships, drawing fans to ticketed events at scale, and producing premium sports entertainment content that reaches tens of millions of viewers. Andrew Yaffe will explain what traditional sports organizations fail to understand about YouTube and how they can more effectively reach Gen Z and Gen Alpha sports fans, monetize digital and social content, and leverage creator relationships in what should be a compelling discussion.

ESPN and the Future of Sports Media

Over the last 12 months, ESPN launched a direct to consumer service that gives fans access to its full suite of network offerings for the first time without a cable subscription; struck a landmark deal with the NFL that includes acquiring NFL Network and RedZone; partnered with WWE to bring premium live events, like WrestleMania, to its DTC platform; and licensed popular programs Inside the NBA and the Rich Eisen Show with the goal of reaching younger audiences and creating new viewing experiences. At the same time, the company is navigating cord-cutting, the emergence of streaming bundles, and a landscape where fan viewing habits continue to evolve. Burke Magnus will join us for an extended discussion on the changing dynamics of sports media, distribution, and streaming, and how ESPN is thinking about the future of its content portfolio.

Media Consolidation and the Next Wave of Sports Investment

Alex Michael will sit down for a discussion on the broader implications of media consolidation, including pricing power and stickiness, the growing value of proprietary data, premium live event inventory, and IP, and what some recent team sales transactions reveal about where big four valuations are headed. In that context, Paramount’s acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery, which will bring together some of the most valuable sports and entertainment assets under one roof, is the latest signal that scale through consolidation is becoming a defining advantage in the current media landscape.

This is an invite-only event exclusively for JohnWallStreet IQ members and select guests. If you would like to attend, please express interest here. Seating availability is limited.

If you would like to partner with us on this unique event, reach out to Jacie Brandes at [email protected].

We look forward to our 6th Huddle!