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The Business Behind the NFL Draft
The 2026 NFL Draft starts this Thursday in Pittsburgh. Most people tune in to see who their favorite team picks, but I'd argue that the more compelling story is the business behind it. The draft is expected to attract 500,000–700,000 visitors across three days which could create an economic impact of $125–$200 million for the region. If you zoom out, it’s one of the best case studies in the business of sports. The NFL is building a three-day window where it owns attention, m

Justin Titchenell
6 days ago4 min read


Official Partnership Announcement: JKJ Insurance Joins Sports Business Leaders as Insurance Partner
We're thrilled to announce Johnson Kendall Johnson as annual partners at Sports Business Leaders! Johnson, Kendall and Johnson (JKJ) was founded in 1959 and is headquartered in Newtown, PA. JKJ is a private, independent brokerage licensed in all 50 states. As a Certified Evergreen company, they are employee-owned and built for the long term. Risk managers, general counsel, CFOs, and ownership groups across sports and entertainment trust JKJ to deliver coverage that keeps t

Justin Titchenell
Apr 91 min read


Sports Business Leaders Philadelphia: March 2026 Event
Our lates t Sports Business Leaders event in P hilly featured 14-year MLB pitcher turned venture investor, Jesse Biddle of October Ventures . A 2021 World Series Champion and Philadelphia Phillies 2010 first-round pick, Jesse offered a unique perspective that only someone who's competed at the highest level and now invests in the future of sports business can offer. We captured the entire conversation for the SBL podcast, give it a listen! It's exciting to see how thes

Justin Titchenell
Mar 312 min read


Philadelphia's $1B+ sports-fueled economic boom
Philadelphia is gearing up for a $1B+ sports-fueled economic boom in 2026. The city is set to host a lineup of major events that will drive tourism, create jobs, and generate massive local spending. It’s shaping up to be one of the most impactful years in Philly’s history for both sports and business. FIFA World Cup 26 Philadelphia™ ▪️ $770M projected economic impact ▪️ 500,000+ visitors ▪️ 8 matches at Lincoln Financial Field, including a July 4 quarterfinal Major League Bas

Justin Titchenell
Mar 131 min read


Official Partnership Announcement: Park Avenue Worldwide Joins Sports Business Leaders as Ground Transportation Partner
We're thrilled to announce Park Avenue Worldwide as the official ground transportation partner of Sports Business Leaders for 2026! Park Avenue Worldwide is the gold standard in luxury chauffeured transportation. Founded in 1987 and now part of the Leros Transportation Group , they bring nearly four decades of experience and a 400-vehicle fleet to every engagement. From luxury sedans and SUVs to sprinters, mini buses, and motorcoaches, Park Ave operates with one standard:

Justin Titchenell
Mar 32 min read


What KKR’s Arctos Acquisition Means for Sports Business
Global investment firm, KKR , recently acquired Arctos in a $1.4B transaction, with earn outs that could push it close to $2B. This deal significantly changes how sports business will operate in the years ahead. This is a signal that sports is increasingly moving from relationship driven to institutional scale capital. That shift impacts everyone in our SBL community, from pro teams to founders, sponsors, and investors. The below article outlines the implications for the

Justin Titchenell
Feb 125 min read


South Florida Is Emerging as a Global Sports Business Hub — and SBL Is Joining the Momentum
South Florida is home to one of the most dynamic sports business markets in the world. From global events to homegrown champions, the Greater Miami area is buzzing with energy, capital, talent, and opportunity.

Justin Titchenell
May 2, 20253 min read


How the NFL Draft Drives Media Frenzy and Citywide Revenue
The NFL Draft is no longer just about who gets picked. It’s about who shows up, who tunes in, and who profits.

Justin Titchenell
Apr 19, 20253 min read


SBL Community Business of The Week: TDAY Sports
TDAY Sports produces innovative sports content for your company that sets the standard for Gen-Z media.

Justin Leusner
Apr 9, 20252 min read


SBL March Recap: A Night to Remember with 200+ Sports Business Leaders in Philly
Our March event brought together over 200 professionals from across the sports industry — founders, creatives, executives, and innovators.

Justin Titchenell
Apr 4, 20252 min read


State College: A Hub for Sports Business Growth
Recently, I joined the Sports Business Leaders (SBL) team, and I could not be more excited to integrate the amazing network of sports...

Josiah Seetoo
Mar 25, 20253 min read


Building in Early-Stage Sports Tech
Building a sports tech MVP that attracts early-stage investment requires strategic focus, rapid iteration, and early traction.

Dave Lewanda
Mar 18, 20255 min read


Sports Business Leaders New York City
Our first Sports Business Leaders (SBL) event in New York City was nothing short of incredible! With over 125 attendees, the night was...

Justin Titchenell
Mar 8, 20252 min read


SBL Philly February Recap: A Game-Changing Night for Sports Business
The Sports Business Leaders (SBL) community recently gathered for an unforgettable night at Yards Brewing in Philadelphia, setting the...

Justin Titchenell
Feb 23, 20253 min read


Amaya Howard on Empowering Women in Sports with Sports Shawties
In Episode 008 of the Sports Business Leaders Podcast , we sit down with Amaya Howard, MPA , founder of Sports Shawties —a thriving...

Justin Titchenell
Feb 17, 20251 min read


Sports Business Leaders Philly January Event
Sports Business Leaders: Kicking Off 2025 with Innovation & Community On January 8th, Jake Voorhees and Justin Titchenell hosted the...

Justin Titchenell
Feb 9, 20253 min read
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