Sports Business Journal Introduces Inaugural Class of Impact CEOs
A new honor from Sports Business Journal recognizes CEOs for their leadership, dealmaking, innovative strategy and overall ability to influence the industry during the past year.
Selected by the SBJ editorial team, following extensive industry research, the 50 executives represent segments across sports, including teams, leagues, media, agencies, facilities, events, sports commissions, technology and more.
The Impact CEOs will be featured in the Dec. 21 print issue of SBJ and across our digital and social platforms. Congratulations to the inaugural class:
- Ken Babby, Tampa Bay Rays
- Nic Barlage, Rock Entertainment Group
- JT Batson, U.S. Soccer Federation
- Alex Bazzell, Unrivaled Basketball
- Greg Bibb, Dallas Wings
- Nakisa Bidarian, Most Valuable Promotions
- Jeff Blackburn, Tennis Channel
- Jeremy Bloom, X Games
- Keia Clarke, New York Liberty
- Jesse Cole, Fans First Entertainment (Savannah Bananas)
- Don Cornwell, Dynasty Equity
- Derek Cunz, Mortenson
- Suzy Deering, Publicis Sports
- Bill Foltz, OC Sports & Entertainment
- Brian Fork, Carolina Hurricanes
- Cole Gahagan, Learfield
- Boris Gartner, Relevent
- Sophie Goldschmidt, U.S. Ski and Snowboard
- David Graff, Hudl
- Erik Greupner, San Diego Padres
- Al Guido, San Francisco 49ers; Elevate
- Zaileen Janmohamed, Bay Area Host Committee
- Meg Kane, Philadelphia Soccer 2026
- Pam Kramer, KC2026
- Alex Lasry, FIFA World Cup 26 New York New Jersey
- Aaron Liebert, Rally House
- Mike Mahan, Fanatics Collectibles
- Dan Mannix, Underdog & Co.
- Zach Maurides, Teamworks
- Mike McCarley, TMRW Sports
- Brian Murphy, Athletes First
- Will Pitts, Charlotte Sports Foundation
- Emily Prazer, F1 Las Vegas
- Mel Raines, Pacers Sports & Entertainment
- John Roberson, Advent
- Haley Rosen, Just Women’s Sports
- Brian Ruede, Quint
- Derek Schiller, Atlanta Braves
- Shay Segev, DAZN Group
- Jason Siegel, Greater Orlando Sports Commission
- Craig Sloan, Playfly Sports
- John Slusher, U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Properties
- Stephen Smith, Kitman Labs
- Abhinai Srivastava, Mashgin
- John Stewart, Fastbreak AI
- Kim Stone, Washington Spirit
- Jeb Terry, COSM
- Craig Tiley, United States Tennis Association
- Mike Watts, The Team
