Amid an unprecedented year in collegiate sports – with abandoned seasons, monetary shortfalls, a hazy fall schedule, new NCAA rulings on the use of their image, and upcoming broadcast negotiations – Pac-12 Commissioner Larry Scott sits down for a chat to discuss these recent headlines, break down the impact the pandemic will have on his conference, and how he sees the league coming out of the crisis.

COVID19 has brought unprecedented — and in some cases existential – economic challenges to sports. Thankfully, cloud video technology will help us to fill content, economic and fan engagement gaps. This spotlight features three innovators sharing five, growth-driving use cases that leverage a little-known, but very powerful technology: Cloud Graphics.

Listen in as SeventySix Capital Chad Stender speaks with Basketball Hall of Famer Ralph Sampson on what he’s done during COVID, what an athlete can do to better oneself during these times, his focus on investing in esports and agriculture, the power an athlete can bring to a startup, and much more. 

CEO Cole Gahagan breaks down how the leading media and technology service provider in college athletics is working with its clients on moving forward during this crucial time in university sports, from pivoting as a result of the pandemic to working with brands and schools to take fan passion beyond the boundaries of stadiums and arenas. He’ll also talk about how fan engagement will evolve and what needs to happen in order to create highly compelling content to reach audiences 24/7/365. 

Hear from NBC Sports Executive Producer and President of Production for NBC Sports and NBCSN, Sam Flood, and NBC Sports Host and Reporter Kathryn Tappen in a fireside chat about how NBC Sports created a new live, sports and entertainment-focused programming on NBCSN during the coronavirus pandemic. NBC Sports worked quickly to innovate and create fresh programming, with Lunch Talk Live hosted by Mike Tirico, The Rich Eisen Show, Pro Football Talk, and Football Flex on NBCSN during the daytime block, to focus on the current state of the sports world and the impact of the coronavirus pandemic.

With sports going dark in March, NASCAR emerged as a leader in reinvigorating sports fans, by not only embracing iRacing and introducing its fans to another level of competition, but also in restarting its live races, despite the condensed schedule. NASCAR Chief Innovation Officer Craig Neeb breaks down how the organization was able to expand its brand and deliver new audiences despite the environment, and where NASCAR is heading as fan consumption and technology evolve.

As the business models change for professional leagues, Athletes Unlimited is taking a new approach to competitive play, serving as a network for pro sports leagues. Developed by former NYCFC & Tribeca Film Festival President Jon Patricof and JS Capital Founder Jonathan Soros, the organization takes owners and general managers out of the equation completely. Launching with three women’s pro leagues – softball this year and volleyball in February of 2021, AU’s board is a who’s who of names from the world of sports. Hear from Patricof as well as executive committee members and pro athletes and Olympians Gwen Svekis and Foluke Akinradewo as they prepare to rewrite the rules of the game. 

New Balance Chief Marketing Officer and SVP Merchandising Chris Davis will explain how the global sports brand approached the worldwide Covid pandemic through positive messaging, resulting in economic and social impact. He will also discuss a variety of new manufacturing, business and community initiatives aimed at propelling New Balance forward.

At a time when athletes should have been gearing up for Tokyo’s Summer Games, USOC CEO Sarah Hirshland and USOPC board member and Paralympic medalist Brad Snyder reveal how the shift to 2021 is impacting NGBs, athletes and Team USA partners, as well as their plan beyond Japan and into the future.