SportsBizFest 2026
Where SportsBiz, Culture & Opportunity Collide
April 17, 2026
University of San Francisco
McClaren Conference Center
Hosted by USF Master of Science in Sport Management and Powered by 5th & Lemon
SPONSORED BY:
ABOUT
BRINGING THE BIGGEST BRANDS & BRIGHTEST MINDS TOGETHER
SportsBizFest unites leaders across sports, entertainment, and technology to expand access and career opportunity for the next generation of sports industry professionals.
This is more than a conference – it is a live talent pipeline, connecting students and emerging professionals to real-world-insight, mentorship, and decision –makers shaping the future of sports.
If you believe in talent, equity, and workplace development, this where it begins.
OUR LEGACY
→ FROM 2022
→ IN 2023
→ THE RETURN IN 2026
After two breakout years connecting hundreds of students to today’s industryleaders, SportsBizFest 2026 returns stronger than ever-with an expanded focus on access, workforce readiness, and equity.
Together with the University of San Francisco and the USF Master of Science in Sport Management Program, we’re building a space where ambition meets opportunity-and careers begin.
University of San Francisco
Where Leaders Find Their Voices
WHO WE ARE
5th & Lemon is a purpose-driven organization committed to opening doors through education, exposure, and access.
Partnering with the University of San Francisco and the USF Master of Science in Sport Management Program in Sport Management, we fuse academic excellence with real-world opportunity — ensuring talented students and young professionals aren’t limited by a lack of connections or direction.
“Where Dreams Take Root and Futures are Built.”
AUDIENCE & REACH
What SportsBizFest is for
SportsBizFest brings together students, emerging professionals, and industry leaders from across California and beyond - creating a space curiosity meets opportunities and careers in the business of sports begin to take shape.
200+
students, scholar-athletes, emerging professionals, & industry veterans
15+
colleges, universities, and community colleges represented
10
workshops, panels
& live demonstrations
20+
executives and speakers from leading teams, agencies, and companies
Strong social and media reach across California’s sports, education, and entertainment networks
FEATURED SPEAKERS & PARTNERS
A LEGACY OF INDUSTRY LEADERS
Since its launch, SportsBizFest has featured an extraordinary lineup of executives, agents, and innovators from some of the most powerful organizations in sports, entertainment, and technology
-
AUDRA LOWE
Emmy-Nominated TV Personality & Producer
-
DAMON JONES
Vice-President & Assistant
General Manager, Los Angeles Dodgers -
ROBERT HINDS
Chief Operating Officer,
Team Prime Time -
JOSH BEAUREGARD-BELL
Basketball Agent, Wasserman
-
LONNIE MURRAY
CEO & MLB Certified Player Agent, Sports Management Partners (SMP)
-
EDDIE MAISONET
Sr. Editor, Houston Chronicle
-
KAT CALDERON
Account Executive, LA Clippers
-
BRANDON JAMES
CEO, C2R
Productions -
JAMES LOPEZ
Program Director, Social Impact, Play Equity Fund
-
ARIELLE MOYAL
CEO & Founder, Moyal Enterprises LLC
-
TODD RAMASAR
Founder, President & CEO, Life Sports Agency
-
ALANNA HERNANDEZ
Executive V.P ., Business Affairs and Operations, Team Sports , Wasserman
-
NOEMI SILVA-MORIN
Director of Marketing and Fan Engagement, CSUN Athletic
-
THOMAS WARREN
Senior Podcast Producer, NFL Media
-
TIFFANY EVERETT
Global Social Media Lead, EA Sports
-
DR. ASHLEY SLOPER
Associate Director, University of San Francisco Master of Science Sport Management Program
-
JOSE BONILLA
Sr. Director of International Operations and Baseball Administration, San Francisco Giants
These leaders don’t just speak - they. mentor, connect, and open doors for participants navigating careers in sports.
“In 2026, we’ll build on this legacy — bringing together new voices, fresh insights, and leading brands committed to empowering the next generation of sports professionals.”
CONFIRMED PANELISTS FOR 2026
Edreece Arghandiwal
Co-Founder & Chief Marketing Officer
Oakland Roots
Lisa Fahey
AI Strategy Leader (formerly of FanCompass)
Celeste Gehring
CEO, Vision Building
Sidney G. Griffin, Jr.
Vice President, Marketing & Communications, Eat. Live. Play. Foundation
Bobby Joseph
CEO, Bobby Joseph Designs / Yo, B! Designs
CJ LaBoy
Senior Vice President & NFL Agent, Wasserman
Zade Shakir
Vice President, Deputy General Counsel, Golden State Warriors
Taj Tashombe
CEO, Canyon Oaks and Sphere of Sports; Former VP, Oakland Athletics
Bobby Thompson
Associate Athletic Director, Administration, Culture and Student-Athlete Experience, Loyola Marymount University
Matt Valdez
Vice President & Deputy General Counsel. San Francisco Giants
Tay C. Via
Partner, Coblentz Patch Duffy & Bass LLP
Lindsay Barenz
President, Oakland Roots SC & Oakland Soul SC
Waukeen McCoy
Attorney & Sports Agent, McCoy Law Firm
Justin DiTolla
Associate Athletic Director, NIL, Cal Athletics.
Kate Porter
General Counsel, Bay FC
Dr. Dan Rascher
Economist, Academic Director, USF Master of Science in Sport Management
Rebecca Ensing
Assistant Director of Operations, California Community College Athletic Association (3C2A)
Karen Cerda-Segura
Video Producer, San Francisco Giants
Christopher Westman
Partner, Coblentz Patch Duffy & Bass LLP
And more industry leaders to be announced soon!
Explore the Conversations Shaping the Future of Sports
Industry leaders, creatives, and innovators discuss careers, culture, and opportunity across the sports ecosystem.
Panels & Conversations for SportsBizFest 2026!
9:00 a.m.
Doors Open
9:45 a.m.
Welcome and Opening Remarks
10:00 - 10:45 a.m.
Winning With Purpose: How Sports Organizations Build Teams, Culture & Impa
Moderator: Lisa Fahey, AI Strategy Leader, Sports & Entertainment
Sidney G. Griffin, Vice President, Marketing & Communications, Eat. Learn. Play. Foundation
Lindsay Barenz, President, Oakland Roots & Oakland SoulSports
10:50 - 11:35 a.m.
Behind the Deal: The Real Work of Sports Representation
Moderator:Dr. Ashley Sloper, Associate Director, USF Sport Management Master’s Program
CJ LaBoy, Sr. Vice President & NFL Agent, The Team (formerly Wasserman)
Chris Westman, Partner, Coblentz Patch Duffy & Bass LLP
Waukeen McCoy, Attorney & Sports Agent, McCoy Law Firm
11:40 a.m. - 12:25 p.m.
Brand You: Standing Out in the Sports Industry
Speaker: Celeste Gehring, CEO, Vision Building
Learn how to intentionally build your personal brand, tell your story, and position yourself for opportunity in a competitive sports industry—starting with LinkedIn and beyond.
12:25 - 1:25 p.m.
NETWORKING LUNCH
Sponsored by:
1:25 - 2:10 p.m.
From Contracts to Careers: How Law Shapes the Sports Industry
Moderator: Elgin Lowe, Attorney
Tay C. Via, Partner, Coblentz Patch Duffy & Bass LLP
Zade Shakir, Associate General Counsel, Golden State Warriors
Matt Valdez, Vice President & Deputy General Counsel, San Francisco Giants
Kate Porter, General Counsel, Bay FC
2:15 - 3:00 p.m.
The New Era of College Sports: Leadership, NIL & the Business of College Athletics.
Moderator: Dr. Jeremy Howell, University of San Francisco
Dr. Dan Rascher, Academic Director, USF Master of Science in Sport Management
Bobby Thompson, Associate Athletic Director, Loyola Marymount University
Rebecca Ensing, Director of Events & Operations, California Community College Athletic Association (3C2A)
3:05 - 3:50 p.m.
Creating the Culture: Design, Fashion & Creativity in Sports
Moderator: Brandon James, CEO, C2R Productions
Taj Tashombe, CEO, Canyon Oaks & Sphere of Sports; Former VP, Oakland Athletics
Bobby Joseph, CEO, Bobby Joseph Design; Yo, B! Designs
Edreece Arghandiwal, Co-Founder & Chief Marketing Officer, Oakland Roots
Karen Cerda-Segura, Video Producer, San Francisco Giants
SportsBizFest RAFFLE AND GIVEAWAYS)
(SportsBizFest Swag and Special Giveaways)
4:00 p.m.
THE SOCIAL NETWORKING HOUR AND WINE TASTING
Sponsored by Melanated Wine
(INVITATION ONLY)
Presented by:
THE EXPERIENCE
SportsBizFest 2026 will deliver an immersive learning experience — connecting students and young professionals directly with decision-makers.
Participants gain firsthand insight into how the business of sports truly works – and the skills, mindsets, and pathways needed to navigate a rapidly changing industry.
From athlete representation and media production to analytics, team operations, marketing, and entrepreneurship, participants gain firsthand insight into how the business of sports truly works — and what it
takes to be part of it.
Stay tuned for our schedule line-up coming soon!
Panels · Workshops · Live Demos · Networking · Scholarships
THE IMPACT OF SportsBizFest!
YOUR INVESTMENT. YOUR OPPORTUNITY
“What Walter and 5th & Lemon created is special. It’s rare to find a space where executives and students connect this authentically — it’s the real pipeline the industry needs.”
Damon Jones, L.A. Dodgers
“SportsBizFest changed everything for me. I walked in curious and walked out with clarity, confidence, and real connections. I finally saw myself working in the sports industry.”
SportsBizFest Participant
Scholars & young professionals are sure to gain:
Direct mentorship from industry leaders and decision-makers
Exposure to real career pathways across sports, media, & technology
Practical insight and skills that translate into career clarity and opportunity
