From Rob Manfred to Jessica Alba, Boardroom breaks down a few highlights from the elite conversations held at the second annual CNBC x Boardroom Game Plan.
The second annual CNBC x Boardroom Game Plan brought together a star-studded list of panelists and guests, including sports commissioners, Hall of Fame superstar athletes, trailblazing executives, and billionaire CEOs. Here are the highlights and key takeaways from the eight elite conversations conducted Tuesday in Santa Monica.
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MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred Sees Opportunities for Growth in Ongoing RSN Crisis
While previous investments in technology helped MLB be more self-sufficient amid a crisis with American regional sports networks, Commissioner Rob Manfred sees this as an opportunity for growth. “We need a more national strategy,” Manfred said. CC Sabathia, seated next to Albert Pujols, added that a more national strategy is a great way to grow the profiles of small-market stars.
NFL Pleased with Innovations from Live-Streaming Partners YouTube, Peacock
Hans Schroeder, the NFL’s Executive Vice President of Media Distribution, praised live-streaming partners like YouTube and Peacock for innovating and driving the league forward. He called NBC‘s Peacock playoff game in January, spearheaded by NBC Sports President Rick Cordella, a transformational moment for the league, and is happy with the way YouTube is superserving fans in the second year of its NFL Sunday Ticket contract.
Responsible Gaming ‘Non-Negotiable’ to Leading Sports Betting Execs
FanDuel President Christian Genetski, DraftKings Chief Business and Growth Officer Marie Donoghue, Fanatics Betting and Gaming CEO Matt King, and Sportradar Founder and CEO Carsten Koerl all discussed balancing growth with the imperative to ward off regulation when it came to integrity and responsible gaming. Donoghue said DraftKings spends tens of millions of dollars a year on responsible gaming, with proactive algorithms to look for early troublesome indicators in users. Genetski said 1-2% of users will have a compulsive issue, and it’s up to FanDuel to have real-time monitoring to identify those issues, get them off the platform, and provide help to those in need.
Bob Myers Likens Winning a Championship to ‘Climbing Mt. Everest’
Former Golden State Warriors GM Bob Myers showcased his bag of championship rings to the crowd as he recalled the intricate differences between each of them. From the rise of Andre Iguodala as a leader in 2015 to the “cherry on top” that came in 2022, Myers built a dynasty in the Bay. However, he likened the grueling path to a title to “climbing Mt. Everest.” In his new role as an advisor to the Washington Commanders, he told CNBC’s Scott Wapner that he’s got a “new mountain to climb” as he eyes a Super Bowl ring to add to his weighty collection.
Rich Paul Documents the Fundamentals for Success for Klutch Sports Group
In a conversation with Boardroom CEO and Co-Founder Rich Kleiman, Klutch Sports Group Founder and CEO Rich Paul described how he wanted his company to not just be a diverse, “Black-owned, women-led” brand but to provide opportunities to people who have strong character, rather than applicants who only look good on paper. People with strong character are underrated in the agency world and missing in business, Paul continued, and prioritizing seeking those individuals out is one of the many ways Klutch has distinguished itself as a company from its peers.
Sweeping Storytelling Will Unlock the Next Phase of Growth for Women’s Sports
NWSL Commissioner Jessica Berman, WNBA star Cameron Brink, first-team All-American Juju Watkins, and founder of Trailblazing Sports Group Sara Gotfredson broke down the variables they believe to be the most impactful in the meteoric growth of women’s sports. From increased investment and infrastructure to young athletes seizing opportunities to tell their own stories through social media, it’s a truly historic time. However, each panelist was quick to note ongoing areas for opportunities. Gotfredson commented that a huge number of fans are “fluid fans,” who are highly engaged and keen to consume content. “We need the Netflix Quarterback stories for these women,” she said, citing the opportunity for expanded documentary-style storytelling while the other panelists agreed in unison.
LA Mayor Karen Bass Clarifies the Vision for LA28
In a conversation with Los Angeles 2028 Chairman Casey Wasserman, LA28 board member Jessica Alba, and Team USA Men’s Basketball Managing Director Grant Hill, LA Mayor Karen Bass elaborated on her vision to make the Olympics thrive in this uniquely sprawling metropolis. That will include bringing in 3,000 buses so that no cars drive to the sports venues, eliminating street homelessness, and building 18,000 new units of housing. Bass suggested that it would take a “collective effort” on behalf of the city’s residents but expressed her overall optimism and excitement for what was to come.
Snapchat Founder, CEO Evan Spiegel Discusses the Expanded Stadium Experience
In a closing conversation with CNBC Squawk Box co-anchor Andrew Ross Sorkin, Snapchat Founder and CEO Evan Spiegel described a simple yet effective strategy to attract sports fans around the world to his platform. Since a vast majority of fans will rarely, if ever, attend a game, curating and stitching together stories from their own Snapchatters who are live at stadiums and arenas have made its 850 million global users feel closer to the action.
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