SSAC

SSAC

By MIT Sloan Sports Analytics ConferenceSports
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SSAC episodes

  • The Numbers Game: Football Analytics from Combines to Championships

    Moderator: Ted Knutson

    Panelists: Steve Palazzolo, Eugene Shen, Sean Clement, Heather Maclean


    This panel will deep dive into the multi-faceted world of football analytics with seasoned industry experts from the Washington Commanders, Pro Football Focus, SumerSports, and StatsBomb. The panelists will discuss the current breadth of analytics use cases in football, ranging from the crucial role data plays in player evaluation and roster construction to the rapidly increasing utilization of data to inform game strategy and decision-making. The panelists will highlight the tangible impacts of data-driven methodologies in shaping the modern football landscape and explore potential analytics advancements that can further enhance the influence of data on success in the NFL. #TheNumbersGame

    55 min
  • Partnerships: Activating Value

    Moderator: Liz Moulton

    Panelists: Kirsten Corio, Julie Haddon, Dave Alpern

    In an era where sports sponsorships offer an abundance of assets, from jersey patches to on-court branding, the challenge lies in ensuring that partners receive optimal value while maintaining fan engagement and data privacy. This panel, featuring perspectives from leaders across various industries and roles, including the USTA, NWSL, Los Angeles Rams, and Joe Gibbs Racing, delves into the dynamics of sponsor-brand-fan relationships. This panel will explore evolving fan expectations, successful activations, and the impact of shifting data landscapes on sponsorship strategies. While traditional marketing remains a cornerstone of sponsorships, the panel will discuss how it's transitioning to become more digital, emphasizing the fusion of traditional and digital marketing in today's sports sponsorship ecosystem. The panel offers insights into how sponsors are adapting their approaches to first-party data access, emphasizing the importance of staying connected to fans in innovative ways. #ActivatingValue

    57 min
  • Leveraging Sports Betting to Enhance the Fan Experience

    Moderator: Jacob Feldman

    Panelists: Brian Josephs, Keith Goldner, Eric Rimsky

    As the U.S. sports betting market continues to mature, hear how key stakeholders within the ecosystem are collaborating to maximize fan engagement opportunities today and in the future. This panel will feature a deep dive into the deeper event data, including the growing focus on the athlete narrative as well as the usage of emerging technologies and advanced analytics. The panelists will discuss how these tools are being leveraged to fuel in-play betting, increase betting offers, and create personalized experiences that bring fans closer to the sports they love. #SportsBetting

    46 min
  • The New Playbook: Revolutionizing Sports Gaming with Data and Technology

    Moderator: Jeff Ma

    Panelists: Grant Cloud, Madeleine Want, Brett Abarbanel


    In the rapidly evolving landscape of sports gaming, the intersection of data analytics and technological innovation is creating unprecedented opportunities for growth and engagement. This panel will explore the forefront of innovation in sports gaming, highlighting how data is driving the development of new products and enhancing the sports viewing experience. Key topics will include new DFS game formats, responsible gaming initiatives, the integration of Esports into traditional sports gaming platforms, and the growth of digital communities that connect sports enthusiasts and enable them to form deeper connections to the games they love. Experts from leading gaming companies, including PrizePicks and Fanatics, will offer a deep dive into the intricate behind-the-scenes efforts that fuel these cutting-edge advancements in sports gaming. They will provide a rare glimpse into the complex interplay of data analytics, technology, and creative vision that underpins the development of new gaming formats and enhancements to the sports viewing experience. Through this discussion, the panelists will uncover how data and technology are not just changing the way games are played, but also how they are watched and experienced, paving the way for a more immersive and engaging sports gaming future. #TheNewPlaybook

    58 min
  • The Digital Gambit: Creating Compelling Chess Content for New Audiences

    Moderator: Danny Rensch

    Panelists: Daryl Morey, Levy Rozman, Robert Hess

    "The Digital Gambit" brings together chess legends Danny Rensch, Levy Rozman, Robert Hess, James Canty, and Daryl Morey to explore the evolution of chess in the digital era. This panel will delve into the transformation of chess content, fueled by mainstream media and online streaming, and its burgeoning appeal to a younger, tech-savvy audience. Discussions will focus on innovative formats like Chess960, the role of Twitch streamers in popularizing chess, and blending chess with other disciplines for unique content creation. The panel will also tackle the challenges of online cheating, the use of AI to enhance the chess experience, and strategies to monetize content while preserving the game’s integrity. Join us for an insightful exploration into how chess is being reimagined for a new generation, maintaining its rich heritage while embracing technological advancements. The event will also feature live demonstrations with our grandmasters interacting with the audience! #DigitalGambit

    1 hr 2 min
  • From Probability to Profit: The Evolution of Poker Strategy

    Moderator: Jeff Ma 

    Panelists: Nate Silver, Xuan Liu, Jennifer Shahade

    With the proliferation of analytics in sports and the increasing accessibility of machine learning, defining the next optimal next move is becoming increasingly challenging. Join us for an insightful poker panel as we explore the evolution of strategy in the game, driven by probability, game theory, and statistical analysis. Delving into how these analytical tools have revolutionized poker gameplay, our esteemed panelists will discuss the ways in which traditional strategies have been redefined and the game itself transformed. Beyond the poker table, we'll examine how these strategic principles are crossing into other domains, from sports to business, reshaping decision-making paradigms across industries. Don't miss this thought-provoking discussion on the intersection of analytics, strategy, and the future of poker. #ProbabilityToProfit

    56 min
  • The Data Revolution: Innovations in Data & Analytics Tools

    Moderator: Erin Kelly

    Panelists: Michelene Rabbitt, Dejan Mitkovski, Karlis Kezbers, Daryl Morey


    After years of progress, the sports industry has increasingly embraced the usage of data & analytics to optimize and enhance business performance. But in a world where data-driven decision making is now part of the status quo, what is the next frontier for data & analytics in sports business? This panel will bring together executives from Snowflake, Ticketmaster, FanDuel, and NASCAR to delve into the innovative ways in which they deploy data & analytics tools. The panelists will discuss recent developments in data & analytics technologies, the impact of these technological advancements on current operations, and the future of data & analytics utilization in sports business as technological innovation accelerates. #DataRevolution

    56 min
  • Impacting the Game: The Advancement of Sports Analytics with Industry Pioneers

    Moderator: Allison Loucks 

    Panelists:  Brian Burke, Dean Oliver


    ESPN Analytics will host a conversation with two leaders in the advanced metrics space, hitting on the prominence of analytics in the recently completed NFL playoffs, the impact on football and basketball in-game decision making, the media’s role in presenting analytics, and much more. #ImpactingTheGame

    1 hr 3 min
  • Power of Data: Using Data For Good Across Industries

    Moderator: Corbin Petro

    Panelists: Will Blodgett, Seth Moulton, Alex Drane, Valerie Camillo


    Data is used universally across public and private sectors in powerful ways. This panel brings together a variety of industry experts focused on using data for the greater good, with lessons for the sports industry. Join us as we look to the expertise of panelists across real estate, healthcare, and the public sector to better understand how data is being used to power positive outcomes and how these learnings can inform the sports industry. The collaborative insights shared by these professionals will delve into innovative approaches, ethical considerations, and emerging trends, providing a comprehensive view of the dynamic landscape where data-driven strategies intersect with social and economic progress. #PowerOfData

    58 min
  • Beyond the Box Office: The Evolution of Ticketing

    Moderator: Katie Hodel

    Panelists: Kate Howard, Jake Burns, Jason Green

    This panel will explore the “Evolution of Ticketing” and provide a comprehensive discussion of the current trends, challenges, and opportunities in the ticketing industry. Hear from ticketing vendors and team/venue executives as they dive into technological advancements, changing fan consumption patterns, and other key drivers that are changing the ticketing landscape, including the balance between premium experiences and accessibility for the average fan.

    56 min

About SSAC

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The official podcast channel of the MIT Sloan Sports Analytics Conference