2025 Speakers

Janelle PRIETO

Chief Marketing & Community Officer

Janelle Prieto is a seasoned branding and communications professional with 16+ years of experience across the U.S., Latin America, and Europe in non-profits, sports, and corporate sectors. As Chief Marketing & Community Officer for the FIFA World Cup 26 Miami Host Committee, she leads strategic marketing and community engagement. Previously, she directed communications and social responsibility at Concacaf and played a key role in the Miami Super Bowl Host Committee' s marketing efforts. She also led Diageo' s global Learning for Life program and held leadership roles at Jackson Memorial Hospital Foundation. A proud daughter of Cuban immigrants, Janelle resides in Miami, FL.

Nicolas GARCIA HEMME

VP Strategy & Business Development

Nicolás is a sports and media executive currently serving as VP of Strategy and Business Development of LaLiga North America, a joint venture between Relevent Sports Group, a multinational media, sports and entertainment group, and LaLiga, Spain’s top-flight soccer competition and professional association. LaLiga North America was founded in 2018 as a first-of-a-kind partnership featuring the world’s best soccer league with internationally recognized clubs and players that aims to cultivate soccer culture in the U.S. and drive the league’s growth in the region.

Previously, Nicolás served as the Head of LaLiga Global Network - a multicultural international project composed of 50 people spread across 44 countries, the first endeavor of its kind at this scale in the sports industry. In this position, he was responsible for launching the project and selecting and developing all talent. Once established, he managed the team and its budget in order to develop opportunities and projects as well as spearhead actions to promote LaLiga abroad. Since its inception, the Global Network has improved LaLiga’s international brand value and created commercial opportunities to increase media rights globally.

Lou GARATE

SVP, Properties & Sponsorships

Luis (Lou) Garate is SVP, Properties & Sponsorships at DAZN. Since joining in 2024, Garate has overseen the build and implementation of the DAZN Properties business. This includes creating a new sponsorship-led strategy that leverages intellectual property, promotional and partnership rights, events, hospitality and more across DAZN’s premium content verticals inclusive of boxing, women’s sports, and platform-wide partnerships. The goal is to enhance the brand and fan engagement experience. Prior to DAZN, he was Head of Global Sponsorships at Twitch/Amazon. There, his team successfully secured partnerships with leading brands such as - Ally Bank, Dunkin, Pizza Hut, State Farm and Verizon. Additionally, he has served in various sales and marketing roles at NASCAR, Ryan Partnership, Loews Cineplex, Millsport, National Football League and Sports & Co. Lou Garate is a University of Connecticut graduate and resides in the state with his wife and two daughters.

Shawne MERRIMAN

CEO

Shawne "Lights Out" Merriman is a former NFL linebacker celebrated for his explosive performances with the San Diego Chargers and Buffalo Bills. Merriman secured NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year honors (2005), three Pro Bowl selections, and two All-Pro titles throughout his illustrious football career. Post-retirement, Merriman immersed himself in Mixed Martial Arts, launching the Lights Out Xtreme Fighting MMA promotion. Leveraging his expertise and entrepreneurial spirit, Shawne later developed Lights Out Sports TV, a revolutionary streaming service offering diverse original content, sports movies, and live sports channels, including fishing, rugby, motocross, and the most exciting chess you’ve ever seen! Merriman’s journey from NFL stardom to media innovation exemplifies his dedication, resilience, and visionary approach to redefining how fans engage with their favorite sports.

Angelina LOSADA

Vice President

Losada serves as Vice President of Business Development and Growth Initiatives at FOX Deportes, the first and longest-lasting Spanish-language sports network in the United States. An executive with over two decades of experience in Hispanic Media, Losada focuses on strategic partnerships and revenue-generating opportunities at the network. She focuses on a variety of potential revenue streams such as sublicensing, digital and linear content creation and sponsorships. She recently led the acquisition of broadcast rights for Liga MX Femenil. the Mexican women’s first division soccer league. Losada also spearheads FOX Deportes Studios, a division of FOX Deportes, focused on the creation of high-quality sports content for distribution in the United States and Latin America. She has also worked at Univision, Telemundo and Azteca America.
A native of Fresno, California, Losada lives with her husband and two teenage boys. She enjoys spending time with family, watching sports, reading and traveling.

Julie YAMAMOTO

Senior Director

Julie Yamamoto is senior director of marketing at Qualcomm Technologies, Inc., leading the integrated campaign and brand partnerships practice. The brand partnerships portfolio includes Manchester United, Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One Team, Mercedes F1 Academy, Snapdragon Stadium, and San Diego Padres.

Giovanni AQUILANTI

Sales and Sponsorship Agent

With more than 15 years of international experience in Marketing, Sales and Procurement at Procter & Gamble and Philip Morris International, across Consumer Goods, Sports and Technology, Giovanni Aquilanti is now fully dedicated to the sports industry, with multiple engagements which started in Motorsport and brought him to SPORTEL Sales and Business Development. A fast learner, Giovanni is eager to engage in innovative action plans as well as connecting people and organisations with a view to promoting meaningful and high value added commercial interactions.

Eduardo ARIAS

VP International Content Partnerships

Eddy Arias is leading the Pluto TV international content partnerships team having launched 1,400+ channels with 300,000+ hours from 450+ content partners in 30+ markets. Eddy is a lawyer with a Masters of Laws from New York University with further studies in Negotiation from MIT Sloan School of Management. Eddy is an adjunct professor at the University of Miami teaching Media Negotiation.

Robin AUSTERMANN

Head of Europe & LATAM / Legal & Business Affairs

Robin Austermann is Bundesliga International’s Head of Audio-Visual Rights for the Americas, leading the marketing and sales of broadcast rights across the region. Alongside the Bundesliga International’s dedicated America’s office, Robin is responsible for defining and integrating the Bundesliga’s commercial strategy, curating the league’s offering to suit each respective market. In order to maximise this approach, Robin also works hand-in-hand with rights holders to ensure the best possible broadcast experience for fans, including the implementation of the Bundesliga’s latest technological and broadcast offerings.

Robin has more than 10 years of experience in the sports media business, having held various positions within the DFL Group, winter sports and German media. He is trained in Sports Management and Communication, including a master's degree at the German Sport University Cologne and the WHU General Management Program.

Farren BENJAMIN

Head of Sports Partnerships

Farren Benjamin leads the Sports Partnerships division at Tagboard, bringing over nine years of experience in B2B sales and business development. She specializes in developing technical solutions for some of the world's most prominent sports teams, leagues, and broadcast partners working with over 300 sports partners globally. Passionate about innovation and streamlining workflows, Farren is committed to elevating the sports industry through cutting-edge solutions and transformative opportunities.

Craig CARUSO

VP Business Development & Partnerships

Craig has managed Veritone’s expansive advertising portfolio in monetizing core media assets for tier one global sports properties. He’s collaborated on countless high profile commercial campaigns from the largest brands and advertising agencies in the industry from Nike, W+K, BBDO, AT&T, ESPN, Rolex, State Farm and more. Craig also partners closely with the NCAA, Big Ten, Pac-12, US Soccer, US, French and Australian Opens on growing archival media rights and business innovations. He also is at the forefront of net-new sports partnerships and data, with Veritone poised for aggressive growth in 2025 and beyond.

Lowell CONN

President

President & Co-founder of PROTOCOL SPORTS MARKETING and President of satellite/internet transmission provider TV2GO INTERNATIONAL - Lowell Conn is an expert in media rights distribution, content delivery and live sports production. Over the past decade, Protocol has licensed tens of thousands of hours of sports programming to broadcasters around the world. As traditional broadcast is being gradually displaced by digital and streaming, Conn and his team have pioneered creative approaches to leverage new platforms to enhance revenue for traditional sports properties, and to launch/monetize emerging sports.

Sean CROSS

President of iR Entertainment

Sean Cross is the President of iR Entertainment at Infinite Reality. He is a proven business and technology strategist, marketer, and dynamic C-level executive with 25 years of consistent leadership for Fortune 500 companies.

Sean has partnered with elite companies such as Google, News Corp, Samsung, YouTube, and Bank of America to assist in capital raising, mergers and acquisitions, sales, branding, advertising, product development, and business partnership development. With an aptitude for driving top-line sales, cutting costs, and streamlining operations, Sean’s strong track record of driving growth and profitability in corporate and entrepreneurial environments is apparent throughout his career.

Mikel DARRIGUES

Sr. Director, BDM, LATAM

Mikel Darrigues is SaaS Business Development Director at Harmonic specializing in the LATAM region. A seasoned executive with extensive experience in cloud-based video solutions, Mikel helps broadcasters, operators, and media companies optimize their streaming and monetization strategies. Passionate about sports, he can often be found near a pickleball court.

Iris DIAZ

Director Marketing and Brand

Iris Diaz, is an award-winning marketing and creative visionary, currently directing and leading all the Marketing and Brand efforts for the biggest sports tournament on earth, the FIFA World Cup 2026 for North America. She was previously the Chief Marketing Officer for the Dallas Mavericks for 6 seasons, making her the first Latina CMO for an NBA team, prior to, a Brand Director at The Richards Group leading all National TV campaigns for the largest Prepaid Telecommunications company in the U.S. Metro PCS, Marketing and Creative Director for Clear Channel Outdoor, and Marketing Director for Al Día Spanish Newspaper published by The Dallas Morning News.
Her parents are from San Luis Potosi, Mexico born and raised first generation Mexican American in Dallas, Texas, where she attended the University of North Texas and then graduating from Southern Methodist University. With many marketing awards under her belt, she recently received the highest prestigious OHTLI award from the Mexican Government for her contributions to opening paths for others in the United States.
Iris continues to break barriers in the sports industry making sure the door is open for more women of color, not only to have opportunities to sit at the table, but to show the world what Latinos can do!

Shifa GARG

Chief Business Officer

Shifa is a founding member of Spectatr.ai, a pioneering platform that's revolutionizing sports content creation through AI-powered highlight generation and intelligent metadata tagging. Drawing from her Goldman Sachs background, she helps sports organizations unlock the full potential of their content archives and streamline production workflows. At Spectatr.ai, she's spearheading the development of an AI agent ecosystem that builds upon their core automation technology, enabling sports brands to create, manage, and distribute compelling content at scale.

Donald HATELEY

Chairman & CEO

Donald P. Hateley, Esq., CPA is the Chairman & CEO of Combat Sports
Entertainment, Inc., a company at the forefront of reinventing live sports through
immersive fan experiences, cutting-edge streaming innovation, and bold brand
development. With over 30 years of experience in law, corporate finance, and
capital markets, Mr. Hateley has led numerous high-level transactions in corporate
strategy and M&A across both U.S. and international markets.
Now, he’s channeling that expertise into launching high-adrenaline sports
properties—including SoCA Fights, Major Fight League, and Extreme Roller
Derby—designed to electrify audiences and unlock powerful new revenue streams.

Ken KERSCHBAUMER

Editorial Director

Ken Kerschbaumer is co-executive director of editorial services for the Sports Video Group and SVG Europe. He has been writing about how sports networks and leagues use video and audio technology to deliver a quality TV experience since 1991. In 2000, he joined Broadcasting & Cable magazine as senior editor of technology where he covered technology for the broadcast industry. He helped launch SVG and SVG Europe in 2006 and today the company holds events for sports production professionals around the world.

Johnny KUTNOWSKI

Chief Product Officer

Johnny Kutnowski is the Chief Product Officer at Blinkfire Analytics, where he's worked since its beginnings—for more than 10 years. With a background in coding and product design, Johnny leads the Product and Design teams where they seek innovation and optimization of the challenges of rights holders, agencies, and brands alike.

Over the years, Blinkfire has maintained its position as a tech leader and the leading platform for social, digital, sponsorship, broadcast analysis within the sports and entertainment industries.

David LABRUNE

International Media Rights Director

As LFP Media International Media Rights Director, David Labrune oversees the international development and media rights sales for French Ligue 1, Ligue 2 and Trophée des Champions. Since joining LFP Media, he has driven a fourfold increase in international revenues, a 35% rise in audience, and has fueled Ligue 1’s expansion on social media, reaching the milestone of 50 million fans, 85% of whom are based abroad. In 2024, he led the launch of an international OTT platform, the Ligue 1 Pass, in key international markets.

With past experiences at CANAL+, Roland-Garros and Lagardère Sports, he has over 15 years of expertise in media rights, growth strategies, brand expansion and audience development across TV and digital platforms.

Miguel LORENZO

VP, Sports Content

Miguel Lorenzo is the Vice President of Sports Content at NBCUniversal Telemundo Enterprises where he leads Telemundo Deportes’ linear and digital production of live events, shows and specials. Lorenzo drives Telemundo Deportes’ FAST channel strategy and execution in addition to managing the Digital Editorial, Social and Video teams. He reports directly to Joaquin Duro, Executive Vice President of Sports for NBCUniversal Telemundo Enterprises.
With nearly two decades of experience in broadcast and digital media, Lorenzo is responsible for the planning and execution of projects for Telemundo Deportes’ streaming platforms and digital distribution channels for major sporting events. Recently, he directed the digital strategy for the 2024 Paris Summer Olympics, achieving the most viewed Spanish-language Olympics coverage in U.S. history. Lorenzo also led the digital coverage of the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup, as well as the historic success of the 2018 and 2022 FIFA World Cups, setting records for Spanish-language FIFA coverage in each tournament.

Victor MACHADO

Head of Sports Partnerships

17 years experience in the intersection of Sports, Media and Tech in Latin America.
Specialist in content creation, distribution and monetization, is currently leading sports partnerships at YouTube Brazil since 2019.
In this period, YouTube has transformed the live sports landscape in the country, hosting events such as Brasileirão Serie A, FIFA World Cup 2022, Summer Olympic Games 2024, NBA, NFL in partnership with sports leagues, media companies and creators.

William MAO

SVP Media Rights

William Mao is Senior Vice President of Octagon’s Global Media Rights Consulting division. Leveraging IPG and Octagon proprietary data, research, and technology, he advises rightsholders, distribution platforms, technology companies, and the investment community within the sports broadcast space. With more than a decade of Media Rights and Strategy Consulting experience, Mao has a proven track record of helping organizations achieve business goals in highly competitive markets.

Prior to joining Octagon, Mao served as Vice President of Digital at MP & Silva, where he brokered foundational non-linear media distribution deals for global sports properties, and advised on new commercial opportunities for the agency and its clients.

Prior to MP & Silva, Mao was Head of College Sports for YouTube, where he established first-of-its-kind digital video partnerships with the NCAA and the Pac-12 Conference. While at YouTube, Mao also managed content partnerships with the NFL, NBA, MLB, and Turner Sports (now Warner Brothers Discovery).

A recognized expert on the intersection of sports and media, Mao was named a ’30 Under 30’ in Sports by Forbes Magazine in 2015, and is a recipient of the Cynopsis Media Rising Star award.

Greg MARATEA

Director, Global Client Solutions

Gregory Maratea joined Iron Mountain Media and Archive Services in 2015, bringing expertise from post-production in DI/Finishing, film remastering, and digital restoration. He leads the team in creating innovative solutions for migrating end-of-life media assets, integrating cloud technologies, and advancing system virtualization to meet evolving client needs.

Tom MCELWEE

RGM North America

Tom McElwee is the RGM of North America at Fever, leading the company's expansion since April 2024. Previously, he spent over six years at Spotify, where he served as Head of Partnerships & Business Development, LatAm and Strategy & Operations Lead, driving growth across the region. He holds an MBA/MA from The Wharton School and The Lauder Institute, specializing in international business and Spanish studies. With deep expertise in digital media, strategic partnerships, and business development, McElwee plays a key role in Fever’s North American market strategy and overall business growth.

Antonio PAZ

Director of Business Development

Mr. World Cup, Antonio Paz, has attended 10 consecutive Finals, from Maradona in 1986 to Messi in Qatar 2022. Founder of SoccerTravel, the "Official Travel Partner" for US Soccer (1998-2006), Antonio has extensive experience, including directing Group Tickets at the 1996 Olympics and creating Coca-Cola’s Euro 2000 promotions. As Business Development lead at ABSOLUT Sport, his goal is to open new doors, demonstrating that logistics and travel can be affordable and seamless by trusting ABSOLUT Sport.

Jefferson PICHINTE

Sr. Channel Sales Manager|Americas

Jefferson Pichinte is the Broadcast News and Sports Sales Manager at Teradek — specializing in IP and RF video workflows, media transport, video contribution, SaaS, and hardware codecs. He has over a decade of experience helping sports teams, news stations, and live production companies optimize workflows and streamline operations. Jefferson provides tailored solutions to meet the evolving demands of the industry, ensuring seamless, high-quality video delivery for broadcasters and sports teams across North and South America.

Ethan PODELL

Head of Sales, North America

Ethan is Head of Sales, North America at Greenfly. He is the senior sales and partnerships lead in region, and also manages Greenfly's global sales operation across its three major verticals: Sports, Entertainment & Brands. Prior to Greenfly, Ethan was in the talent representation space at both United Talent Agency (UTA) and Fullscreen where he managed the digital business of top influencers, creators and traditional celebrities.

Yannick RAMCKE

General Manager OTT

Yannick Manuel Ramcke is General Manager OTT at OneFootball (joined in 2019), a leading digital football platform including 200M+ monthly users around the world. He oversees the company’s direct-to-consumer streaming business, reimagining the distribution/monetization of video content to the ultimate benefit of the football ecosystem. Yannick also shares his thoughts on OFFTHEFIELDBUSINESS.de covering digital business models and trends at the intersection of sports, media, technology, and empowered end consumers. Previous work experience includes roles in investment banking (Commerzbank), private equity (Deutsche Private Equity), as well as sports media and entertainment (ProSiebenSat.1).

Mathew RATNER

Director, Sports & Entertainment

Mathew Ratner serves as the Director of Sports and Entertainment Tourism at the Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau (GMCVB). With over a decade of experience at the GMCVB, and over 20 years in the sports industry, he has been instrumental in securing major events for Greater Miami and Miami Beach, including the FIFA World Cup, the World Baseball Classic, and the College Football Playoff National Championship. In his role, Ratner focuses on attracting, promoting, and retaining major sporting events, conferences, conventions, and film and television productions, contributing to Miami-Dade County’s economic development by increasing visitor stays and enhancing the region’s global reputation.

A proud resident of Miami, Ratner holds a master’s degree in recreation and sport management from Florida International University and a bachelor’s degree in communication and leadership studies from the University of South Florida. He is passionate about showcasing Greater Miami and Miami Beach as premier destinations for world-class events while fostering growth and positive impact for the local community.

Jonathan REST

Global News Reporter

Jon Rest is the Global News Reporter at SportBusiness, the world’s most trusted source of global sports media rights intelligence. For the past 15 years he has been on top of the biggest deals, developments and trends shaping the industry around the world.

Jack ROBERTSON

Enterprise Account Executive

Jack Robertson is a personable, knowledgeable, and enthusiastic Enterprise Account Executive at Artlist, the world’s leading creative tech platform. With a background in marketing and experiential events and as a creative himself, he truly understands the value of quality and scalable efficiency in the creative process.

Mike SALVARIS

Co-Founder

Mike Salvaris is the Co-Founder and Pro League Network. Pro League Network owns, operates and/or distributes a portfolio of niche and emerging sports that are optimized for wagering.

Mike has spent 20 years at the intersection of sports and wagering, including the development of the Colonial Downs gaming and racing facility in Virginia, operating Luckii.com - a US-licensed digital gaming platform - and advising leagues and teams as a member of the sports practice at McKinsey & Company.

Mike began his career as a commercial litigator. A native of Australia, Mike holds a bachelor's degree in law and economics from Monash University (Australia) and an MBA from London Business School.

Vikash SAMOTA

CEO

Mr. Vikash Samota is the founder and CEO of MultiTV Tech Solutions Pvt. Ltd., a leading Video SaaS company transforming online video streaming. With a career rooted in technology and entrepreneurship, he worked at Aricent in the US before launching his first successful software solutions venture in 2012. He founded MultiTV in 2014, growing it into a global leader with 100+ engineers and Fortune 500 clients. Under his leadership, MultiTV delivers cutting-edge solutions in live streaming, virtual events, and OTT platforms, serving top brands like Sony Liv, Fancode, and Times. Known for his strategic vision and team-focused approach, Mr. Samota continues to drive innovation in the video tech industry.

Richa SINGH

Co-Founder

Richa, Co-Founder of Spectatr.ai, is a proven tech entrepreneur who recently secured Series B funding from Sequoia (Now Peak XV), InfoEdge and Alpha Wave. Her previous venture, BigStylist, demonstrated her ability to build and scale tech platforms. With deep expertise spanning sportstech, esports, Richa brings a unique perspective on how AI is transforming fan engagement. Her experience leading 200+ member teams and managing complex operations informs Spectatr.ai's strategic approach to solving content challenges for major sports organizations.

Raphael SOBRAL

Sports Partnerships Director, LATAM

Raphael Sobral is a highly accomplished professional in the sports industry with over 10 years of experience in sports media and sponsorship. He holds a Master’s in Sports Management from the Johan Cruyff Institute and has a strong track record of driving strategic growth and innovation in the field. Passionate about the intersection of sports, media, and business, Raphael continues to contribute to the industry with his expertise and dedication.

Eric WINTER

President & Chief Operating Officer

Eric is a Sports & Entertainment business executive who has a sharp focus on building,
maintaining, rejuvenating and investing in on & offline sports properties.
In mid-2024 Eric was named President & Chief Operating Officer of TrillerTV (formerly
known as FITE.tv). Eric manages the day-to-day business, with 30 full-time staffers around
the world.
With 7M registered users, and 950 historical content partners, TrillerTV is a current
broadcast rights holder for Live & On-Demand sports content ranging from football/soccer,
cricket, rugby, darts, wrestling, boxing, mixed martial arts & more.
From 2017 through 2024, Eric operated as a sports & entertainment consultant. His clients
ranged from leagues & rights owners to IP owners to apparel companies to athletes and
content creators (podcasters, journalists, radio & TV personalities, social media
influencers, bloggers & more).
Eric is the former CEO of Rivals.com, former Head of Business Development &
Partnerships at Yahoo Sports, former Senior Vice President & General Manager at the
Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) and former Head of non-theatrical PPV and Content
at DIRECTV Sports.

Jonathan WITTE

Senior VP of Business Development & Partnerships

Jonathan Witte is a streaming technology and OTT expert with over 25 years of experience. He has worked with industry leaders like Brightcove, Applicaster, Wowza, and is currently with Spyrosoft BSG. Jonathan specializes in creating innovative streaming solutions, optimizing content delivery, and improving user experiences. He has partnered with global brands to drive innovation and ensure smooth OTT platform performance. Passionate about advancing streaming technology, Jonathan is focused on helping clients and partners solve complex challenges.