PRESS RELEASE
San Diego, CA – July 28, 2025 – AVANCE Sports, a non-profit business membership organization committed to advancing the professional and economic mobility of Latinos in the sports industry, proudly announces its three-day Sports at AVANCE Global program, taking place September 18–21 at the Manchester Grand Hyatt in San Diego, CA. The conference is held in conjunction with the Proximo at AVANCE Global Event that brings together 6,000 leaders from sports, technology, media, finance, and real estate.
This groundbreaking program will bring together sports brands, athletes, executives, agents, professionals, students, investors, entrepreneurs, and leaders to explore and showcase the evolving intersection of sports, business, media, and technology. Featuring a dynamic mix of keynote sessions, industry panels , live content capture, leadership development workshops, networking events, and an inaugural sports startup pitch competition, the event will set a new standard for sports leadership and innovation.
Program highlights include:A Conversation on the New Economics of Sports: A sports executive and a top sports marketing firm engage in a conversation about the new economics of sports and the business and career opportunities that are forthcoming.
The Hidden Game: Unlocking Career Growth in the Sports Industry: Hear from some of the top leaders in sports as they break down the critical pillars of career growth: skill development, professional mobility, and mentorship. Learn practical strategies to navigate career transitions, acquire productive relationships, and build a path to leadership.
Overview of a Report on Latino representation in the NFL: Followed by a broader panel discussion about Latinos in leadership roles in the sports industry.
Business of Sports as an Asset Class: Change starts at the top. A panel discussion on emerging opportunities in sports ownership around the globe and the business of sports as an investment strategy and asset class.
Latinas in Sports: The Past, Present, and Future: Celebrate the power, grit, and legacy of some of the most world-renowned Latina athletes in this unforgettable all-star panel featuring trailblazers from the past, gamechangers of today, and rising stars of tomorrow. Hear their stories, victories, and visions as they break barriers and redefine what’s possible in sports.
Professional Development: Building the Next Generation of Latino Sports Leaders: Learn the key skills, experiences, and leadership traits top organizations seek in the next generation of sports leaders. Whether launching your career or preparing for the executive level, this session offers actionable insights to help you grow, lead, and make a lasting impact. Join the conversation on how to build a strong, sustainable pipeline of Latino leaders ready to shape the future of sports.
New Report on Latinos and Sports: Provided by McKinsey & Company.
Top Latino Sports Stories – A Conversation with World Champion Boxer and Golden Boy Promotions Founder Oscar De La Hoya: Olympic gold-medalist and 10-time world champion Oscar De La Hoya reflects on his remarkable success both in and outside the ring- and shares his vision for boxing’s future.
Sports and Social Entrepreneurship: Danny Hughes is a social entrepreneur and strategic business advisor who helps athletes and celebrities launch and scale business ventures. Drawing on his proven business principles, he tackles society’s biggest challenges by designing and implementing imaginative solutions. Danny will moderate a discussion with a panel of sports stars, showcasing the impactful and inspiring projects they’re pursuing.
The New Playbook for Sports Media Sponsored by Nielsen: Step into the future of sports with a look at cutting-edge platforms, formats, and fan experiences transforming how we watch, engage, and connect. From streaming revolutions to immersive tech and creator-led content, this session explores the innovations redefining the playbook. If you’re hungry for what’s next in sports media, you need to hear this conversation.
World Cup Mania Comes to the Americas: With FIFA World Cup 2026 right around the corner, get ready for a game-changing conversation on the seismic shift it promises for soccer in the Americas. From record-breaking crowds to business opportunities, this discussion dives into how the world’s biggest tournament will redefine the sport’s future across North America. The next era of fútbol starts now, don’t miss it.
The International Business of Sports: How Latino Fans are Shaping the Global Sports Economy: Explore how the sports industry is unlocking powerful growth by tapping into the influence, passion, and buying power of Latino fans and consumers. This session dives into the ownership opportunities, strategies leagues, brands, and teams are using to engage this dynamic cohort and how it’s reshaping the future of sports marketing.
Multicultural Marketing Tactics: Turning Cultural Insight into Massive Impact: Discover how multicultural marketing campaigns break through cultural silos to drive massive mainstream success. Unpack the strategy, creativity, and cultural insight behind a campaign that resonated deeply with diverse audiences and moved the needle across the general market. It’s a powerful look at why inclusive marketing is great for overall business.
Power Moves: Building Brand Partnerships that Win in the Latino Market: Discover how top brands are forging powerful partnerships to authentically engage the Latino market. This dynamic panel brings together leaders across industries sharing real-world strategies, success stories, and fresh approaches to collaboration. Learn how to turn brand strategy into lasting impact with one of the fastest growing and most influential audiences in sports.
Sports x Fashion: How Latino Influence is Shaping the Future of Fashion, Sports, and Culture: Explore the vibrant intersection of sports, fashion, and culture powered by the creativity and influence of the Latino community. Latino-led collaborations are shaping trends in apparel, footwear, and game-day style across sports and entertainment. From heritage-inspired streetwear to bold performance looks, Latino voices are redefining how culture shows up on and off the field. Come hear how brands are leveraging these collaborations to tap into the Latino market, drive consumption, and create authentic cultural connections.
Game Changer: NIL’s Impact on the College Athlete: NIL has made college sports larger in popularity and revenue than every American league after the NFL, NBA and MLB. This panel examines its profound impact on branding and business opportunities. Hear from industry experts on how NIL is transforming sports, and the skills and talents American universities will need to acquire in order to compete favorably.
Champions of Character: Leadership Lessons in Sport and Life: Leadership on and off the court defines success beyond the scoreboard. This inspiring panel brings together accomplished athletes, coaches, and sports professionals to share personal stories, hard-earned wisdom, and the values that shape great leaders. Discover how lessons from the game translate into life-long principles of resilience, service, and excellence.
AVANCE Podcast LIVE Recording: Cultura: Join us for a live recording of the AVANCE Sports Podcast, hosted by Charlie Cancino, on how Latino culture is shaping trends in the general market with a spotlight on sports entertainment. Hear from some of the best voices in the industry for this once-in-a-lifetime conversation you absolutely cannot miss!
The Quantum Impact of AI on Economics of Sports: A top expert in AI shares his perspective on the latest innovations in sports technology.
Accelerating Sports Startups: Latino Founders Changing the Game: Get inspired by the bold visionaries redefining the sports industry through Latino/a-owned startups at different stages of the entrepreneurial journey. This session spotlights innovative founders building brands, platforms, and products sharing real talk on their wins, setbacks, and the hustle behind the scenes. Come hear how culture, strategy, and resilience are fueling the next wave of sports business leaders.
AVANCE Sports Startup Pitch Competition: For the first time ever, AVANCE Sports will host a startup pitch competition for Latino/a founders and award the “Latino Sports Startup of the Year” to the winner. Participants will be carefully selected and have the opportunity to pitch their business idea or product to a room of institutional investors, angel investors, and other high-net-worth individuals looking for a business opportunity or partnership.
“AVANCE Sports does not only bring together some of the biggest names in sports; it’s creating a platform where emerging leaders and industry professionals can connect, engage, and ultimately conduct business together,” said Alex Martinez, Executive Director for AVANCE Sports.
Registration Now Open
Register for Sports at AVANCE
Global
here. Early Bird pricing ends July 31st, 2025.
Sponsorship & Partnerships
To explore sponsorship
opportunities or customize a brand presence at AVANCE Sports, please contact
Alex Martinez,
alex@avancesports.org
For more information and media inquiries, please contact pr@avancesports.org
About AVANCE Sports
AVANCE Sports is a 501(c)(6) non-profit business membership organization committed to advancing the professional and economic mobility of Latinos in the sports industry through advocacy, education, and mentorship. AVANCE Sports is the ultimate platform for anyone in the sports ecosystem who wants to capitalize on the audience and revenue growth opportunities provided by the U.S. and global Latino markets. It offers memberships for individuals and corporations, organizes a robust mentorship program, showcases top talent, and produces one of the largest sports business conferences in the country.