Moderator: Jeff Ma

Panelists: Claire Rogers, Fahad Zahid, Josh Talge, Samantha Barkowski

In blackjack, when players optimized the system, casinos didn’t celebrate the math — they changed the rules. Golf may be facing a similar moment. From strokes gained and AI swing tools to launch monitors, simulators, new equipment standards, and real-time broadcast data, technology is reshaping how the game is played and consumed. At the same time, new competitive formats, private capital investment, the rise of LIV Golf, and evolving media and betting ecosystems are challenging long-held assumptions about what professional golf should look like — and how it should make money.

This panel brings together leaders across the PGA ecosystem, equipment innovation, sports investment, media, and digital strategy to debate whether this wave of technology and commercialization is strengthening golf — or quietly redefining it. Are simulators expanding the funnel or replacing green grass golf? Are new formats and capital accelerating innovation or fragmenting tradition? As tours explore new monetization models and fans consume the sport through highlights, betting apps, and social media, we’ll examine whether golf is evolving intentionally — or being optimized into something fundamentally different.

This panel brings together leaders from the PGA, golf media, and digital analytics to examine how data, platforms, and new viewing experiences are changing golf consumption from start to finish. Panelists will discuss what is working today, how data is improving storytelling and fan understanding, and where future innovation will create real value for fans, media partners, and the sport.

Moderator: Jackie MacMullan

Panelists: Daryl Morey, Jay Sugarman, Nate Silver, Sue Bird

An athlete, front office executive, owner, and an outsider. Four different perspectives, united by a willingness to think differently. Panelists discuss their approach to thinking unconventionally, what makes for a good unconventional thinker, and what organizations in sports and beyond can do to approach novel problems differently.

Moderator: Peko Hosoi

Panelists: Josh Gwyther, Samin Odhwani, Annie Lokesh

In 2026, AI is rapidly becoming a foundational technology across industries, and sports is no exception. Emerging leagues have often led the way, driving new innovation and adopting new technologies at a rapid pace. This panel will explore how these leagues are implementing AI in ways that were previously not possible, from officiating and game operations to athlete health and fan engagement. Looking ahead, panelists will highlight the most promising applications poised to define the next decade of sports, as well as the challenges leagues face in integrating AI responsibly.