Overview
The vertical partnerships group sought to connect sport-specific stakeholders to create resource efficiencies, explore increased exposure options and test revenue-partnering opportunities within a singular sport. The project challenges the current model where most Olympic and Paralympic sports' rights are bundled with football and basketball agreements, limiting exposure, commercial opportunities and broader stakeholder engagement.
Several stakeholders contributed to the vertical partnership work – including individuals from Evolution Media Capital, Learfield IMG College, the Big 12 Conference, the Pac-12 Conference, USA Track & Field, USA Field Hockey, USA Volleyball, USA Gymnastics and U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Properties/LA28. As part of the project, a survey was issued to college-centric NGBs to determine their willingness to lend staff, infrastructure and/or resources to partner in administering NCAA championships. One-hundred percent of NGBs responded with an interest to partner on this work.
In addition, with the Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games being contested in 2021, stakeholders expressed the importance of facilitating coverage on school and conference channels. Highlighting ties to the Olympic and Paralympic movements to local school communities would cement the important role school programs play in developing elite athletes. From this work, With that, energy around championships partnerships and resource-sharing became the group's focus areas.
VERTICAL PARTNERSHIPS WORKING GROUP (CHAMPIONSHIP PARTNERSHIPS)
 | Ray Anderson | Arizona State University Vice President for University Athletics |
 | Don Bruce | Haslam College of Business at the University of Tennessee Professor and Faculty Athletics Representative |
 | Lauren Crandall | Wake Forest University Olympian (Field Hockey) |
 | Bubba Cunningham | University of North Carolina Director of Athletics |
 | Brett Gorman | USRowing Director of Coaching Education and National Team Coach |
 | Jim Knowlton | University of California, Berkeley Director of Athletics |
 | Erin McDermott | Harvard University Director of Athletics |
 | Kathleen McNeely | NCAA Senior Vice President of Administration and CFO |
 | Sho Nakamori | Stanford University Former National Team Athlete (Gymnastics) |
VERTICAL PARTNERSHIPS WORKING GROUP (CONTENT SHARING)
 | Val Ackerman | BIG EAST Conference Commissioner |
 | Sandy Barbour | Pennsylvania State University Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics |
 | Greg Byrne | University of Alabama Director of Athletics |
 | Sean Frazier | Northern Illinois University Associate Vice President and Director of Athletics |
 | Jessica Heims | University of Northern Iowa Paralympian (Track and Field) |
 | Chaunte Lowe | Georgia Tech Olympian (Track and Field) |
 | Caroline Rebello | Evolution Media Capital Managing Director |
 | Sierra Schmidt | University of Michigan National Team Athlete (Swimming) |
 | Max Siegel | USA Track & Field CEO |
- Getty Images
Sho Nakamori, Stanford University
"In college I learned the true meaning of team - to put the betterment of the group above all else."
