Vertical Partnerships

    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.



    Ray Anderson

    Ray Anderson

    Arizona State University

    Vice President for University Athletics


    Don Bruce

    Don Bruce

    Haslam College of Business at the University of Tennessee

    Professor and Faculty Athletics Representative


    Lauren Crandall

    Lauren Crandall

    Wake Forest University

    Olympian (Field Hockey)


    Bubba Cunningham

    Bubba Cunningham

    University of North Carolina

    Director of Athletics


    Brett Gorman

    Brett Gorman

    USRowing

    Director of Coaching Education and National Team Coach


    Jim Knowlton

    Jim Knowlton

    University of California, Berkeley

    Director of Athletics


    Erin McDermott

    Erin McDermott

    Harvard University

    Director of Athletics


    Kathleen McNeely

    Kathleen McNeely

    NCAA

    Senior Vice President of Administration and CFO


    Sho Nakamori

    Sho Nakamori

    Stanford University

    Former National Team Athlete (Gymnastics)




    Val Ackerman

    Val Ackerman

    BIG EAST Conference

    Commissioner


    Sandy Barbour

    Sandy Barbour

    Pennsylvania State University

    Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics


    Greg Byrne

    Greg Byrne

    University of Alabama

    Director of Athletics


    Sean Frazier

    Sean Frazier

    Northern Illinois University

    Associate Vice President and Director of Athletics


    Jessica Heims

    Jessica Heims

    University of Northern Iowa

    Paralympian (Track and Field)


    Chaunte Lowe

    Chaunte Lowe

    Georgia Tech

    Olympian (Track and Field)


    Caroline Rebello

    Caroline Rebello

    Evolution Media

    Capital Managing Director


    Sierra Schmidt

    Sierra Schmidt

    University of Michigan

    National Team Athlete (Swimming)


    Max Siegel

    Max Siegel

    USA Track & Field

    CEO


    • Sho Nakamori performs on the still rings
      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."

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