2026 AGENDA

  • Doors open at 8:00 AM. Warm up with breakfast and networking before the day kicks off and explore the Sponsor & Innovation Zone.

  • We’ll get up to speed on what’s happening with sports in the Land, including:

    • Updates on the new Greater Cleveland Sports Hall of Fame

    • Major events and regional impact from Cleveland Sports Commission

    • New sports fields and facilities from Cleveland Metroparks

    SPEAKERS

    • James Voos, MD, Jack and Mary Herrick Distinguished Chair, Orthopedics and Sports Medicine at University Hospitals Drusinsky Sports Medicine Institute; Head Team Physician, Cleveland Browns

    • JW Johnson, Managing Partner, Haslam Sports Group

    • David Gilbert, President & CEO, Greater Cleveland Sports Commission; President & CEO, Destination Cleveland

  • SportsLand™’s opening keynote will explore the intersection of sports, leadership, and innovation, and the role they each play in shaping healthier communities and stronger economies. Drawing on a career spanning coaching, education, and public service, Lt. Governor Tressel will share perspectives on building high-performing teams, fostering resilience, and driving impact across sectors. We’ll set the tone for the day by highlighting the power of collaboration across sports, health, and business to unlock future opportunities.

    SPEAKER

    • Jim Tressel, Lieutenant Governor of Ohio; Former Head Football Coach, The Ohio State University; Former Head Football Coach, Youngstown State University

    MODERATOR

    • Bridget Linton, Sports & Entertainment Host, Cleveland Browns

  • As athlete monitoring, wearables, and performance analytics expand, athletes and performance teams must translate constant streams of data into smarter training, recovery, and competition decisions. This panel explores the intersection of mental performance, cognitive health, and data-driven insights, and how technology platforms, clinicians, and athletes balance performance data with the human side of elite sport.

    SPEAKERS

    • Dan Fronczak, Co-Founder & President, Healthy Roster

    • Emily Perrin, Licensed Clinical Social Worker & Mindfulness and Performance Coach

    • Joel Bitonio, Former Cleveland Browns Offensive Guard

    MODERATOR

    • Jacob Calcei, MD, Orthopaedic Surgeon, University Hospitals Drusinsky Sports Medicine Institute; Team Physician, Cleveland Browns; Team Physician, Cleveland Ballet

  • We’ll take a short time-out before jumping back into the conversation.

  • Sports are increasingly viewed as an investable asset class, spanning team ownership, venue and district development, NIL (name, image, and likeness) strategy, and fan-driven revenue growth. This panel focuses on how operators, teams, and corporations evaluate sports assets, what is driving valuations, and where durable returns are being created across franchises, facilities, and collegiate athletics. Panelists will discuss the evolving economics of NIL, the role of real estate and premium experiences, and how capital, governance, and strategy intersect to shape the next phase of sports business growth.

    SPEAKERS

    • Pete Edwards, MD, Investor Operator, Columbus Crew; Investor Operator, NWSL Columbus 2028; Retired Orthopedic Surgeon

    • Len Komoroski, Senior Advisor, Rock Entertainment Group; Chairman/Managing Partner, Lake Erie Crushers

    • Chuck Kyle, Youth Advisor, Cleveland Browns

    • Cardale Jones, Analyst, CBS Sports; Former NFL Quarterback; National Championship–winning Quarterback,  The Ohio State University

    MODERATOR

    • Lindsay Strauch, Director, Sales Solutions, OneTeam Partners

  • Two organizations, two perspectives, one mission: advancing human performance. In this fast-paced session, experts from NASA and Riddell share the latest developments in astronaut health, athlete safety, and performance nutrition, highlighting how innovation is redefining what's possible across sport, health, and high-performance environments.

    THE ROAD TO THE MOON GOES THROUGH OHIO

    • Kelly Gilkey, Exploration Medical Portfolio Manager, NASA Mars Campaign Office

    RIDDELL INSITE ANALYTICS DEMO

    • Adam LaFollette, Regional Sales Manager, Riddell

  • We’ll hear how teams and leagues are redefining fandom through culture, community, and storytelling using technology as an enabler to deepen connection and expand reach. This conversation will explore how athlete-driven narratives, digital platforms, and in-person experiences are coming together to engage younger and more diverse audiences, while fostering healthier, more connected fan communities that extend well beyond game day.

    SPEAKERS

    • Gina Prodan Kelly, Chief Marketing Officer, Forest City Cleveland & Cleveland Astra

    • Jerod Cherry, Sideline Reporter, Cleveland Browns Radio Network; Co-Host, The Next Level, ESPN Cleveland; Three-Time NFL Super Bowl Champion

    • Kevin Clayton, Executive Vice President, Chief Impact & Equity Officer, Rock Entertainment Group and Cleveland Cavaliers

    • Brent Rossi, Chief Marketing Officer, Haslam Sports Group

    MODERATOR

    • Kumar Arora, CEO & Founder, Arora Ventures

  • Enjoy a one-hour break to refuel and network with industry professionals.

  • Get back into the game after lunch with a message from the CEO of University Hospitals.

    SPEAKER

    • Cliff Megerian, MD, FACS, CEO, University Hospitals

  • Sports performance and sports medicine are evolving rapidly through AI, data, sensors, and new care delivery models—but venture capital has become more disciplined. This panel explores how the sports tech market is being assessed from both the investment and operator lenses, where conviction remains strong, and how expectations around evidence, adoption, and business models have tightened. Founders will share firsthand insights on navigating fundraising, validation, and real-world deployment in today’s environment while highlighting how collaboration between founders, investors, clinicians, teams, and industry leaders can accelerate partnership and innovation across the sports ecosystem.

    SPEAKERS

    • Mark Kvamme, CEO & Chief Investment Officer, The O.H.I.O. Fund

    • Nate Thompson, Founder, Catalyst Sports Ventures  

    • Jill Miranda, Founder & CEO, Snatch Health

    • Brooke Sirak, Family Office Director, Kaulig Capital

    MODERATOR

    • Jeffrey Hintz, Executive Director, Sports Tech HQ

  • Finalists of the Haslam Sports Innovation Center Challenge will pitch their groundbreaking solutions that will transform the future of sports performance, health, and wellness. We’ll also have a fireside chat with the 2025 challenge winners, BRCE and LUBU Technologies. This competition—presented in collaboration with UH Haslam Sports Innovation Center and supported by Plug and Play Health and Plug and Play Sportstech—aims to accelerate innovations in sports, health, and wellness while supporting winners with investment opportunities and/or prize money along with the chance to pilot and co-develop their technologies in the UH HSIC living lab.

    SPEAKERS

    • Lisa Piazza, Director, UH Haslam Sports Innovation Center; Operations Director, UH Drusinsky Sports Medicine Institute

    • Matthew Zenker, Director, Deal Flow and Investments, UH Ventures

    • Kevin Sheppard, Chief Operating Officer, Caddix

    • Tanvi Gadamsetti, Chief Operating Officer & Co-Founder, BRCE

    • Madhav Aggarwal, CEO & Co-Founder, BRCE

    • Luca Burrato, Founder & CEO, LUBU Technologies

    MODERATOR

    • Nathan Zegura, Senior Broadcaster, Cleveland Browns

  • Join Nick Chubb for an inside look at his NFL journey. This keynote explores the intersection of cutting-edge sports medicine, performance technology, and personal resilience, highlighting how modern innovation supports athletes in returning stronger, faster, and smarter to the field.

    SPEAKERS

    • James Voos, MD, Jack and Mary Herrick Distinguished Chair, Orthopedics and Sports Medicine at University Hospitals Drusinsky Sports Medicine Institute; Head Team Physician, Cleveland Browns

    • Nick Chubb, NFL Running Back

    MODERATOR

    • Aaron Goldhammer, Co-Host, The Really Big Show, ESPN Cleveland

  • This conversation will highlight the new Specialized Care for Female Athletes program at University Hospitals, focusing on the unique health challenges female athletes face and how more coordinated, athlete-centered care can better support performance, recovery, and long-term wellness.

    SPEAKERS

    • Lisa Piazza, Director, UH Haslam Sports Innovation Center; Operations Director, UH Drusinsky Sports Medicine Institute

    • Stephanie Teal, MD, MPH, Obstetrician and Gynecologist-in-Chief, University Hospitals

    MODERATOR

    • Macie Jepson, Communications Manager, Caregiver Engagement, Media Relations Senior Strategist, UH Drusinsky Sport Medicine Institute and Orthopedics, University Hospitals

  • We’ll conclude with the announcement of the UH Haslam Sports Innovation Center Pitch Competition winners and some final thoughts before heading into overtime at the evening’s light networking reception.

    SPEAKER

    • David Sylvan, Chief Strategy, Innovation & Marketing Officer, University Hospitals

  • Throughout the day, brief presentations from the Haslam Sports Innovation Center portfolio companies will showcase emerging innovation in sports and health.

    FEATURED COMPANIES

    • CollaMedix

    • OsteoCentric Sports

    • T3 Performance

    • Enovis

    • KyurMD

    • UGen

    • Lazurite

    • The Unbroken Athlete

    • BRCE

    • LUBU Technologies