Sponsorship
There are multiple ways to show your support for the Forum and to engage with one of the largets and most influential team-based audiences in any sports business events. Sponsors align themselves with one or more of the five pillars of content through myriad types of sponsorships.
SPONSORSHIP SALES & PARTNER ACTIVATION
MARKETING & FAN ENGAGEMENT
TICKET SALES & SERVICE
BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT
DIVERSITY & INCLUSION
Thought Leadership
If you wish to share your unique perspective and expertise from the stage, consider our thought leadership sponsorship options that put you right in front of our impactful and diverse audience.
Super Panel
GOLD LEVEL
Four Super panels are held throughout the conference, offering strategic insights and driving meaningful industry dialogue. Each Super Panel features a moderator leading a dynamic discussion with four distinguished panelists, focusing on the most pressing issues facing the sports industry today.
Workshops
SILVER LEVEL
National Sports Forum features 10 dynamic workshops designed to deliver actionable insights across key areas of the sports industry. Led exclusively by NSF Steering Committee members, these sessions include both general and league-specific tracks, offering tailored content and peer-driven collaboration for professionals at every level.
Breakout Sessions
SILVER LEVEL
The National Sports Forum offers over 30 breakout sessions covering key topics such as marketing, sponsorship, ticketing, business development and diversity and inclusion. Led by industry experts, these sessions provide practical insights and foster meaningful dialogue among professionals.
Business Development Breakout
Diversity and Inclusion Breakout
Marketing and Fan Engagement Breakout
Sponsorship and Partner Activation Breakout
Ticket Sales and Services Breakout
Tech Tank
SHOWCASE LEVEL
The NSF Tech Tanks are a dynamic showcase of emerging technologies designed to transform the sports and entertainment industry. Featuring live demonstrations and strategic presentations, this program highlights innovative solutions in areas such as fan engagement, data analytics, venue operations and digital marketing, offering attendees a firsthand look at cutting-edge tools shaping the future of the field.
Marketing and Fan Engagement Tech Tank
Sponsorship and Partner Activation Tech Tank
Ticket Sales and Services Tech Tank
Receptions / Hospitality
The magic of SBJ National Sports Forum comes alive during the informal moments – when attendees create new and lasting relationships. By sponsoring our various hospitality moments, your brand will be part of these new memories.
RECEPTIONS
Founders Reception
SILVER LEVEL
Private VIP dinner the night before the NSF starts. Guests are Speakers, Sponsors, Breakout Leaders, Steering Committee, Hosts and VIPs. Sponsor speaks to the assembled group during the event.
Welcome Reception
SILVER LEVEL
The NSF Welcome Reception is the official kickoff to the National Sports Forum, offering attendees a relaxed and engaging environment to connect with peers, speakers, and industry leaders. Held on the opening evening, this networking event features refreshments, entertainment and the opportunity to build relationships ahead of the week’s programming.
Women Leaders Reception
SILVER LEVEL
A special Monday evening networking cocktail event open to all attendees, featuring a sit-down interview with prominent female executives. The program may also include a venue tour, subject to host availability.
Closing Gala
SILVER LEVEL
Sponsored by Budweiser since 2003
MEALS & BREAKS
Breakfast
SILVER LEVEL
Attendees get a jump-start at Leaders Group events to fuel up and network before the day’s programming commences. Place your brand in front of hundreds of eager attendees and brighten breakfast with your own unique brand.
Newcomer's Breakfast
SILVER LEVEL
Sponsored by Advent for 2026. The NSF Newcomers Breakfast is a dedicated networking event held prior to the start of the conference, designed to welcome first-time attendees. Participants have the opportunity to connect with NSF Steering Committee members in a relaxed, table-based setting to begin building meaningful industry relationships.
Luncheon
BRONZE LEVEL
With hundreds of attendees viewing your brand during prime networking time, lunch sponsorships are an excellent way to be remembered and customize the attendee experience.
Networking Break
BRONZE LEVEL
This sponsorship offers branding and engagement opportunities across four networking breaks: Monday morning and afternoon, and Tuesday morning and afternoon.
Activations
There are multiple ways to have your involvement with the Forum take on its own personality through our customizable sponsorships occurring alongside many Forum traditions.
BDSE
SILVER LEVEL
The NSF BDSE (Business of Diversity in Sports & Entertainment) program is a dedicated track focused on advancing diversity, equity and inclusion across the sports and entertainment industries. It features curated sessions, networking opportunities, and thought leadership for the 2026 BDSE Cohort designed to empower underrepresented voices and drive meaningful change.
Case Cup
BRONZE LEVEL
The NSF Case Cup is a four-person graduate student competition held in the days leading up to the Forum, with participation capped at 12 universities per year. As part of a three-year sponsorship agreement, the sponsor is guaranteed that one year’s case study will be developed around their business.
Challenge Cup
BRONZE LEVEL
The Challenge Cup is a virtual graduate student competition held each October, featuring up to 12 schools with four-person teams. The winning school receives five NSF attendee badges, hotel accommodations, and a $3,000 travel stipend for the following February. A three-year sponsorship guarantees one year’s case will be built around the sponsor’s business.
Connect
SILVER LEVEL
Co-host a structured networking session for event attendees with SBJ executives, showcasing your expertise during round table discussions and group feedback.
SAMMY Awards
BRONZE LEVEL
The NSF SAMMY Awards recognize outstanding achievement in sports marketing campaigns that demonstrate creativity, innovation and measurable results. Presented annually at the National Sports Forum, the awards celebrate excellence across the industry and honor organizations that elevate the standard of sports marketing.
Venue Tour
BRONZE LEVEL
This opportunity includes a dedicated stop during the NSF Venue Tour, where the sponsor can showcase products and activations to attendees. Held across three premier facilities, the tour offers direct engagement with industry professionals in an immersive setting.
Branding
Have attendees remember your name and logo by placing it alongside often viewed and remembered locations and moments across the Forum.
Badge
BRONZE LEVEL
Attendees wear their badges to foster connections throughout our events. They are worn throughout the content, experiences, networking, hospitality gatherings and in the speaker green room. Ensure your brand is consistently visible for days to all.
Beer Wagon
BRONZE LEVEL
Showcase your brand during the post-program gatherings on Sunday and Tuesday, where all attendees convene before heading to evening events. This high-visibility activation offers casual engagement in a central, social setting.
Content Studio
BRONZE LEVEL
Cohost sharable video content and align your brand with the buzz of the conference by interviewing speakers and attendees along the SBJ video team.
Custom Workshop Hospitality
SILVER LEVEL
Branded wrap-up cocktail bar at the conclusion of the Workshop to showcase your company’s name.
General Session Hall
BRONZE LEVEL
This sponsorship includes naming rights to the main ballroom, offering prominent brand exposure during all general sessions.
Lanyard
BRONZE LEVEL
Attendees wear their lanyards and badges to foster connections throughout our events. They are worn throughout the content, experiences, and to networking and hospitality gatherings and in the speaker green room. Ensure your brand is consistently visible for days to all.
Lounge
BRONZE LEVEL
Attendees like nothing more than having small and private places to gather at the NSF. By creating a lounge area that highlights your product, service or message, you ensure that the important conversations attendees have are in your own custom designed space – able to meet with your team.
Official Bar
BRONZE LEVEL
Includes branded coasters, cocktail napkins, on-site signage and evening bar activation following each conference day.
Registration
BRONZE LEVEL
Seen by every attendee, the registration desk and process is the key moment that attendees begin their event journey with us. Align your brand with the starting point of our events and attendees’ experience.
Room Key
BRONZE LEVEL
This sponsorship includes branded hotel room key cards distributed to all attendees staying at the official NSF host hotel.
Trade Show Hall
BRONZE LEVEL
This sponsorship designates the sponsor as the presenting partner of the NSF Trade Show Hall, with category alignment based on the sponsor’s products or services. It also includes exclusive sponsorship of the Monday evening Happy Hour Reception held within the Trade Show.
2026 Sponsors
PRESENTING SPONSOR
PRESENTING SPONSOR
HOST
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