30 Professional Sports Organizations Represented in Spring 2026 Leadership Cohorts

AUSTIN, TX - April 29, 2026 – Pro Sports Assembly (“PRO”), the industry association for professional sports organizations and business leaders at teams, leagues, unions and venues, announced the leaders selected for four 2026 Learning & Leadership Development (L&LD) cohorts. Demonstrating their commitment to individual growth, organizational impact and industry-wide influence, the leaders selected are engaging with colleagues across pro sports to grow relationships and gain resources of material interest.

The four cohorts offer exclusive experiences for PRO members committed to elevating their leadership impact and refining their influence across leagues, regions, and roles, to prove the value of informed and inclusive leadership shaping the future of professional sports. Through shared learning, research, and opportunities to pressure-test their development efforts, the members are better prepared to lead the next trillio-dollar industry. The full cohort rosters are included below.

Class of 2026 Medal of Leadership Nominations Now Open Through May 15, 2026

Pro Sports Assembly is Accepting Nominations for Four Prestigious Honors, Including the Marshall Award for Values in Sport and the Jason Jenkins “Victory for Humanity” Award

AUSTIN, TX - April 7, 2026 – Pro Sports Assembly (“PRO”), the industry association for professional sports organizations and business leaders is accepting nominations for the 2026 Medal of Leadership honorees through May 15, 2026. The celebration for the fourth class of recipients will take place at The Assembly: Pro Sports Leadership Retreat in Austin, TX on August 18, 2026. It will begin with a gold carpet reception presented by Oak View Group Arena Alliance and the program will feature “Late Night Cynterviews” with the honorees, hosted by Cynthia “Cynt” Marshall, former Dallas Mavericks CEO.

Pro Sports Assembly and Populous Partner to Advance Excellence in Professional Sports Leadership

The strategic partnership provides professional sports leaders with insight and connections to support informed decisions about venue design, fan experience and community engagement.

AUSTIN, TX - January 27, 2026 – Pro Sports Assembly (“PRO”), the industry association for professional sports organizations and business leaders at teams, leagues, unions and venues, has announced a new strategic partnership with Populous, the global design firm behind the world’s most iconic sports and entertainment destinations.

New Directors Elected to Prepare Members to lead the next trillion-dollar Industry

Pro Sports Assembly Elects Marina Carpenter of the Arizona Cardinals as 2026/2027 Board Chair and Announces New Executive Committee Leadership

AUSTIN, TX - January 6, 2026 – Pro Sports Assembly (“PRO”), the association for professional sports business organizations and leaders, announces today that Marina Carpenter, Senior Vice President, Legal for the Arizona Cardinals of the National Football League, has been elected to serve as the 2026/2027 Board Chair. Carpenter steps into the role at a time when the organization’s influence and impact is accelerating across teams, leagues, unions and venues. Over the last five years, PRO has prepared members to lead the next trillion-dollar industry.

Marina joined the Cardinals in early 2025 and brings over a decade of experience in professional sports, public affairs, and organizational governance. She served as Vice-Chair for the Governing Board in 2025, has been a Co-Chair of The Assembly: Pro Sports Leadership Retreat and has been active in efforts to strengthen standards that prove the value of informed and inclusive leadership. Carpenter succeeds Oracio Galindo, Head of Employee Experience at the Los Angeles Rams, who served as Board Chair during 2024/2025. Moving into the role of Immediate Past Chair, he will serve as Chair of the Annual Nominations Committee.

Pro Sports Assembly Announces 2026 Q1 Leadership Summit Co-Chairs, Location, and Topic

“Navigating Politics in Leadership: When to Expend Political Capital”

Austin, TX - December 3, 2025 – Pro Sports Assembly (“PRO”), the association for professional sports business organizations and leaders, is pleased to announce the first Leadership Summit of 2026, “Navigating Politics in Leadership: When to Expend Political Capital,” will be hosted on Thursday, January 29, 2026 at Hollywood Park in Los Angeles, CA.

The Leadership Summit provides professional sports leaders across leagues, geographies, and disciplines with a secure space to exchange insights, pressure-test new ideas, and collaborate on common challenges, providing leaders with the relationships and resources to succeed. Events like this Summit highlight the impact of informed and inclusive leadership on the industry as a whole, embodied through the leadership of this year’s Co-Chairs:

Pro Sports Assembly Announces Transformative Partnership with Bloombase

The collaboration equips experienced leaders with new relationships and resources to maximize their potential at the leading edge of performance and purpose.

Austin, TX - November 18, 2025 –  Pro Sports Assembly (“PRO”), the industry association for professional sports organizations and business leaders at teams, leagues, unions and venues, has announced a new partnership with Bloombase, a nationally recognized leadership development firm relied on by Fortune 500 companies. Together, PRO and Bloombase introduce The Growth Edge, a transformative, 7-month experience for a select cohort of experienced leaders in professional sports.

This partnership prepares members of PRO to stand out, drive value, and create a strong, healthy and fair future for the next trillion-dollar industry.

Twenty Exceptional Professional Sports Leaders Selected for the Second Cohort of the VP Circle with The Venn Collective

Elevating Performance, Innovation, and Strategic Influence Across the Industry

Austin, TX - November 6, 2025 –  Pro Sports Assembly ("PRO"), the association for professional sports organizations and business leaders is proud to introduce 20 leaders selected for the second cohort of the VP Circle with The Venn Collective.

The VP Circle with The Venn Collective is an elite cohort-based leadership experience for Pro Sports Assembly members. Through the VP Circle, the Cohort gains new relationships and resources to maintain their trajectory as high-influence leaders. Together they will drive impactful outcomes, and elevate their organization within the professional sports industry. The Venn Collective supports professionals in honing their leadership skills and refining their individual leadership styles. Through initiatives like the VP Circle, Pro Sports Assembly is preparing members to lead the next trillion-dollar industry.

Winning Team of the VP Circle with The Venn Collective Pitches PWHL Expansion Franchise to Industry and League Leaders

Cohort 2 Nominations and Applications are open until September 5

Austin, TX - August 12, 2025 –  Pro Sports Assembly (“PRO”), the association for professional sports organizations and business leaders, celebrates the winning team from Cohort 1 of the VP Circle with The Venn Collective. The Cohort made up of 20 PRO leaders from across teams, leagues and unions completed an immersive 8 month leadership experience, culminating in capstone presentations that challenged each team of five to solve complex, real-world business scenarios.

The Cohort 1 concluded with four teams acting as the executive leadership team of a fictional sports franchise facing multifaceted challenges. Working in teams, participants developed strategies to address operational, financial, and cultural priorities while adapting to evolving circumstances.

First-of-its-Kind Public Policy Poll for the Professional Sports Industry Launched by Pro Sports Assembly in Partnership with Navigate

Owners, Investors and Full-Time Leaders at US-Based Professional Sports Teams, Leagues, and Unions are Being Polled on Public Policy Operations and Priorities

Austin, TX - June 17, 2025 –  Pro Sports Assembly (“PRO”), the association for professional sports organizations and business leaders, has launched a nation-wide, US-based public policy poll designed to equip owners, equity holders, and senior leaders with a powerful new tool that provides valuable insights into how public policy, regulations, and operational shifts are shaping the future of the professional sports industry.

In partnership with Navigate—a data-driven consulting firm serving top brands and organizations across the sports and entertainment industries—the poll aims to:

Pro Sports Assembly Announces New Partnership with Mercer

Featuring exclusive offers for PRO Organizations and an Expert-led Learning Cohort Focused on People, Purpose & Pay  

Austin, TX - June 4, 2025 – Pro Sports Assembly (“PRO”), the association for professional sports organizations and business leaders, has announced a new partnership with global HR consulting leader Mercer. The multi-year, multi-faceted partnership provides PRO Organizations with exclusive benefits that include discounted rates on consulting services and research and offers PRO members an opportunity to participate in an annual leadership cohort focused on People, Purpose & Pay; a six-part virtual learning series that supports professional sports leaders in aligning compensation packages with evolving organizational goals, industry trends and workforce expectations.

The new leadership cohort brings pro sports leaders together from across teams, leagues, unions and venues to gain perspective and deepen their understanding of financial recognition, benefits, and talent development from Mercer’s experts and each other. Through a mix of live virtual sessions, interactive case studies, and a collaborative capstone project the select “People, Purpose & Pay” cohort members will gain skills to lead with clarity, advocate for people-centered initiatives, and build more inclusive and value-driven workplaces.

Pro Sports Assembly Introduces 2025 MEDAL OF LEADERSHIP HONOREES

Pro Sports Assembly Members Honor Four Leaders for their Exceptional Contributions and Impact on the Industry

Pro Sports Assembly is Accepting Nominations for Four Prestigeous Honors, Including the Marshall Award for Values in Sport and Jason Jenkins “Victory for Humanity” Award

New Directors Elected to Champion Leadership Excellence in Professional Sports

Austin, TX - December 10, 2024 – Pro Sports Assembly (PRO), the industry association for professional sports organizations and business leaders, has announced the addition of Dr. Kyra Kendrick to its management team. 

Elevating Performance, Innovation, and Strategic Influence Across the Industry 

SEPT 25, 2024 (Austin, TX) –  Pro Sports Assembly ("PRO"), the association for professional sports organizations and business leaders announces a new partnership with The Venn Collective, bringing enhanced executive leadership development opportunities to PRO members. A highlight of the partnership is The VP Circle leadership cohort for a select group of senior leaders aiming to refine their leadership and influence capabilities, preparing them for roles with increased exposure and impact.

The VP Circle with The Venn Collective is an intimate executive leadership development cohort focused on expanding participants' sphere of influence, driving impactful outcomes, and elevating their organizational performance and influence across the industry. The selected leaders will embark on a journey facilitated by The Venn Collective, enhancing their ability to lead themselves, others, and their organizations through their unique leadership styles.

Featuring PROfiles Video Series

SEPT 19, 2024 (Austin, TX) -  As Pro Sports Assembly approaches its 4th anniversary on September 20th, 2024, the organization is proud to share the PROfiles video series, continuing its mission to elevate leadership excellence in professional sports. Since its establishment in 2019, Pro Sports Assembly has united professional sports organizations and leaders, creating a platform that fosters growth, innovation, and collaboration across the industry.

Over Two Dozen Organizations Represented in Three Learning & Development Programs 

SEPT 11, 2024 (Austin, TX) - Pro Sports Assembly (“PRO”), the association for professional sports business leaders, announced the three latest leadership cohorts for 2024 learning & development programs. Demonstrating their commitment to individual growth, organizational impact and industry-wide influence, the leaders selected will engage with colleagues across pro sports to grow relationships and gain resources of material interest.

The three L&D programs offer exclusive experiences to support PRO members who take their leadership responsibilities seriously; refining their leadership capabilities across leagues, regions, and roles to expand their influence. Active members of the association bring the PRO Game Plan for Leadership Excellence to life and create economies of scale and scope for all members, driving growth in learning, research, and leadership development to future-proof their careers, organizations and the industry.

Four Medal of Leadership Honorees were Celebrated and Dallas Mavericks Issue Inclusive Leadership Challenge

Austin, TX - June 6, 2024 – Pro Sports Assembly (PRO), the association for professional sports business leaders, celebrated its second class of honorees for the PRO Medal of Leadership Awards during a celebration last night at The Assembly: Pro Sports Leadership Retreat and Workshop in Austin, TX. The four Medal of Leadership Award honorees were selected by members of PRO for elevating the standards of leadership excellence in professional sports. The Medal of Leadership Awards celebration was hosted by Seth Cohen, Chief Impact Officer at Forbes and Chioma Atanmo of Sporting KC.

This year’s PRO Medal of Leadership Award honorees include: