Updated
September 25, 2025
Published
September 24, 2025
Sports and entertainment aren’t just pastimes, they’re industries driving economic growth, jobs, and global influence. From the rise of women’s sports and the evolution of athlete-to-entrepreneur careers to the fast-moving shifts in media, policy, and technology, sports and entertainment are more than cultural cornerstones, they are powerful economic drivers.
During the inaugural "An Economic Engine: Sports, Entertainment, and Policy-Driven Growth" summit, the U.S. Chamber convened leaders in sports and entertainment, corporate executives, professional athletes, artists and policymakers to discuss the business of sports and entertainment.
“Sports, music, and film bring together people from all backgrounds and every corner of our country. They are areas that offer great potential to find common ground and share in the thrill and excitement of their industries,” said Rick Wade, Senior Vice President of Strategic Alliances and Outreach, U.S. Chamber of Commerce.
Rewatch the Summit
Panelists and guests shared perspectives on the trends, policies, challenges, and economic opportunities shaping the future of sports and entertainment in the U.S. and around the world. Speakers also emphasized the rapid changes in traditional media and the sports industry driven by innovation, data, and fan engagement, and how athletes are making the transition from sports to the business world.
Sports Drives Economic Growth
Congressman Gregory W. Meeks (D-NY) said the sports industry brings joy, a shared experience, and spurs economic growth.
“Behind the roar of the crowd lies a powerful economic engine that generates billions of dollars creates millions of jobs, and fuels growth,” Meeks said. “The economic power of sports and entertainment is a force.”
As Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, and with the United States set to host the 2028 Olympics and the upcoming World Cup, Meeks emphasized the power of sports to change the world. Quoting Nelson Mandela, Meeks said, “Sport has the power to change the world. It has the power to inspire. It has the power to unite people in a way that little else does. It speaks to youth in a language they understand. Sport can create hope where once there was only despair.”
The sports industry should be regarded with the same significance as industries like healthcare or manufacturing, said Neil Bradley, executive vice president and chief policy officer at the Chamber.
“It’s time we think about the sports industry the way we think about construction and manufacturing and retail and healthcare,” Bradley said. “It's time we think about public policy and what it can do to allow this industry to grow, to thrive, contribute more to the American dream, and to the opportunity of millions of people and thousands of communities across the United States.”
Importance of Leadership and Teamwork
A conversation with Isiah Thomas, Chairman & CEO of ISIAH Enterprises and former Detroit Pistons point guard, revolved around the principles of leadership, teamwork, and sacrifice in sports and business. Thomas emphasizes the importance of discipline, trust, and mental toughness in building a successful team and business, using his experience on the Detroit Pistons as an example.
“We were the most disciplined team in basketball – that’s why we won championships,” he said.
From Athlete to Business Owner
In “From Play to Prosperity: Competing in the Business of Sports and Entertainment," speakers on a panel moderated by Aja Ellison, NBCU/ESPN Sports Analyst discussed how athletes transition their skills into the business world.
Josh Norman, NFL Player and Chairman & CEO of Arknet Global, shared his innovative coffee concept that blends café and restaurant experience. Jeron Smith, Co-Founder & Co-Chief Executive, HEIR, Inc. and Co-Founder, Incubation Lab & Unanimous Media with four-time NBA Champion Stephen Curry, highlighted the need for partnerships and scaling content across platforms.
The athletes each shared in one word what transferable skill they took from the sports world into the business world:
- Curiosity. – Baron Davis, two-time NBA All-Star; Founder & CEO, Business Inside the Game.
- Resilience. – Josh Norman.
- Time management. – CJ McCollum, NBA Player, Washington Wizards.
- Emotion. – Jeron Smith.
How Policy, Innovation, and IP Are Transforming Sports and Entertainment
The Chamber’s Wade said the business of sports and policy is evolving. “Policy decisions are shaping the rules of the game. Intellectual property rights aren’t just theoretical, they’re having real-world impacts on athletes, artists businesses, and society at large,” he said.
One session focused on the challenges and legislative efforts in the entertainment industry, with a focus on AI, digital privacy, and state inconsistencies.
Stan McCoy, General Counsel, Entertainment Software Association explained how video game companies are harnessing new technologies like artificial intelligence. “Microsoft has expanded the audience for that game by using AI to enable audio description and haptics so blind and visually impaired players can enjoy that game at the same level as fully sighted players,” McCoy said. “IP is the rocket fuel, and innovation is the engine.”
Karyn A. Temple, Senior Executive Vice President and Global General Counsel, Motion Picture Association, shared concerns about varying state AI standards.
“Inconsistency across states, it would create a very difficult and complex landscape from a creative industry standpoint,” Temple said. “We want to make sure that whatever standards are out there, they are clear and a consistent across the board.”
Temple also discussed how the movie industry has changed over the past decade.
“Livestreaming has opened a lot of opportunities for creators. You start on a TikTok and use that platform to later get a deal,” Temple said. “It’s exciting how technology and creativity are working together to bring more to consumers.”
Attendees at the "An Economic Engine: Sports, Entertainment, and Policy-Driven Growth" summit at the U.S. Chamber headquarters.
Isiah Thomas, Chairman & CEO of Isiah Enterprises, speaks during the "An Economic Engine: Sports, Entertainment & Policy-Driven Growth" summit.
Aline Varre, Founder, Capital Pulse (C) joins Bernard Lagat, five-time Olympian & Medalist (L) and Chinyere Hubbard, President and Chief Executive Officer, D.C. Chamber of Commerce at the summit.
Bishop Eric Davis, Founder & President of Legacy Films, Irly Bird Kids, and Compass Media and Animation Studios (L) and Ian Brock, Co-Founder, DREAM HUSTLE CODE and New Nerd (R), speak during the U.S. Chamber summit.
Paxton Baker, (L) Chairman of the Washington Nationals Founding Partners Group, speaks alongside Michael Winger, President, Monumental Basketball, Max Siegel, CEO, USA Track & Field, and Adrienne C. Williams, Esq., Chairwoman, Black Entertainment and Sports Lawyers Association at the U.S. Chamber.
Unveiling Africa's Sports and Entertainment Potential
Actor, producer, and investor Boris Kodjoe discussed shifting the narrative from charity and aid to investment and economic growth in Africa and the need to tell a new story about the continent's vibrant culture, innovation, and economic potential. He addressed how to develop and invest in the continent's creative industries such as film, sports, music, and fashion.
“Part of it is de-mystifying some of the things that investors think about when they talk about investing in Africa,” Kodjoe said. “Africa has the youngest population in the world, a thriving middle class, three of the fastest growing economies in the world, digital connectivity, and of course Africa has huge consumer spending.”
The Rise of Women in Sports
The summit explored the impact and rise of women's sports, revealing a sector experiencing unprecedented transformation, with investment, viewership, and sponsorship deals reaching historic highs. What was once dismissed as a niche market has emerged as a powerful economic engine, generating billions in revenue and creating entirely new ecosystems of opportunity.
During the panel on 'The Rise and Economic Impact of Women's Sports,' former WNBA player and 318 Foundation founder and president Alana Beard highlighted a pivotal shift in how female athletes are controlling their narratives. “Years prior, women relied on the leagues to tell their stories.” she said. “Women are now starting to tell their own stories, which is creating that interest from media and sponsorships.”
Jason Wright, former NFL player, President of the Washington Commanders, and Managing Partner & Head of Investments at Ariel Project Level, highlighted the significant economic and investment potential in women’s sports. He emphasized that women’s sports represent a rapidly growing sector, attracting new consumers and offering a faster trajectory for investors.
“We’re now accustomed to paying for high quality girls and women's competition. We are now in a new era, and we are not going back.” Wright said. “I think we will see a billion-dollar women’s franchise in the next five years.”
Wright shared that right now, 43% of high school athletes are girls. “[It’s] the closest it’s ever been to parity. That means we’re 20 years into real money going into youth girls’ sports,” he said.
Wright added that female athletes have two times the reach on social media platforms than male athletes.
Impact of Entertainment on Education
The economic power of entertainment extends well beyond ticket sales and streaming subscriptions. It inspires viewers to pursue higher education and enter new industries, serving as a catalyst for economic transformation.
Actor Darryl Bell spoke about the importance of representation in film and television, describing that since A Different World aired, “we have inspired another generation to go to college, to get an education, and to succeed,” Bell said. “Not a day goes by that someone doesn’t come up to me and say, ‘I went to school or I went to an HBCU,’ because I watched A Different World.”
Joining the Chamber in hosting the September 25 event were the Black Entertainment and Sports Lawyers Association, the Motion Picture Association, Recording Industry Association of America, Entertainment Software Association, and Distilled Spirits Council of the United States.
View the full summit agenda here.
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About the author
Jen Scungio
Jen Scungio is the Senior Director, Editorial and Digital Media at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.
