SBJ Unpacks: The state of AI in the sports industry - Sports Business Journal

10.01.2026Members of the Game Changers Class of 2026 celebrate in New York City on Wednesday night. Marc Bryan-Brown A packed ballroom of friends, family and colleagues celebrated this year’s class of SBJ Game Changers: Women in Sports Business with cheers, tears and hugs on Wednesday night at the Marriott Marquis in N. Y. It was the largest class of honorees to attend the awards ceremony, with 55 of the 60 class members in attendance, including seven of the 10 Game Changers from outside North America. Winning the unofficial honor of traveling the farthest was Stephanie Rudnick of Angel City FC, MKTG Sports + Entertainment and The Yellow Brick Collective, who made the trek from Sydney. And two Game Changers -- LaRhonda Burley of Spartan Ventures at Michigan State and Emily Dillinger of Good Karma Sports -- celebrated their birthdays at the event. Welcoming the guests, SBJ Publisher and Executive Editor Abe Madkour noted that Game Changers are leaders of organizations of all sizes from across the sports industry. “They’re relentless. They are change agents. I would consider them fearless, optimists, mentors. They’re definitely role models,” he said.

Star goalie moved on day Winnipeg suspension comes to end Connor Hellebuyck was traded to the New Jersey Devils by the Winnipeg Jets on Friday, ending the star goalie's stay in Manitoba, one that featured greatness during his 11 seasons, but ended with him suspended by the team after he requested a trade and failed to report for training camp.

Ryder Cup legend Ian Poulter has become the latest star name to confirm he is quitting LIV Golf - leaving the breakaway tour's future looking increasingly uncertain. The 50-year-old Englishman was among a plethora of stars lured by LIV when the Saudi Arabia-backed project was launched in 2022 and was a staunch defender of the circuit when it was criticised. But Poulter has followed the likes of major champions Jon Rahm and Louis Oosthuizen in announcing his departure. He has said he wants to help his two sons, Luke and Joshua, pursue professional careers, as well as develop his YouTube channel. Saudi's Public Investment Fund withdrew its backing from LIV in April - having pumped in more than $5bn (£3.8bn) - leading to the league filing for bankruptcy protection in the United States last month. It has secured a possible $300m (£224m) in financing from BC Partners Credit to try to move forward with 'LIV 2.0', but only a handful of players have so far committed to the proposed competition in 2027. "I wanted everyone to hear it direct from me that I have decided to not move forward with being part of LIV 2.0," Poulter wrote on his social media channels.