The Black Ownership in Sports Symposium is making a powerful comeback in Atlanta on March 22, 2025. This groundbreaking event, hosted at The Buckhead Club, will equip Black professionals with the tools, education, and access needed to break into sports ownership.
A Step-by-Step Guide to Sports Ownership
The symposium, organized by Diverse Representation, will provide attendees with a clear roadmap to owning stakes in professional sports teams. Founder and CEO Jaia Thomas created the event to close a major knowledge gap in the industry.
“There’s a lack of understanding when it comes to navigating ownership in sports,” Thomas said. “This event is designed to break down the process step-by-step.”
The 2025 edition will focus on long-term investment strategies, private funding models, and legal frameworks. Thomas hopes attendees will leave with a solid, actionable playbook for success.
Star-Studded Lineup of Speakers
The event will feature key industry leaders and minority owners from across professional sports. One of the most anticipated speakers is film director Will Packer, a minority owner of the Atlanta Falcons.
Packer, known for producing hits like Girls Trip, will discuss how Black ownership can expand beyond entertainment into major business leadership.
“It has never been more important for African Americans to participate at all levels of power within the biggest global industries,” Packer said. “I can’t wait to share insights at the Black Ownership in Sports Symposium.”
The Fight for Greater Black Ownership
Despite Black athletes dominating many major sports leagues, ownership and executive leadership remain overwhelmingly white and male. The symposium seeks to change that by giving Black professionals the tools to take a seat at the table.
Tennis legend Serena Williams recently became a minority owner of the Toronto Tempo, a new WNBA franchise. Her investment highlights the increasing push for Black ownership in sports.
Meanwhile, Michael Jordan’s sale of his majority stake in the Charlotte Hornets in 2023 marked the end of Black majority ownership in U.S. professional sports. His initial $275 million investment turned into a $3 billion sale, proving the profitability of sports ownership.
A Unique Opportunity for Future Owners
Attendees of the Black Ownership in Sports Symposium will gain direct insights from current owners through fireside chats and expert panels. The event promises to be a game-changer for those looking to break into the industry.
For Black professionals serious about sports ownership, this symposium is an unmissable chance to gain the knowledge and connections needed to succeed.
