NBA Con

The Opportunity

After the launch of WNBA Live, we had an opportunity to work on something significantly bigger: the first convention created specifically for the NBA and its fans.

The idea was ambitious. Bring the world of basketball together under one roof through players, brands, entertainment, collectibles, fashion, gaming, technology, and culture. For someone who had spent much of his career building experiences at the intersection of business and culture, it was hard not to be excited about what it could become.

But this wasn't simply an event to produce. We had to develop the business alongside the experience, working through a complex partnership with one of the most recognizable sports organizations in the world.

What We Built

NBA Con was developed from the ground up in partnership with the NBA, with our team responsible for turning the original vision into an operating business and live experience.

My role touched virtually every part of the project: business planning, financial modeling, contract negotiations, partnerships, programming, experience development, commercialization, and production. We once again partnered with Freeman, while working closely with teams across the NBA and Emerald.

After months of negotiations, we ultimately had only a matter of weeks to bring the event to life. At the same time, we were developing a major partnership with Amazon Music around the concert and merchandise experience.

NBA Con debuted in Las Vegas in 2023, bringing together fans, players, brands, exhibitors, creators, and some of the biggest names in basketball and culture.

The Legacy

The NBA continues to create large-scale fan experiences around All-Star Weekend through NBA Crossover. I'm proud of what we built with NBA Con and equally grateful for what the experience taught me about partnerships, economics, and the importance of getting the business model right.