Leading Sports Leagues Collective Commitment To Beyond Sport United 2015

LEADING SPORTS LEAGUES COLLECTIVE COMMITMENT TO BEYOND SPORT UNITED 2015

Leading sports leagues MLB, MLS, NBA, NFL, NHL & WNBA have reaffirmed their collective commitment to better understand how sports teams and leagues can have a tangible impact on the communities and individuals they serve at the highly – anticipated  Beyond Sport United on July 22^nd 2015.  

The groundbreaking event will bring together sport teams, leagues and their partners together from around the world to discuss how they can drive positive social change both in their communities and on a global scale.Following on from last year's focus on engaging young people through digital and social platforms, this year's event will take a deeper look into “The Power of the Athlete”.  Every year, Beyond Sport United looks at a key theme within the world of professional sport that is timely and relevant.

Speaking ahead this year’s event, Nick Keller, Founder of Beyond Sport, commented: “Sports stars and professional athletes hold incredible power. They can inspire, they can lead, they can motivate and their actions can have a resounding impact. They have a unique role both locally and globally that has been amplified tenfold by new media and digital communications.

“The discussion of how to utilise this power has never been so timely. Of late, teams and leagues reputations have been tarnished by the actions of a small minority. The power of the athlete can be harnessed to create a lasting positive effect on individuals and communities around the world.”

In its fifth edition, Beyond Sport United will be hosted for the first time at The Prudential Center, home to the NHL franchise, the New Jersey Devils.

CEO of the Philadelphia 76ers, New Jersey Devils and Prudential Center, Scott O’Neil commented "We have an obligation in this business to leverage the power of sport to transform the communities in which we live, work and play. Beyond Sport United has successfully elevated the conversation around social responsibility and we are honored to host this year’s event in New Jersey.”

Through a mix of interactive story-telling, panels, case-studies, and practical sessions, delegates will have the opportunity to hear insight and share opinions about the role of athletes and how they can help influence, benefit and play a part in teams’ and leagues’ wider efforts.

In addition to teams and leagues from the major US leagues, clubs, governing bodies, rights holders, brands and NGOs from all corners of the globe have previously convened at Beyond Sport United, including: Barclays Premier League giants Liverpool FC and Manchester City FC, Australian Football League, South Africa’s PSL, the Israeli Premier League and Premiership Rugby, all of whom have joined commissioners, team owners, and presidents of franchises and key figures from the sports and business world.

Previous speakers at Beyond Sport United include NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman; NASCAR CEO and Chairman Brian France; MLS Commissioner Don Garber; NBA Commissioner Emeritus David Stern; Scott O’Neil, CEO of the Philadelphia 76ers and New Jersey Devils, Harvard Business School Professor Michael Porter, and Alastair Campbell, the political strategist and communications expert who masterminded three successful election campaigns for former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, amongst many more.