Sports + Entertainment Most Influential honors industry leaders who use their influence to drive business and community excellence by advancing local and domestic content within the sports and entertainment sectors. These organizations are dedicated to creating pathways for small businesses, job creation, and community benefit investments. Powered by public nominee voting and advanced analytics from Local Content Insights—leveraging social media, press activity, and digital/online behavior to measure public sentiment influence—this program recognizes the organizations and market segments leading the charge in local content transformation within the industry. These are the organizations trusted to work with to advance the public-private ecosystem of sports and entertainment.

Powered by public nominee voting and advanced analytics from Local Content Insights—leveraging social media, press activity, and digital/online behavior to measure public sentiment influence—this program recognizes the organizations and market segments leading the charge in local content transformation within the industry. These are the organizations trusted to work with to advance the public-private ecosystem of sports and entertainment.

Honoring sports and entertainment economic development drivers that reflect the highest public sentiment, including positive taxpayer opinions, attitudes, and perceptions

A sports and entertainment district is a vibrant area combining sports venues, entertainment, dining, retail, and commercial spaces to drive growth, community engagement, and tourism.

Stadium/arena is a large venue for sports, concerts, and events, offering seating, concessions, and amenities for variety of audiences.

Naming rights and sponsorships involve companies paying to brand or sponsor venues, events, or teams for visibility and marketing in exchange for financial support.

Negotiations where broadcasters or streaming platforms pay for exclusive rights to broadcast sports events, leagues, or teams, generating significant revenue for stakeholders.

Premium experiences include exclusive offerings like luxury suites, VIP seating, and personalized services, enhancing fan engagement and driving additional revenue. .

Honoring businesses within the sports and entertainment industry supply chain that reflect the highest public sentiment, including positive taxpayer opinions, attitudes, and perceptions.

Planning and building sports arenas and entertainment spaces tailored to enhance fan experience and operational efficiency.

Creating mixed-use areas combining sports, retail, dining, and entertainment hubs to drive economic and community engagement.

Providing legal counsel on contracts, intellectual property, compliance, liability, and disputes for athletes, teams, venues, and businesses.

Providing wealth management, investments, and insurance solutions for athletes, teams, and businesses to protect assets and mitigate risks.

Coordinating sports and entertainment events, including scheduling, vendor management, and crowd control, for seamless execution.

Overseeing daily operations of venues, including staffing, maintenance, and scheduling, ensuring efficiency and profitability.

Training and nurturing athletes and entertainers, providing coaching, resources, and opportunities for skill advancement and career growth.

Developing and managing relationships with brands for event sponsorships, endorsements, and strategic collaborations.

Creating and distributing sports and entertainment content through television, streaming platforms, and social media channels.

Designing advanced ticketing systems and enhancing fan engagement through interactive platforms and personalized experiences.

Managing retail and food services within venues, optimizing sales and ensuring quality for fans and attendees.

Ensuring facilities operate efficiently through regular maintenance, upgrades, and adherence to sustainability practices.

Honoring educational institutions and community-based organizations advancing local and domestic content within the sports and entertainment industry, reflecting the highest public sentiment, including positive taxpayer opinions, attitudes, and perceptions of their efforts.

Department focused on enhancing students' careers and quality of life within sports and/or entertainment.

Department focused on enhancing students' careers and quality of life within sports and/or entertainment.

An organization focused on enhancing students' careers and quality of life within sports and/or entertainment.

Early Period: Jan. 1 – Feb. 28, 2025 | $75 per entry

General Period: Mar. 1 – Jul. 31, 2025 | $125 per entry

Late Period: Aug. 1 – Aug. 31, 2025 | $175 entry

Sep. 8 – Oct. 30, 2025

Week of Jan. 5 - 9, 2026