ORANGE COUNTY, CA – Aug 13, 2026 – The Orange County Sports Commission today announced the inaugural OC Sports Summit 2026, Presented by PNC Bank, Orange County has become a major center of the sports industry, and for the first time its leaders will have an annual forum designed specifically to bring that ecosystem together.
Taking place Thursday, October 15, 2026, at Concordia University Irvine, the Summit will convene Orange County sports executives, teams, leagues, governing bodies, corporate and civic leaders, universities and emerging professionals for a full day of industry insights, networking, professional development and community impact.
The Summit will feature a speaker lineup of prominent sports industry leaders, including:
- Jeff Moorad – Co-Founder and CEO, MSP Sports Capital
- Aaron Teats – President, Anaheim Ducks
- Brian Murphy – Founder & CEO, Athletes First
- Alex Bhathal & Lisa Bhathal Merage –Co-Founders, RAJ Sports
- Ed Foster-Simeon – President, U.S. Soccer Foundation
Additional speakers and participants will be announced in the coming weeks.
“Orange County has established itself as a powerful force in the sports industry, with an extraordinary concentration of teams, athletes, executives, organizations, venues and sports businesses. Yet we have never had one place that brings that entire community together. The OC Sports Summit presented by PNC Bank is designed to change that — creating a forum for leaders across our county to connect, exchange ideas and help shape the future of sports in Orange County and beyond.”
“Concordia University Irvine is proud to host the inaugural OC Sports Summit,” said Edward Willett, director of the Sports Business program at Concordia University Irvine. “Since 2025, Concordia has served as the Founding Education Partner of OCVIBE and an Official Education Partner of the Anaheim Ducks and Honda Center, building the kind of hands-on, industry-connected education that has become a hallmark of our Sports Business programs. Welcoming this event to our campus is a natural extension of that partnership, bringing together the leaders shaping the industry today with the sports business leaders we are preparing for tomorrow.”
Centered on the theme “Where Business, Leadership & Community Unite Through Sport,” the Summit will feature a morning program of keynote presentations and executive conversations, followed by three afternoon forums focused on sports business, career development, and global sports and major events.
Topics will include the economic impact of hosting major sporting events, building successful sports organizations, careers in the sports industry and the opportunities surrounding the LA28 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
The event will also feature OC Sports Gives Back, a community-impact initiative that will include a youth sports clinic in partnership with the LA Sparks, highlighting the role sport can play in developing confidence, leadership, health and stronger communities.
The event is expected to attract more than 200 attendees from throughout the sports, business and civic communities.
Registration is now open, with Executive, Professional and Student ticket options available. Early-bird pricing is available for a limited time at:
Media Contact:
Ann Ashmon | Associate Vice President of Strategic Communications | (949) 214-3152 | [email protected]
About the Orange County Sports Commission
The Orange County Sports Commission (OCSC) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to attracting, supporting and promoting sports events that drive economic, social and cultural impact throughout Orange County, California. OCSC works in partnership with County of Orange, local cities, venues, rights holders and sports organizations to position Orange County as a premier destination for youth, amateur, collegiate and professional sporting events.
About Concordia University Irvine
Concordia University Irvine, a private, non-profit, Lutheran Christian university, is proud to be one of the founding institutions of higher education in Irvine, CA. For 50 years, we have prepared “wise, honorable, and cultivated citizens to serve society and the church.” Today, we educate approximately 5,000 students annually as a comprehensive university, offering more than 60 degrees and awarding bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees through our on-campus and online programs, and our alumni network has grown to over 30,000 worldwide. Concordia was the first NCAA Division II school in Orange County. Since 2025, Concordia has been named the Founding Education Partner of OCVIBE, and an Official Education Partner of the Anaheim Ducks and Honda Center.