Mike Boylan

Chipotle CMO Chris Brandt said that as part of the brand’s push in recent years to become “more visible, more relevant and more loved,” it went through a change in strategy that included getting into sports. Brandtt spoke today at SBJ's Brand Innovation Summit in Chicago.

Fanatics Chief Strategy & Growth Officer Tucker Kain said the company’s growth into a ”broad platform” beyond the commerce business it has long been known for was a “decade in the making.” Along with the commerce business, Fanatics has three newer business lines: trading cards, NFTs and sports betting. Speaking today at SBJ's Dealmakers In Sports conference, Kain said Fanatics is “focused on making sure we continue to enter those new businesses in the right way.” He described both the trading card and sports betting business as an “organic build,” while noting Fanatics’ NFT business Candy Digital is “off to an amazing start.” Kain said there are “others things on the roadmap” that Fanatics may look to get involved in. Ticketing and media were mentioned, but Kain said the company is “not active” in but just “learning” about those spaces.

Candy Digital CMO Andre Llewellyn said being a relatively new company in a young industry, “by definition, we’re innovating.”

Groups move to second round in bid for Suns...XFL reveals Under Armour uniforms for 2023 season.

Super Bowl LVIII on Sunday will see 12 newcomers to the ad game.

SBJ Power Up: SportAI lands major commercial contract

SBJ Power Up: NBA Africa accelerator unveils startup winners

Super Bowl LIX sees another round of brand looking to stand out with advertisements, with at least 16 new brands jumping in with spots.

Meta Reality Labs COO Dan Reed at SBJ Tech Week in N.Y. talked about the technologies being developed by the company and how they can change how fans experience sports.

SoFi CMO Lauren Stafford Webb and Aflac SVP & CMO Garth Knutson spoke at the CAA World Congress of Sports on their companies' approaches to sports marketing.