Vision, Velocity, Victory: The Sports Investment Playbook | Middle East & Africa Summit 2025

Find all Middle East and Africa Summit 2025 sessions here: https://milkeninstitute.org/events/mi...

Around the world, sports investment is accelerating at an unprecedented pace. From acquiring iconic clubs and expanding women’s leagues to building world-class infrastructure and unlocking new fan markets, investors and governments alike are turning to sports as a platform for economic diversification, innovation, and global influence. This session brings together leading voices shaping the future of global sports investment to explore how strategic ownership models, cross-border partnerships, and technology are redefining what it means to invest in sport today. From club ownership to community building, and from data-driven decision-making to global fan engagement, this conversation unpacks the strategies—and the purpose—behind the next generation of sports investment.

Dhani Jones
Chairman, QEY Capital; Former NFL Athlete

Ben Harburg
Managing Partner, Novo Capital

Jamie Salter
Founder, Chairman, and CEO, Authentic Brands Group
As Founder, Chairman and CEO of Authentic, Jamie Salter leveraged his business acumen to write and implement a strategic licensing playbook that connects super brands with best-in-class partners to build long-term value in the marketplace.

The innovative business model has allowed Authentic to scale rapidly into a multifaceted lifestyle, sports, entertainment and digital platform comprising some of the most iconic and world-renowned brands, such as Reebok, Shaquille O’Neal, David Beckham, Sports Illustrated, Brooks Brothers and more. Today, its portfolio generates more than $32 billion in global annual retail sales.

With over three decades of success in making strategic and profitable investments in consumer brand-related activities, Salter has executed more than $35 billion in investment deals targeting growth companies and turnarounds.

He began his career in action sports, selling sporting goods before acquiring Kemper Snowboards in the late ‘80s. He cofounded Ride Inc. in 1992 and grew it into the second largest snowboard distributor in the world, taking the company public just two years later. Salter subsequently cofounded Hilco Consumer Capital, a premier financial service holding company, where he led multiple acquisitions of top-grossing brands. He was similarly engaged in the industry as President of GSI Commerce before founding Authentic in 2010.

Danny Townsend
CEO, SURJ Sports Investments

Susie Wolff
Entrepreneur; Managing Director, F1 Academy
Susie Wolff MBE is the Managing Director of F1 Academy and a pioneering leader with a history of delivering success at the highest level.Born in Oban, Scotland, in 1982, Susie’s path began on a karting track and accelerated rapidly: by 13 she was British Kart Racing Driver of the Year, later ranked the top female kart driver in the world. In 2001, Susie embarked on her professional racing career in the Formula Renault UK Championship, where she secured three podiums and was twice nominated for the British Young Driver of the Year Award. Following a brief spell in Formula 3, she made her name with Mercedes-Benz in the DTM – the German Touring Car Championship – between 2006 and 2012. In 2012, Susie ascended to the pinnacle of motorsport in Formula One, joining multiple championship winners Williams Racing. Susie went on to make history at the 2014 British Grand Prix by becoming the first woman in 22 years to take part in a Formula 1 race weekend.

After stepping away from racing, Susie pivoted to the business side of motorsport, becoming a shareholder and Team Principal of Venturi Racing in the emerging all-electric Formula E championship. Over four seasons, she led the team from the back of the grid to the front. In her final season before overseeing a successful sale of the team, Venturi finished as Vice-World Champions. Susie is an accomplished advocate for female excellence. In 2023, Susie was appointed Managing Director of F1 Academy.

This year Susie published her memoir, Driven, which instantly became a Sunday Times Bestseller.