

Partnerships in 2026: New Dealflow, Categories, and Playbooks in Sports, Media & Entertainment
A virtual conversation for partnerships leaders thinking ahead about how priorities, dealflow, and collaboration may evolve in 2026.
Overview:
As partnerships teams plan for 2026, many are navigating shifting categories, changing expectations, and fewer obvious playbooks in sports, media & entertainment.
This session is designed to create a space to step back, exchange perspectives, and talk through what leaders are paying attention to as the landscape continues to evolve.
What to expect:
A discussion around how partnerships are evolving across sports, media, and entertainment in 2026 and beyond
A brief overview of Arena’s Partnerships Cohort, including how it works and the application process
Speakers:
Brynn Sussman, Director of Entertainment Partnerships (Celebrity & Music) at NHL
Sean Bulvanoski, Sr. Partnerships Leader in Sports Media
Adriene Bueno, Co-Founder & Chief Growth Officer at Arena - Past experience at NBA, EA, and LinkedIn
This session will be most relevant for:
Partnerships, sponsorships, business development, or revenue professionals working in sports, media, or entertainment
Industry leaders and decision-makers
Professionals thinking ahead about strategy, not just current execution
About Arena
Arena is a networking platform for professionals in sports, media, and entertainment. Every week, members receive curated introductions that turn into 1:1 meetings, collaborations, and new opportunities. We also host exclusive events and share insights to help professionals grow their networks and advance their careers.
This is a public virtual event hosted by Arena.
Register to attend - limited spot available.