Unlocking Investment Opportunities in the Business of Sport: The Second Half
Thanks to popular demand, we are delighted to announce the second edition of Unlocking Investment Opportunities in the Business of Sport: The Second Half, co-hosted by CognitiveCreators and Mara.
Inspired by the momentum and renewed energy of a football match’s second half, this edition carries the dialogue forward with deeper insights, fresh perspectives, and new opportunities.
Bringing together leading voices from the sports industry, this exclusive, invite-only session is tailored for investors and executives and will explore the growing investment potential within the Business of Sport.
Meet the panellists
Samir Ceric is an investor, entrepreneur, and senior executive recognised for pioneering the digitalisation of the sports industry. A former elite athlete and football club chairman, he has championed innovations in fan engagement, sustainability, MedTech, and AI in sport. He recently launched a global sports investment platform and is Chairman of Ceric & Co, a 7th-generation family office built on values of trust, creativity, and principled leadership.
Sasha Ryazantsev is the CFO Advisor at ALK Capital, the owners of Burnley FC and RCD Espanyol, where he oversees the Group’s financial operations. He has played a key part in major refinancing and fund-raising activities of the group, as well as the closing of the RCD Espanyol acquisition. Sasha joined ALK in 2023 after five years on the Board of Everton FC in charge of strategy, financing, commercial growth and the design and construction of the new stadium.
Mark Blundell is a Former F1 Driver, entrepreneur, investor, CEO and Founder of MBP, honouring his expertise for more than three decades in the upper echelons of elite global sport. Mark competed at the very top of world motorsport, including Formula One, IndyCar and World Rally. Across the last fifteen years, Mark has established himself as one of Europe's most respected motorsport managers as CEO of the leading sports management and marketing group, MBP.
Moderated by Laszlo Alpar Lukacs, a former investment banker turned investor and entrepreneur in the digital sector. Over the past decade, the companies he co-founded delivered value in more than 20 countries. Together with his team, he created Digital Due Diligence, the framework used by investors and executives to quantify the financial value of an organization's digital assets, technology, and brand.
Join our panel of investors, dealmakers and sports industry experts as they explore:
The state of sports investments in 2026
Infrastructure and real estate - the new backbone of sports investment
Multi Club and Multi Sport Ownership - the platform play of sports investment
New sports, new leagues, new geographies: the next wave of growth?
Digital Due Diligence - how technology is enabling transparent evaluation of the investment opportunities
SPVs in sport investments - allowing more investors to be part of the game
Agenda
17:30 - 18:15 | Guests Arrive & Refreshments
18:15 - 18:30 | Welcome & Host Keynote
18:30 - 19:45 | Panel discussion
19:45 - 20:00 | Open floor Q&A
20:00 - 21:00 | Networking, drinks and bites
21:00 - onwards | Discussions continue at a nearby venue
Note: This is a private, invite-only event, and requires being on the guest list to attend.