The Black Ownership in Sports Symposium is returning to Atlanta on March 22, 2025, at The Buckhead Club. This vital event aims to provide Black professionals with the knowledge and resources needed to pursue ownership stakes in professional sports teams. Organized by Diverse Representation, the symposium comes at a critical time when Black ownership in major sports leagues remains significantly underrepresented.
Film director and Atlanta Falcons minority owner Will Packer will headline the speaker lineup. The event promises to deliver actionable strategies for attendees serious about breaking into sports ownership circles. Moreover, the symposium will address the stark reality that despite the high percentage of Black athletes in professional sports, ownership remains predominantly white.
Sports Ownership Education Tackles Industry Knowledge Gap
Jaia Thomas, founder and CEO of Diverse Representation, created the symposium specifically to address the information barriers in sports ownership. “There’s a lack of understanding when it comes to navigating ownership in sports,” Thomas explained. “This event is designed to break down the process step-by-step.”
The symposium focuses on practical knowledge transfer rather than theoretical discussions. Attendees will learn about financing options, relationship building, and deal structuring. Thomas emphasized that participants will leave with “a clear, actionable playbook” for pursuing ownership opportunities.
Black Leaders in Sports Business Share Investment Strategies
This year’s program will concentrate on long-term investment approaches, private funding models, and legal frameworks. These topics directly address the most common barriers facing potential Black owners in the sports industry.
“We’re seeing more Black faces in ownership conversations than ever before, but there’s still work to be done,” Thomas noted. The symposium aims to accelerate this progress by providing concrete tools and strategies. Through fireside chats and panel discussions, current minority owners will share their personal journeys and lessons learned.
Minority Ownership Opportunities Expand for Black Professionals
Will Packer, known for producing hit films like Girls Trip, will share insights from his experience as a minority owner of the NFL’s Atlanta Falcons. His participation highlights the growing crossover between entertainment success and sports business opportunities.
“It has never been more important for African Americans to participate at all levels of power within the biggest global industries,” Packer stated. His involvement demonstrates how business leaders from various backgrounds can transition into sports ownership roles. This diversification of entry points creates more pathways for aspiring Black owners.
Professional Sports Leagues Face Ongoing Diversity Challenges
The push for greater Black ownership comes amid troubling statistics about representation. Major American sports leagues feature predominantly Black athletes but ownership remains overwhelmingly white and male.
Tennis legend Serena Williams recently joined the ownership group of the Toronto Tempo, a new WNBA franchise. Her move represents a positive step toward greater diversity in ownership circles. However, these examples remain exceptions rather than the norm across professional sports.
Black Sports Team Ownership Faces Setbacks and Opportunities
Michael Jordan, once the only Black majority owner in major U.S. professional sports, sold his controlling stake in the Charlotte Hornets in 2023. Though he netted a substantial profit, turning his $275 million investment into part of a $3 billion sale, his exit marks the end of Black majority ownership in major U.S. leagues.
Jordan continues to hold a minority share in the Hornets. Yet his sale highlights the ongoing challenges in maintaining and expanding Black ownership presence. The symposium addresses this reality by equipping the next generation of potential owners with essential knowledge and connections.
