Sloan Sports Analytics Conference celebrates 20 years

Co-founder Jessica Gelman reflects on the growth and impact of the influential sports data event

Published on Mar. 4, 2026

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Twenty years ago, Jessica Gelman and Daryl Morey founded the Sloan Sports Analytics Conference, a pioneering event that has become a leading forum for discussing the intersection of sports and data. As the conference celebrates its 20th anniversary, Gelman, now CEO of Kraft Analytics Group, looks back on the conference's evolution and shares her thoughts on key moments and themes that have defined the event over the past two decades.

Why it matters

The Sloan Sports Analytics Conference has played a pivotal role in shaping the sports industry's embrace of data and analytics, serving as a platform for innovative ideas, research, and networking. As data and technology have become increasingly central to sports, the conference has grown to reflect these trends, attracting thousands of attendees and featuring high-profile speakers and panels that explore the wide-ranging impact of analytics on the industry.

The details

Gelman and Morey, who were rising sports executives in the Boston area, founded the conference in 2006 with the goal of bringing together like-minded individuals to discuss the use of data and analytics in sports. Initially held at MIT's Sloan School of Management, the conference has since expanded, with attendance surging into the thousands and the agenda covering a diverse range of sports business topics beyond just analytics. The conference has also served as a launching pad for new ideas and companies, with some winning competitions going on to found successful startups.

  • The first Sloan Sports Analytics Conference was held in 2006.
  • Gelman has served as CEO of Kraft Analytics Group for the past 10 years.
  • In 2018, President Obama joined the conference as a guest speaker, marking a significant milestone.

The players

Jessica Gelman

The co-founder of the Sloan Sports Analytics Conference and CEO of Kraft Analytics Group.

Daryl Morey

The other co-founder of the Sloan Sports Analytics Conference, who was with the Boston Celtics at the time.

Mike O'Connell

The current student lead for the 2026 Sloan Sports Analytics Conference.

Patrick Scheri

The current student lead for the 2026 Sloan Sports Analytics Conference.

John Hollinger

A colleague of the author who is featured in a panel at the 2026 conference.

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What they’re saying

“We never could have envisioned what SSAC has become. The real question is, 'Why has it become so impactful?' — and I have three thoughts on that.”

— Jessica Gelman, Co-founder, Sloan Sports Analytics Conference (nytimes.com)

“When President Obama joined us in 2018. It was a seminal event because we started tackling concepts beyond just sports to society. What I love most is that Daryl and I did the interview together, so we got to share in the joy after when it went so well.”

— Jessica Gelman, Co-founder, Sloan Sports Analytics Conference (nytimes.com)

“'Talk Data to Me' is the ethos of the conference, and what that means has changed over time.”

— Jessica Gelman, Co-founder, Sloan Sports Analytics Conference (nytimes.com)

What’s next

The 2026 Sloan Sports Analytics Conference will feature a closing panel discussion with co-founders Jessica Gelman and Daryl Morey, along with Nate Silver and Boston Celtics executive Mike Zarren, to celebrate the conference's 20-year history.

The takeaway

The Sloan Sports Analytics Conference has evolved from a niche event to a leading industry forum, reflecting the growing importance of data and analytics in sports. Under the leadership of co-founders Jessica Gelman and Daryl Morey, the conference has become a hub for innovation, education, and networking, shaping the sports industry's embrace of data-driven decision-making.