SSAC in Pictures

This post is part of my ongoing coverage of the Sloan Sports Analytics Conference for Howler Magazine.

The following is a compilation of pictures that I took while at the conference.  I didn't bring my wife's SLR as I didn't have the time to be properly trained in its operation, so all of these pictures are my iPhone's finest work.

A fine little sports bar located right across the street from the conference and owned by the bassist of the Dropkick Murphys. I ate dinner there every night as it facilitated many good conversations, including a great dinner picking Alexi Lalas' brain.

Please allow me this little kid moment - my first set of media credentials.

Welcome indeed!

The "Franchises in Transition" panel at the conclusion of their hour long discussion.  See my recap from Day Two regarding the discussion on this panel.  From left to right: Drew Carey, co-owner of Seattle Sounders FC; Rita Benson LeBlanc, owner of the New Orleans Saints; George Postolos, CEO of the Houston Astros, Tony Riali, moderator and hos of Around the Horn; Daryl Morey, GM of the Houston Rockets; and Parag Marathe, COO of the San Francisco 49ers.

The "Business of Sports: Winning off the Field" panel at the conclusion of their hour long discussion.  See my recap from Day One regarding the discussion on this panel.  From Left to right: Scott O'Neil, President of Madison Square Garden Sports; Steve Pagliuca, co-owner of the Boston Celtics; Jeanie Buss, Vice President of Business Operations for the Los Angeles Lakers; moderator Jessica Gelman; David Gill, Manchester United CEO; and Neil glat, Senior VP Corporate Development for the NFL.

I guess I should have been a little closer when taking this picture of the soccer analytics panel.  It's blurry enough to not even try and identify who is in each seat.  You can see a recap of the panel in my Day Two review.

Mark Cuban posing for a picture with the SSAC staff at the end of the conference.

A picture with Alexi Lalas after our half hour interview.

I always wanted a silhouette picture with Drew Carey!



Turns out I am horrible at self portraits, but I had to capture a picture with Mark Cuban. It was great to see him be himself for an hour long interview with Bill Simmons. You can find my recap of said interview at the end of my Day Two recap.



Everyone who attended the conference got a copy of Grantland Quarterly, Volume 1.  I needed a gift for my wife, and she's a huge Bill Simmons fan.  The book was free, and getting it personalized and signed by Bill Simmons was free.  My wife loves it, and all of this really means I have a cool wife who loves sports as much as I do.

That's it for the pictures.  I will do one more post on SSAC, which will be my half hour interview with Alexi Lalas.  It likely won't come until the weekend or next Monday given the time required to transcribe it and my limited free time between now and then.