As we all know, the FIFA scandals have placed soccer’s world governing body in limbo until February. There will be no definitive deals for international TV rights or FIFA sponsors until then. How has this scandal impacted each level of soccer in the US from youth soccer, to professional leagues and international competitions? How are sponsors, networks, event promoters and agencies preparing for a “post-scandal” soccer business? This panel will share lessons we can all take away from the FIFA scandal and how to apply them towards generating a positive recovery in 2016.

In 2015, more household name international stars than ever crossed the Atlantic to join MLS, including: Kaka, Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard, David Villa, Andrea Pirlo, Didier Drogba and Sebastian Giovinco. Of course, most of these players are in the twilight of their careers. Do sponsors care if MLS is a retirement home for international stars as long as they put butts in seats? In what ways have they broadened the league’s visibility, both at home and abroad? More broadly, in what specific ways has MLS sponsorship evolved in the last 12 months? Is the league, its teams, or the media offering new sponsorship opportunities? What are the key differences between national, regional and local opportunities in different markets?

In his keynote address, Nicolas Jungkind will discuss SAP’s soccer strategy and how the global software giant becomes part of its partners' DNA. SAP not only helps its club partners run better organizationally, but also athletically by using analytics and big data tools to enhance player and team performance. Nicolas will talk specifically about SAP’s World Cup journey with the German national team and the newest addition to SAP’s portfolio, City Football Group– a true global asset with an important component located in New York City.

Earlier this year, USA international Stuart Holden joined former teammates Landon Donovan and Brian Ching to form Helm Soccer, a new youth soccer training movement that balances the tactical side of soccer with mental and physical health, injury prevention and general well-being. In this keynote Q&A, the former Houston Dynamo and Bolton Wanderers midfielder will discuss, among other things, his distinguished career as a player, the road to injury recovery, and how brands can play a part in developing soccer in America by targeting the youth market.

Spanish-language soccer coverage in the U.S. is absolutely soaring: two new sports channels have entered the market in NBC Universo and Univision Deportes, joining the likes of ESPN Deportes, Fox Deportes, Univision, Univision UniMás, Telemundo and beIN Sports Espanol in offering soccer programming to Spanish-language TV viewers. Not only can you find MLS, Liga MX and South American first division games on these networks, but several have expanded their coverage to include English Premier League, Spanish La Liga and German Bundesliga games, as well. From a sponsorship perspective, the expansion of coverage is great, but it also represents a huge diversification challenge for an already diverse market. How should sponsors approach the Spanish-language soccer market? What demos should they be focusing on and who can help them reach their targets?

Fernando Fiore is a three-time Emmy Award winner and one of the most recognized perosnalities on Hispanic television. He was host of Univision's “República Deportiva" for 15 years. He made his English-language debut in October as an analyst on Fox Sports’ coverage of the Concacaf Cup. He will talk about the changes in the Hispanic market and the diversification of interests in the audience, especially among younger Hispanic viewers.

The 2015 Women’s World Cup final between the USA and Japan comfortably topped the NBA finals and the NHL’s Stanley Cup finals with its 15.2 overnight rating (reaching an estimated 23 million viewers) en route to becoming the most-watched event in U.S. soccer history. Yet, despite seeing its best players reaching the pinnacle of the women’s game, the National Women’s Soccer League continues to struggle in for sponsorship dollars and media deals. What does it mean to sponsor women’s soccer in 2015? Is it possible to grow your brand by supporting the USWMNT or the NWSL, or is teaming with specific, recognizable stars the best way to connect with your targets? And, speaking of targets, are the demographics for the women’s game in the U.S. as similarly diversified as the men’s game? What are the key differences that brands need to understand?

New media platforms are all around us. Maybe you don’t use Vine or Meerkat or Periscope, but your kids probably do. What effect are these bright, shiny new objects having on the growth of soccer in the U.S.? How is soccer as an entertainment medium taking advantage of new media platforms and using them as marketing tools to engage with their core audiences as well as introduce them to new ones? How can soccer leagues, teams, players and sponsors further their brands by engaging influencers over these new platforms?