How AI & Tech are Changing the Game: A Discussion with Sports Leaders

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Join us for a fascinating exploration of how Artificial Intelligence (AI) and technology in general is transforming the world of sports.

This panel discussion features leading figures from the San Francisco 49ers, the San Francisco Giants, Bay FC and more who will share their unique insights on how AI is impacting everything from fan experience and player performance to game strategy and statistical analysis.

Here are some of the key areas we'll explore:

• Enhanced Fan Engagement: How AI is being used to personalize the fan experience, from tailored content and recommendations to interactive features and virtual reality experiences.
• Next-Level Game Strategy: Uncover how AI is assisting coaches in crafting winning plays, predicting opponent moves, and making real-time adjustments on the field.
• The Power of AI-Driven Stats: Learn how advanced analytics powered by AI are providing deeper insights into games, player performance, and team strategies.
• The Future of Sports: Get a glimpse into what's next for AI in sports, and how it will continue to revolutionize the way we play, watch, and analyze the games we love.

This is a unique opportunity to hear firsthand from sports leaders from the Bay Area and beyond about how AI is changing the game. Whether you're a die-hard fan, a data enthusiast, or simply curious about the future of sports, this panel discussion is for you!

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Speaker bios:

Aly Wagner, Co-Founder @ Bay FC

Aly Wagner is a co-founder of Bay FC and serves as co-chair and alternative governor of the board of directors.

A two-time FIFA Women’s World Cup bronze medalist, 2002 MAC Hermann Trophy winner and two-time Olympic gold medalist, Aly is FOX Sports’ lead match analyst for the FIFA Women’s World Cup. In 2022, she became executive producer for Groundwork with Aly Wagner, the first NWSL shoulder content providing fans with behind-the-scenes coverage of NWSL players.

Aly played at Santa Clara University, winning a national championship in 2001 with Bay FC co-founders Leslie Osborne and Danielle Slaton. She played for the USWNT from 1999 to 2008 and was on the U.S. 2003 and 2007 World Cup squads, as well as the 2004 and 2008 Olympic teams. Aly was selected as the number-one pick at the WUSA Draft in 2003 by the San Diego Spirit. She also played for the Boston Breakers, Olympique Lyonnais and Los Angeles Sol. Aly resides in the Bay Area with her husband and their four children.

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Costa Kladianos, EVP, Head of Technology @ San Francisco 49ers

Costa Kladianos is in his third season as Executive Vice President, Head of Technology for the San Francisco 49ers and Levi’s Stadium. In his role, he oversees all business technology functions, strategizing and executing initiatives that engage fans, generate revenue and improve internal work efficiencies. His team manages the organization’s IT, cyber security, enterprise applications and other technology projects.

Kladianos is responsible for maintaining Levi’s Stadium’s reputation as one of the most technologically advanced stadiums in the NFL. A true example of innovation in the heart of Silicon Valley, the venue delivers world-class Wi-Fi, mobile connectivity, IPTV, digital displays, HD scoreboards and videoboards, and paperless ticketing. The building is equipped with over 400 miles of data cable, including 70 miles of cable to support in-stadium Wi-Fi. There are also more than 1,300 Wi-Fi access points supporting 2.4 and 5GHz channels and the most current wireless standard including 802.11ac. Wi-Fi is accessible in every location throughout the venue and is free to all.

Prior to joining the 49ers, Kladianos held several technology positions in the sports industry. Most recently, he served as Vice President, Innovation and Technology for Canlan Sports in Toronto, Canada. Before that, he was the Head of Technology for both the Canadian Football League (CFL) and Tennis Canada. At Tennis Canada, he was responsible for launching the first-ever Tech and Tennis Day Conference hosted at the 125^th women’s Rogers Cup Tournament, which brought together some of the biggest names in technology, media and sports to discuss the role of technology and innovation in sports.

Outside of work, Kladianos is a mentor for the Future of Sport Lab and sits on the technology advisory board for the Association of Luxury Suite Directors.

Originally from Toronto, Canada, Kladianos holds a BS in Computer Engineering from York University in Toronto. He is an avid fisherman and currently resides in Santa Clara, CA with his wife and son.

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Dan Quill, Senior Software Engineer @ San Francisco Giants

Dan Quill always knew he was destined to be a software engineer. He began writing code at age fourteen, driven by a natural curiosity that would go on to define his career. His journey with the San Francisco Giants began by chance, joining as a consultant during the early days of the web. As one of the first software engineers in professional baseball, Dan developed the Giants’ first professional scouting system, laying the groundwork for how technology supports decision-making in the sport. This project marked the start of a career characterized by bold ideas and transformative solutions.

Over the years, Dan has led pivotal advancements in the Giants’ technology landscape. He transitioned the scouting system from a client-server model to the web, a move that modernized operations and enhanced accessibility. Later, he spearheaded the organization’s migration to the cloud, creating a more flexible and scalable infrastructure. Now, as the driving force behind the Giants’ AI movement, Dan is implementing projects like sentiment analysis to better understand fan feedback and speech-to-text systems to improve accessibility for hearing-impaired fans. These achievements, along with his leadership in growing a talented engineering team from the ground up, have positioned the Giants as a leader in sports technology.

Beyond his technical contributions, Dan is deeply committed to fostering community and inclusion. As the leader of the Giants Veterans ERG, he creates meaningful connections through initiatives like the Veterans Day Lunch and Memorial Day commemorations, emphasizing the importance of camaraderie and support within the organization. For Dan, working at the Giants is more than a career—it’s a passion. Looking to the future, he envisions a world where AI-driven solutions, inclusive communities, and innovative thinking continue to redefine the boundaries of sports technology and fan engagement. 

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Scott Stanchak, VP Affiliates & League Products @ NBA

Scott is the Vice President, Affiliates & League Products at the National Basketball Association, leading business operations across a portfolio of 100+ global league and team digital consumer products. He first joined the NBA as Vice President, Emerging Technology in 2017. In 2020, Scott was named one of the 40 Under 40 Leaders in Sports. He won a Sports Emmy in 2021.

Outside of the NBA, Scott teaches e-commerce & digital marketing in the graduate program at New York University. He is also the creator of LetterSlider. Previously, Scott was the Managing Director, Platform Operations at The New York Times after leading the company's entrance into the mobile subscription business. He also led mobile strategy (marketing + product) for Avis Budget Group and worked in digital at Fox News and AT&T.

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Jason Wagner, Technology Senior Manager – Professional Sports & Entertainment @ Eide Bailly - Moderator

Jason Wagner, a leader in ERP and Data Analytics, brings over 25 years of experience helping organizations modernize their business applications and leverage data for strategic decision-making. His expertise spans multiple industries, including professional sports, where he has successfully implemented ERP solutions for NBA, NHL, and MLB teams.

Throughout his career, Jason has guided businesses through complex cloud migrations, ensuring a seamless transition from legacy on-premise systems to modern cloud-based solutions. He has played a critical role in data integrations, process automation, and workflow optimization, helping organizations streamline internal operations and meet rigorous league reporting requirements.

His deep knowledge of ERP systems includes Oracle NetSuite, Acumatica, Dynamics 365 Business Central, Sage Intacct, Sage 500, Dynamics GP (Great Plains), Dynamics SL (Solomon), and Epicor Enterprise. He has also worked extensively with CRM platforms such as Salesforce, Dynamics 365 Sales, and Kore Software.

In the field of data warehousing and analytics, Jason has expertise in Microsoft SQL Server, SQL Azure, Snowflake, Tableau, Oracle Analytics Cloud, and Microsoft Power BI. He has led data migrations and normalization projects to enable real-time analytical reporting across disparate systems, empowering organizations with the insights they need to drive growth and efficiency.

With a proven track record of transforming businesses through technology, Jason continues to help organizations harness the power of ERP, data analytics, and automation to improve operations and achieve long-term success.