NFHS, NCAA, SFIA put on 2025 Team Sports Conference

The NFHS, NCAA, and Sports and Fitness Industry Association (SFIA) hosted the 2025 Team Sports Conference March 31-April 1 at The Alexander Hotel in downtown Indianapolis.

The annual gathering connects SFIA members, sporting goods brands, professional leagues, and governing bodies for a comprehensive event to explore the youth and school team sports arena.

After a full day of sport-specific SFIA meetings on Monday, several presentations for all attendees took place on Tuesday, starting with opening remarks by NFHS CEO Dr. Karissa Niehoff.

Following Dr. Niehoff’s introduction, the first two discussion topics included the state of the team sports industry and opportunities for new investment and growth.

Dr. Niehoff, Indiana State High School Association Commissioner Paul Neidig, and Missouri State High School Association Executive Director Dr. Jennifer Rukstad then held a panel discussion on navigating changes in high school athletics, discussing the challenges athletic associations face today.

Dana Pappas, director of officiating services at NFHS, then joined a panel exploring new solutions for sports officials and growing the referee pipeline.

Additional sessions included discussions on the major sporting events coming to the U.S. over the next decade, how the sports industry can respond during disaster relief, and building an ecosystem for girls' and women’s sports empowerment.

Additional information on the 2025 Team Sports Conference can be accessed here.

All photos are courtesy of G. Watson Images.