On Friday, October 23, 2026, McCathern, Shokouhi, Evans founding partner Levi McCathern and partner Adam Mehr took part in the 29th Annual Wall Street Project Economic Impact Summit, held at the New York Stock Exchange in Manhattan.
Hosted by the Rainbow PUSH Coalition and the Citizenship Education Fund, this year’s Summit centered on the theme “The Sports Investment Revolution: From Ownership to Ecosystem.” The program’s chair Cynthia DiBartolo of Tigress Financial Partners merged together private equity and capital markets professionals, team owners, league executives, investors, entrepreneurs and elite athletes to examine how sports has grown into a major engine for investment, innovation and community impact.
Adam, who is based in the firm’s Los Angeles office and chairs its Media, Sports & Entertainment practice, moderated “Private Equity Taking the Field in Sports.” He was joined by K. Don Cornwell, Co-Founder and CEO of Dynasty Equity, a global sports investment firm whose portfolio includes Liverpool FC and the Seattle Seahawks, and Jeff Schrock, Partner at Ackerley Sports Group, whose holdings span franchises including the Seattle Kraken, Seattle Storm and Leeds United FC. The conversation examined how private equity’s reach has grown from major American leagues to European football, emerging competitions, women’s sports and collegiate athletics. The panelists discussed what makes sports such a compelling asset class, where the next wave of capital is headed, how investors can create value without compromising the fan experience, and what the ownership landscape may look like over the next decade.
Levi served as a panelist on “Power Players: The Future of Sports Investment & Athlete Entrepreneurship,” moderated by Alexis Ramos, Co-President of Sixteenth Sports. He was joined by fellow panelists Brad Edwards, CEO of NFL Alumni, and Hoyoung Huh of Stella Marina Holdings, an owner of the Dragons RFC professional rugby club in Wales and the Miami Marlins. The discussion explored how sports has become a platform for business building, from team ownership and venue development to the rising influence of athletes as founders, investors and business leaders. Drawing on decades of experience advising clients at the intersection of elite sports, business and high-stakes decision-making, Levi offered perspective on where value is being created in the industry and where the next generation of opportunity is likely to emerge.
“Being in that room mattered,” said Levi McCathern. “Professional sports is growing faster than ever as an investment class, and the leadership behind it needs to reflect the athletes, fans and communities who make the industry what it is. Diversity in ownership, in the front office and in the boardroom deserves real focus, and the Wall Street Project has been pushing that conversation forward for nearly 30 years. I’m grateful to summit chair Cynthia DiBartolo, the Jackson family, and especially to Yusef Jackson and the Rainbow PUSH Coalition, for including me and for carrying Rev. Jackson’s mission forward.”
“Sports is creating opportunity at every level, from ownership groups to athletes building businesses of their own,” said Adam Mehr. “It was an honor to help guide a conversation with leaders who are shaping where the industry goes next, and to do it at an event built on expanding access to that opportunity. Our thanks to the Rainbow PUSH Coalition, the Citizenship Education Fund and everyone who made this year’s Summit possible.”
Hosting the Summit at the New York Stock Exchange gave this year’s conversations a fitting backdrop, placing discussions about access to capital and ownership in the heart of American finance. To close the day, Levi joined members of the Summit in ringing the NYSE closing bell, a powerful moment and a fitting tribute to the Wall Street Project’s long history on the exchange floor.
The Summit also included a tribute to the late Rev. Jesse L. Jackson, Sr., who founded the Wall Street Project nearly three decades ago to expand economic opportunity, access and inclusion. That mission first took shape on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange, where Rev. Jackson was joined by President Bill Clinton and leaders from finance and government.
McCathern, Shokouhi, Evans is proud to have contributed to this year’s conversation and thanks the Rainbow PUSH Coalition, the Citizenship Education Fund and Summit co-chairs Cynthia DiBartolo of Tigress Financial Partners and Wanda Durant for the invitation, as well as Wade Watson of Rock and Seed for his work bringing together the Summit’s speakers and attendees.