The Presidents Speaker is presented by

Each year, SMA hosts its annual “Presidents Luncheon” which honors a sport marketing professional who has become a respected leader in the field. The Presidents Speaker is personally invited by the SMA President and, as such, the address is one of SMA's time honored and highly prestigious awards. Prior SMA Presidents Speakers include some of the industry’s most accomplished professionals.
 

Jeremy Walls is entering his third season as the Chief Operating Officer of the Arizona Cardinals, leading the Business Operations for the Club.

Jeremy Walls joined the Arizona Cardinals after spending 10 seasons (2013-2022) with the Miami Dolphins, most recently as the organization's Senior VP, Chief Revenue Officer since 2020. In that role, Walls led the team's corporate partnerships, marketing, ticket sales and operations, member services, suites and food & beverage operations. He also handled commercial and marketing responsibilities for Formula 1 Miami Grand Prix and along with IMG co-led the Miami Open tennis tournament.

Before joining the Dolphins, Walls worked with the San Diego Padres as VP of Ticket Sales, Service & Operations (2012-2013). He also held roles as the Director of Team Marketing and Business Operations (TMBO) for the NBA League Office in New York (2009-2011), Director of Groups, Suites and Inside Sales for the Arizona Diamondbacks (2007-2009) and as Group Sales Manager with the Phoenix Suns (2002-2006).

In 2017, he was honored by the Sports Business Journal as a member of its 40-Under-40 Class, which recognizes the best and brightest executives under the age of 40. Walls earned a degree in Sports Management from Mount Vernon Nazarene University. He and his wife, Maile, reside in Tempe, AZ, and have two children, Kaelin and Kostner.

Previous Presidents Speakers

2025 - Jeremy Walls, COO, Arizona Cardinals
2024 - Dionna Widder, CRO, Nashville Predators
2023 - Steve Griggs, CEO, Vinik Sports Group
2022 - Flavil Hampsten, COO, Elevate Sports Ventures
2021 – Steve Miller, CEO of Agassi Graf Holdings
2020 – no award as the Annual Conference was not held due to COVID
2019 – Al Guido, President, San Francisco 49ers/CEO Elevate Sports Ventures
2018 – Rich Luker, Founder, Sports Poll & Luker on Sports
2017 – Ted Dalton, Senior VP Partnership & Business, Boston Celtics
2016 – Todd Fischer, Senior VP Global Sports & Entertainment, GMR Marketing
2015 – Lisa Murray, Executive VP & CMO, Octogan
2014 – Bernie Mullin, Founder & CEO, The Aspire Group
2013 – Jon Spoelstra, Co-Founder, SRO Partners
2010 – Bill Bailey, Senior VP of Sales & Service, New Orleans Hornets
2009 – Nancy Hill, President & CEO, America Association of Advertising Agencies
2006 – Shawn Hunter, Executive VP, Denver Nuggets & Colorado Avalanche
2004 – Andy Dolich, President, Memphis Grizzlies
2003 – Bill Carter, Partner, Fuse