GREATER ORLANDO SPORTS COMMISSION UNVEILS LIST OF 65 FINALISTS FOR 2026 SPORTYS AWARDS

65 finalists represent 31 organizations across all award categories 

Orlando, Fla. (May 5, 2026) – The Greater Orlando Sports Commission (GO Sports) has unveiled the list of 65 finalists for the 2026 SPORTYS: Greater Orlando’s Night of Champions presented by Orlando Health Jewett Orthopedic Institute. Representing 31 organizations throughout Greater Orlando, the finalists were selected by a voting committee made up of members of the GO Sports board of directors.

Since its relaunch in 2020, more than 300 finalists have been recognized by the SPORTYS, highlighting the dedication and talent that drive the region’s thriving sports ecosystem. 

“Congratulations to all of the finalists announced today,” said Caesar Lopez, Chairman of the Greater Orlando Sports Commission Board of Directors. “We are proud to celebrate the outstanding individuals who represent 31 organizations across our region, each playing a vital role in the strength of our collaborative sports business community. Their impact continues to fuel the growth of our industry and reinforces Orlando’s position as a global sports capital.” 

The 2026 SPORTYS will stream online at WKMG-TV News 6’s ClickOrlando.com on Wednesday, June 17 at 7:00 p.m. with the winners being revealed during the broadcast.  

Tickets for the June 17 Watch Party and Sports Industry Reception sponsored by AAU will go on sale on Wednesday, May 13 at www.GreaterOrlandoSports.com/SPORTYS. Hosted at Inter&Co Stadium, registration and networking opens at 6:00 p.m., followed by the live watch party at 7:00 p.m. and Orlando Sports Industry Reception from 8:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. 

In addition to Orlando Health Jewett Orthopedic Institute and AAU returning as presenting and reception sponsors, respectively, the following corporate partners have returned as award sponsors: AdventHealth, Florida Citrus Sports, Mission Resort + Club, Osceola Heritage Park, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, UCF Athletics, Visit Orlando, and VyStar Credit Union.  

“We’re incredibly grateful to Ultima Espino and Orlando Health Jewett Orthopedic Institute for serving as our presenting sponsor, Jo Mirza and the team at AAU for their continued support of the live event, and all of our award sponsors for helping us bring this event to life,” said Jason Siegel, President & CEO of the Greater Orlando Sports Commission. “We’re excited to celebrate this year’s finalists and to host our live event at Inter&Co Stadium for the first time, it will be an incredible setting to recognize the people and organizations that continue to elevate our sports community.” 

In addition to the finalists revealed today, the winners of the Chairman’s Award of Excellence and the Sports Tourism Alliance Award will be announced in a separate release prior to the SPORTYS broadcast.  

Limited sponsorship opportunities are still available. For more information, contact Michael D. Kalinich at Michael@greaterorlandosports.com.  

 

2026 SPORTYS Finalists:  

Finalists are listed alphabetically within each category. 

Best in Business Operations  

• Tiffany Beasley – Arnold Palmer Invitational  

• Clyde Boutte – Orlando Venues  

• Elizabeth Hartsock – UCF Athletics  

• Sarah Ratzlaff – Orlando Valkyries 

• Nick Stepp – Florida Citrus Sports 

• Danny Trosset – Seminole County Tourism 

Best in Corporate Partnerships  

• Garrett Altier – UCF Athletics 

• Holly Baney – United States Tennis Association 

• Josh Kleinman – Orlando City SC & Orlando Pride 

• Michael Loulan – Orlando Magic 

• Lori Newcomb – Special Olympics Florida 

• David Strahan – Arnold Palmer Invitational  

Best in Gameday & Team Operations  

• Chrissy Elliott – Florida Citrus Sports 

• Tori Forney – UCF Athletics 

• Joe Hierholzer – Orlando Sports Foundation/Cure Bowl 

• Evan Knowlton – Rollins College Athletics 

• Bryan Mulry – Mission Resort + Club 

• Mike Weeman – Orlando Venues  

Best in Marketing  

• Caroline Brinson – Orlando Solar Bears 

• Aaron Cranford – Orlando City SC & Orlando Pride 

• Chris Delahoz – HiFive Agency 

• Jordan Eichenblatt – HiFive Agency 

• Hannah Stark – UCF Athletics  

• Haley White – Rollins College Athletics 

Best in Media, Communications & Public Relations  

• Phil Chinnery – Rollins College Athletics 

• Eric DeSalvo – UCF Athletics  

• Joel Glass – Orlando Magic 

• Tom LaDue – United States Tennis Association 

• Troy MacNeill – Amateur Athletic Union 

• Madison Mehringer – Orlando Sports Foundation/Cure Bowl 

Best in Sales 

• Adam Haukap – UCF Athletics  

• Bryan Floyd – Arnold Palmer Invitational  

• David Kucinski – Orlando Magic 

• Jon Reaves – Orlando City SC & Orlando Pride 

• Michelle Serowchak – Orlando City SC & Orlando Pride 

• Matt Stover – Orlando Sports Foundation/Cure Bowl  

Best in Social Responsibility  

• Alicia Albert – Track Shack Events 

• Kaia Hyde – Orlando City SC & Orlando Pride 

• BJ Mealy – Special Olympics Florida  

• Eddy Moratin – Lift Orlando  

• Danny Trosset – Sports 4 The Kids 

Sponsorship Activation of the Year  

• AdventHealth, Orlando Magic & Tampa Bay Buccaneers – “You Good? Campaign” 

• Florida Citrus Sports & AdventHealth – “Citrus Bowl 80 Years of Impact” 

• Full Sail University & EA Sports – “Madden NFL Championship Series” 

• Orlando City SC & Orlando Health – “Orange Center Elementary Jerseys for Good Grades” 

• Orlando Pride & Orlando Health Arnold Palmer Hospital – “Teddy Bear Toss” 

• Orlando Solar Bears & Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex – “Space Night” 

• Orlando Solar Bears & AdventHealth – “Patient Jersey Design” 

• Track Shack & WESH2 – “Share Your Christmas” 

Best in Venue Operations  

• Gladi Friedrich – Caribe Royale Orlando  

• Holly Kaminski – UCF Athletics  

• Charles Leone, Jr. – Orlando Venues  

• Jeff Moorefield – Arnold Palmer Invitational 

• Hope Paccione – Addition Financial Arena 

• Daniel Parks – Mission Resort + Club 

Executive of the Year 

• Craig Borkon – Orlando Venues 

• Jarrod Dillon – Orlando City SC & Orlando Pride  

• Drew Donovan – Arnold Palmer Invitational 

• Alan Gooch – Orlando Sports Foundation/Cure Bowl 

• Jo Mirza – Amateur Athletic Union 

• Terry Mohajir – UCF Athletics  

• Craig Morris – United States Tennis Association  

• Pennie Parker – Rollins College Athletics 

• Ryan Ritchie – Discover Lake County Florida 

• Ricardo Villar – FC Series  

About the Greater Orlando Sports Commission 

The Greater Orlando Sports Commission (GO Sports) is a private, non-profit organization established to attract and manage sports-related events, conferences and activities that drive positive economic development in the City of Orlando, Lake County, Orange County, Osceola County, and Seminole County. Founded in 1992-93, the organization has hosted or co-hosted more than 1,700 events in the Greater Orlando area with a total economic impact exceeding $3.86 billion in spending within the community. For more information, visit www.GreaterOrlandoSports.com.