The Top 24 Sports Speakers to Elevate Your Corporate Event in 2024

Dave Spadaro is a prominent figure within the Philadelphia Eagles organization and is known for his adaptability in the ever-changing landscape of sports media. He is available as an emcee, moderator, and keynote speaker, with a focus on adaptability, organizational culture, and sports insights. He has witnessed the Eagles’ journey through various levels of success, including their Super Bowl LII victory. He shares these experiences in his keynote speeches, offering lessons on leadership, teamwork, and overcoming challenges.

Jim Abbott is a retired Major League Baseball (MLB) pitcher who achieved remarkable success despite being born without a right hand. He played for several teams, including the California Angels, New York Yankees, Chicago White Sox, and Milwaukee Brewers, over the course of his 10-season career. Abbott’s perseverance and determination made him an inspiration to many. He was a successful college athlete at the University of Michigan, leading the Wolverines to two Big Ten championships and a College World Series appearance.

In 1987, he won the Golden Spikes Award, presented annually to the best amateur baseball player in the United States. Abbott also pitched for the U.S. national baseball team at the 1988 Summer Olympics, where they won the gold medal. He was drafted by the California Angels in the first round of the 1988 MLB draft and made his major league debut in 1989 without playing in the minor leagues. In 1993, Abbott pitched a no-hitter for the New York Yankees against the Cleveland Indians. He retired from baseball in 1999 but remains a popular motivational speaker and author.

Jason Kelce is a former center for the Philadelphia Eagles. He helped the team win its first-ever Super Bowl victory and set the franchise record for most consecutive starts. He is one of the most beloved Philadelphia athletes. Kelce also has a popular podcast called New Heights, which he co-hosts with his brother Travis Kelce, who plays for the Kansas City Chiefs. Kelce also founded the (Be)Philly Foundation, which supports Philadelphia youth.

Jay Parry is an accomplished business executive with a passion for sports and community service. She is a former COO of the WNBA and has served as CEO of the host committees for multiple Super Bowl and NCAA Final Four events. Parry’s career in sports began with the Phoenix Mercury, the WNBA team. She was instrumental in the team’s success, both on and off the court. She was later promoted to Senior Vice President of the Phoenix Suns, the Mercury’s NBA counterpart. She then served as the COO of the WNBA from 2000 to 2004.

Rudy Ruettiger is best known for his inspirational story about achieving your dreams, despite the odds, which was depicted in the film Rudy. He only played in one play during his time on the Notre Dame football team, but he sacked the quarterback and was carried off the field by his teammates. Ruettiger is an Emmy award-winning motivational speaker and has also written several books, including Rudy’s Insights for Winning in Life and Rudy: My Story.

Anthony Trucks is a former NFL offensive lineman, American Ninja Warrior competitor, and keynote speaker. Trucks is known for his inspiring story of overcoming a difficult childhood and achieving success both on and off the field. Organizations book Anthony Trucks for corporate and private events because he is also well-known for his keynote and motivational speaking. Contact the Mollie Plotkin Group today to inquire about Anthony Trucks’s fees.

Cole Hamels is a World Series MVP pitcher known for his extraordinary success with the Philadelphia Phillies. He is also well-known for his keynote and motivational speaking. Cole Hamels is available to be booked for corporate and private events. In 2008, Hamels played a key role in the Phillies’ first World Series victory since 1980. As a World Series champion, World Series MVP, and 4-time All-Star, Cole knows what makes great teams succeed.

Tom Brady is a seven-time Super Bowl champion and is widely considered the greatest quarterback in NFL history. He is available to be booked for keynote and motivational speaking. Industry leaders and Fortune 500 companies hire Brady for his expertise in team building, wellness, and top-level success. Brady played in the NFL for 22 seasons, including 20 with the New England Patriots and 2 with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He holds NFL records for Super Bowl wins (7), Super Bowl MVP awards (5), and Pro Bowl selections (15). Brady is also the NFL leader in most passing statistics, including career passing yards (89,214) and career passing touchdowns (649).

Ben Garland is a former NFL player and current Air Force Major. He played for multiple teams during his 11 seasons in the NFL, including 5 seasons with the Denver Broncos. His teams made two Super Bowl appearances. What’s more, Garland is an advocate for veterans and children’s organizations and is also a sought-after speaker on leadership and high-performance strategies. In 2018, he toured U.S. military bases around the world as part of an NFL-USO initiative. Over the past decade, he has attended over 1,000 charity events, with a focus on supporting veterans, mental health, and children’s causes. Garland is also listed as one of the top military keynote speakers of 2023.

Dhani Jones is an entrepreneur, philanthropist, author, TV host, and former NFL linebacker known for his time with the New York Giants, Philadelphia Eagles, and Cincinnati Bengals. Organizations book Dhani as a keynote speaker with a background in sports, television, entrepreneurship, philanthropy, and finance. Dhani is uniquely positioned to provide value as a speaker across multiple industries.

Boomer Esiason is an NFL quarterback, philanthropist, and sportscaster known for his impressive football career and impactful charitable work. In fact, in his 14-year NFL career, Esiason was a 4-time Pro Bowler, won the 1988 NFL MVP award, the 1995 Walter Payton Man of the Year award, and appeared in a Super Bowl. At the time of his retirement, he was in the top 10 in many NFL quarterback statistics.

Jerry Rice is a Pro Football Hall of Fame wide receiver, widely regarded as the best to ever play the game. He holds more NFL records than any other player and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2010, the first year he was eligible. Rice is a motivational speaker who inspires audiences with his story of success and perseverance. Rice played 20 seasons in the NFL, 16 of which were with the San Francisco 49ers. He helped the 49ers win three Super Bowl Championships. After retiring from the NFL, Rice worked as a sports analyst for ESPN and NBC. He co-authored a New York Times bestseller about the Super Bowl and is a brand ambassador and spokesperson for NIKE. In 2019, Rice founded G.O.A.T. Fuel, a lifestyle brand that sells energy drinks. The G.O.A.T. Fuel energy drink is the official energy drink of the Los Angeles Lakers.

Lou Nanne is a hockey legend, former NHL player, and general manager known for his impact on USA Hockey. With Nanne as general manager, the North Stars reached the 1981 Stanley Cup finals and made seven consecutive playoff appearances from 1979 to 1986. Nanne is a member of the Minnesota Sports Hall of Fame, the United States Hockey Hall of Fame, and the International Ice Hockey Federation Hall of Fame. In 1989, he was awarded the Lester Patrick Trophy, which recognizes outstanding service to hockey in the United States.

Meb Keflezighi is an Eritrean-born American long-distance runner. He broke into American popular culture in 2014 after becoming the first American man to win the Boston Marathon since 1983. However, he had already achieved success in the sport, earning a silver medal at the 2004 Olympics. Keflezighi’s journey embodies the American Dream. He arrived in the US as a refugee with his family and became a naturalized citizen in 1998. He was later recognized by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services as an Outstanding American by Choice.

Mickey Morandini is a former professional baseball player, best known for playing for the Philadelphia Phillies and winning a gold medal with the US National Baseball Team at the 1988 Summer Olympics. He is available to be booked for corporate and private events for keynote and motivational speaking and special appearances. Following his playing career, the Phillies hired Morandini as their first base coach and then promoted him to club ambassador.

Ray Didinger is an Emmy award-winning producer, NFL Hall of Famer, legendary sports journalist, and current sportscaster, best known for his 50-year career covering the Philadelphia Eagles. He is available to be booked for keynote speeches, fireside chats, and guest appearances. Didinger currently contributes to the 94.1 WIP sports morning show. He has also written and produced for NFL Films Presents and the documentary Football America. Didinger was a full-time member of NBC Sports Philadelphia, writing and appearing on-air. He also spent 25 years covering the NFL for the Philadelphia Bulletin and the Philadelphia Daily News.

Scott Hamilton is an Olympic Gold Medalist, best-selling author, cancer survivor, and keynote speaker. He is the most recognized male figure skating star in the world and has been inducted into the Olympic Hall of Fame and the World Figure Skating Hall of Fame. Hamilton gained celebrity status with his gold-medal-winning performance at the 1984 Winter Olympics. He has also worked as a sports commentator, producer, and has written multiple best-selling books.

Tom Burgoyne is best known for his 35+ year tenure as the Phillie Phanatic, the mascot for the Philadelphia Phillies. The Baseball Hall of Fame considers the Phillie Phanatic one of the best mascots in sports history. The Phanatic is even enshrined in the Baseball Hall of Fame. 

Burgoyne is a highly sought-after keynote speaker who brings the Phanatic’s principles to corporations and private events. Burgoyne’s message emphasizes creating customer loyalty and boosting employee engagement by learning to “Pheel the Love”.  In his new book, “Pheel the Love – How the Most Powerful Force in the Universe Builds Great Companies”, Burgoyne explains how the Phanatic’s infectious enthusiasm can be applied to leadership and team building. Companies that hire Tom Burgoyne are guaranteed to “PHEEL THE LOVE”.