Dr. William Kapfer Named Compete Sports Network’s 2025 Person of the Year at TEAMS ’25

In 2026, Compete enters its twentieth year — not just a marker of time, but a testament to two decades of elevating athletes and communities whose stories once lived in the margins. Compete was born in 2006 at the Bingham Cup in New York City, a moment when LGBTQ+ athletes were competing yet had almost no media platform of their own. What began as Sports Out Loud, the world’s first gay sports magazine, quickly grew into a movement rooted in visibility, equity, and the belief that sports are for everyone. Today, Compete Sports Network connects athletes, sports organizations, tourism partners, corporate partners and community organizations across the country — all under the banner of Sports For All™. And Sports For All™ is all encompassing, and includes you! Now, as we begin our 20th year, we’re launching the celebration at the Sin City Classic in Las Vegas. The 2026 Compete Sports For All™ Awards On January 15, 2026, Compete will host the Sports For All™ Awards during the Sin City Classic — honoring the athletes, organizers, volunteers, and advocates who make sports more accessible, more welcoming, and more inspiring. This theme, History & Heroes , is a year-long tribute to the individuals and organizations whose actions — often quiet, sometimes bold, always meaningful — have helped shape the modern sports landscape. From coaches to tournament founders to elite athletes, these are the people whose work transforms communities. Award nominations are now open. To recognize someone who embodies courage, excellence, leadership, and the spirit of Sports For All™, visit: www. competetwork.com/nominations A Year-Long Storytelling Campaign Compete is also launching a year-long History & Heroes storytelling campaign. Every sports organization is encouraged to complete our community questionnaire and share its history, mission, and impact. Organizations will be featured across Compete’s magazine, digital platforms, and event stages throughout 2026. Your organization’s story matters — and this year, it becomes part of a 20-year legacy. Share your story here: https://forms.gle/TPCjEmvkKtWkGVLn9 Honoring Legacy The Mark Bingham Athlete of the Year Award remains the centerpiece of the Sports For All™ Awards. Named for Mark Bingham — an LGBTQ+ rugby player, entrepreneur, and 9/11 hero — the award represents the highest standard of athletic achievement, integrity, and courage. Bingham’s legacy remains central to Compete’s mission: sportsmanship, bravery, and the belief that one person’s actions can change the world. Another iconic symbol of the awards is the Petey statue , modeled after the classic image of a rugby official signaling a try. Petey represents fairness, passion, and the pure joy of sport — a visual reminder that greatness comes not only from athletic dominance but from character, respect, and commitment to the game. Looking Forward As Compete steps into its 20th year, the focus is not simply on looking back — it’s on shaping what comes next. The next generation of athletes. The next wave of community leaders. The next stories that will define the future of Sports For All™. Whether you’re nominating an outstanding athlete, submitting your organization’s story, or joining us in Las Vegas, this is your invitation to be part of the next chapter.  See you at the Sin City Classic on January 15, 2026 — where History & Heroes take center stage.

In May 2006, a bold idea took shape on a rugby pitch in New York City. At the Bingham Cup—gay rugby’s equivalent of the Rugby World Cup—we introduced the world to Sports Out Loud Magazine, the first and only gay sports magazine in existence at the time. With a simple but ambitious vision—“To Unite the World Through Sports”—we set out to tell the stories no one else was telling. Not the stories of celebrity athletes. Not the stories confined to box scores. But the stories of everyday competitors—their grit, their dreams, their victories on and off the field. We believed then, as we do now, that sports have the extraordinary power to bring people together, create belonging, and elevate voices that deserve to be heard. Two Decades of Growth, Innovation, and Leadership What began as a print magazine has evolved into a comprehensive, multi-platform sports network. Today, Compete Sports Network serves as a bridge connecting: · Sports organizations · Tourism and destination partners · Corporate leaders · Community organizations · Athletes and sports fans worldwide Our evolution has been intentional. As the world of sports expanded, so did we—growing from a publication into a dynamic ecosystem that now includes: · Digital media and storytelling · Professional conferences and markets · Signature awards and recognition programs · Membership and advisory platforms · Sports tourism and economic-impact initiatives Each step forward has been shaped by the same mission that started it all: building connection, opportunity, and visibility through sports. Entering Our 20th Year: A Milestone Worth Celebrating As we step into our 20th year—not just marking an anniversary, but actively beginning our next chapter—we do so with gratitude, pride, and clarity of purpose. Twenty years represents far more than time passed. It represents the athletes we’ve profiled, the organizations we’ve supported, the events we’ve powered, and the relationships that have carried us forward. It represents resilience—through industry changes, economic shifts, and global challenges. It represents leadership—showing what is possible when sports and inclusion move hand in hand. And it represents the remarkable community that stands with us. Thank You to Our Partners, Friends, and Supporters None of this would have been possible without the sports organizations, DMOs, tourism leaders, corporate partners, and community advocates who believed in our mission. Your collaboration, your trust, and your commitment have helped transform a magazine into a movement. The Next Chapter Begins Now As we enter our 20th year, we’re not looking backward—we’re building forward. Watch for new initiatives, expanded partnerships, and a renewed commitment to our founding vision: Sports For All™ . Together, we will continue to elevate sports, uplift communities, and unite people across the globe.

This year, Las Vegas becomes the epicenter of inclusive sports when thousands of athletes and fans gather for the Sin City Classic. In 2026, Compete Sports Network is turning up the volume with the Winter Sports Business Conference, happening January 14–20, 2026 — a full week designed to help you connect, collaborate, and grow your sports organization or brand. This isn’t your typical conference. It’s where sports meets purpose, and where genuine relationships lead to real business. Why This Conference Matters If you work in sports, tourism, corporate or community engagement, you already know that relationships drive everything. The Compete Winter Sports Business Conference brings together sports organizers, tourism pros, corporate partners, community leaders, and small business owners who believe in growing their organization. This year marks Compete’s sixth consecutive time returning to Las Vegas, but it’s the first year partnering with the Sports Philanthropy Network, adding even more depth to the conversations around purpose-driven sports and business growth. What to Expect Things kick off Wednesday night with a Welcome Reception—a casual networking event that sets the tone for the week. Thursday is packed with sessions, business building opportunities, and conversations around: · Building your organization · Connecting with others to support your business · Turning your passion for sports into long-term business success The night ends with a signature Compete tradition: the 2026 Compete Sports For All™ Awards, better known as the Petey Awards. Now in its 16th year, the Peteys celebrate the people and organizations making real change in sports—our “History and Heroes” from around the country. The Bigger Picture At its heart, the Compete Winter Sports Business Conference is about connection. It’s about leaving Vegas with new ideas, new partners, and new energy for the year ahead. Whether you’re a league director, tourism professional, or entrepreneur, you’ll find people who speak your language—people who believe that sports should unite, not divide. This isn’t a one-off event. It’s part of a bigger movement: Sports For All™. Join Us in Las Vegas Contact Trayer Martinez, SDLT to join in Las Vegas!

Photo credit: Kelly Oberle

Compete Sports Network is proud to showcase upcoming sports events produced by our Compete member organizers, furthering our mission of Sports For All™. 

As we gear up for the 2025 Compete Women's Leadership Summit on October 8-9 in Wesley Chaple, we want to recognize the achievements and contributions of women athletes throughout history. To say that women have faced immense challenges in the world of sports hardly begins to describe it. From being barred from competition to battling for equal playing space and equipment to equal television rights and equal pay – it’s been a long battle for true recognition. Yet in spite of these obstacles, female athletes have broken records, shattered barriers and paved the way for future generations of girls and women athletes. One of these pioneers was Wilma Rudolph, who overcame polio as a child to become the first American woman to win three gold medals in track and field at the 1960 Olympic Games held in Rome. Her dominance on the track inspired countless young girls to pursue athletics. Another pioneer is Billie Jean King who single handedly has changed the face of women’s tennis in particular and women’s sports in general. Some may only remember her 1973 victory over Bobby Riggs in the “Battle of the Sexes” tennis match, proving that women players were as good or better than the men and deserved equal prize money. In 1974 she founded the Women’s Sports Foundation that advocates for girls and women in sports through a number of avenues, including research, financial assistance to aspiring female athletes and opportunities for both girls and women to participate in sports.

Photo credit: Ce'Nedra Dillard

Photo credit: Gay Games XII Valencia 2026

Photo credit: Black Volleyball Circuit