Concours d’Elegance: 74 Years of Automotive Excellence in Pebble Beach

By Beth Schnitzer –

I was honored to attend the 74th edition of the Concours d’Elegance, making the 2 1⁄2-hour drive from San Francisco to Pebble Beach with my sister, Kris, who was visiting from out of town.

It was a gorgeous, sunny day in the 60s, and guests came dressed to impress in attire befitting one of the world’s premier collector car competitions. Having attended 15 years ago, I knew to expect rare Ferraris, Maseratis, and Aston Martins, but I was still struck by the sheer range and beauty on display. Established in 1950, the Concours is now recognized globally as the top event of its kind, and it drew enthusiasts, designers, collectors, and even the artist who designed the awards themselves. We met guests from the Bay Area, Tahoe, Los Angeles, Texas, Florida, New York, Italy, and Germany.

We especially loved walking around the Concept Lawn, where futuristic dream cars and prototypes dazzled onlookers. We learned that one Italian concept car was sold to six different buyers in one day for over $1 million, proof of the passion and prestige surrounding these automobiles. We were especially drawn to the elegant Bugattis, Porsches, and Alfa Romeos, each judged not only for style and technical merit but also for history, originality, and accuracy of preservation or restoration.

The hospitality elevated the experience to another level. We thoroughly enjoyed the Club d’Elegance—from incredible seafood to omelet stations, meat-carving tables, and a make-your-own Bloody Mary bar, and dessert station—every detail was decadent.

All in all, we loved our experience. It was a day of elegance, artistry, and celebration—both for the cars and for the guests—for one of the most iconic automotive events anywhere.

Bay FC Takes Oracle Park by Storm With Record-Breaking Crowd

Bay FC and the Washington Spirit delivered an action-packed match at The Show at Oracle Park, played in front of a sold-out crowd of 40,091 fans—a new NWSL attendance record and it set a new high mark for any U.S. women’s professional sports league. The energy outside the park was palpable. Fans of all ages—men, women, kids, and families—were decked out in Bay FC gear, music pulsed from a DJ, and soccer ball sculptures by local artists celebrated the diversity and creativity of the Bay Area.

For me, it was my very first Bay FC match, and the atmosphere was electric. The iconic baseball diamond was transformed into a soccer pitch, and the sea of fans created an unforgettable moment of unity and celebration. I stopped with my Spritz colleague, Sofia, to take pictures, soaking in the energy before heading inside. Once in the stands, it was clear that this wasn’t just a soccer game; it was a cultural moment for the Bay Area.

As someone who has worked in sports marketing for much of my career, I took particular note of the sponsors who have rallied behind Bay FC. Visa presented the match, Trader Joe’s adorned the jerseys, and Sutter Health, Invisalign, and others made their presence felt. While Bay FC ultimately fell 3–2 to the Spirit, the experience was magical from start to finish.

I was also delighted to see Senator Scott Wiener at a post-event Bay FC reception and to note his visible support of women’s sports. I heard that our mayor, Daniel Lurie, was there for the start of the match as well, though I didn’t see him personally. Their presence highlighted the growing momentum and civic pride behind women’s sports in the Bay Area.

State Senator Scott Wiener with Sofia Harrelson of SpritzSF and colleagues

The Future of Women’s Sports: Insights From Women’s Panel—Not a Moment, But a Movement

On Friday before the Bay FC match, I attended the “Future of Women’s Sports” panel at Oracle Park, featuring an impressive lineup of voices. The conversation was as energizing as it was insightful.

What resonated most with me was the repeated theme that women’s sports are not just a moment; they are a movement. The panelists emphasized the importance of creating connections and cultural moments for both fans and players. Innovation is happening across the board, from digital engagement to creative activations pre-, during, and post-game.

Bay FC leadership, in particular, underscored how crucial it is to partner with brands that share authentic values. It’s not just about sponsorship—it’s about strategic alignment, co-creating stories, and connecting with communities in meaningful ways. Panelists also stressed that agility and creativity are key to sustaining momentum.

Another important takeaway was the critical need for investment in women’s sports right now—not only in global platforms and media, but also in facilities and infrastructure. The U.S. and Mexico will co-host the Women’s World Cup in 2031, and the panel made clear that the investments we make today will determine how strong the ecosystem is by then. To support and advance the movement, it’s vital that we continue to grow resources, visibility, and opportunities for women athletes worldwide.

Golden State Valkyries Unveil Mascot ‘Violet’: A Nod to Norse Mythology

Although I didn’t see the reveal firsthand, the Golden State Valkyries’ new mascot is already making waves across the bay. At halftime of their game against the Connecticut Sun, the team unveiled Violet—a bespectacled purple raven who cartwheeled onto the court.

The Valkyries had been building suspense for weeks, first announcing “an egg” of undetermined bird species. The reveal exceeded expectations, and reactions from fans, players, and media have been overwhelmingly positive. I love Violet’s bright feathers, playful personality, and the way the character adds another dimension to the Valkyries’ gameday experience.

The team continues to weave Norse mythology into its identity, creating a sense of heritage and storytelling that make the franchise unique. With playoffs approaching, Violet will be a spirited addition. Go, Valkyries!

A New Spin on Tradition: U.S. Open Mixed Doubles

My sister Jaimie Westley, who lives on the East Coast, attended the U.S. Open’s new mixed doubles format last week and came away raving about the experience. She described the energy as absolutely incredible; the crowd was buzzing, the talent on the court was outstanding, and the fans were fully engaged throughout. Even with some controversy around the new format, particularly with top singles players stepping into the spotlight, the consensus seemed to be that the innovation brought a fresh spark to the competition.

I loved hearing her describe the excitement and enthusiasm, especially about the faster scoring format. From everything I’ve heard, the debut was a tremendous success, and I suspect that other Grand Slam tournaments will soon adopt similar changes to elevate the profile of mixed doubles. It’s telling that, even in a sport rooted in tradition, innovation and reinvention can create new cultural moments for both athletes and fans. I’m excited to follow the U.S. Open the next few weeks.

Olympic Buzz: Naming Rights and Sponsorship Innovation for LA28

I always like to include a bit of Olympic buzz, and this month’s update is especially groundbreaking. For the first time in the history of the Olympic and Paralympic Games, LA28 will introduce a venue naming rights program.

The move builds on sponsorship precedents set in Paris, where premier partner LVMH (Louis Vuitton Moët Hennessy) was woven into the Opening Ceremony, and Samsung mobile phones were placed on the victory platforms for medalists.

The Comcast Squash Center at Universal Studios will host the Olympic debut of squash, while the Honda Center in Anaheim will host indoor volleyball—both keeping their names intact during the Games. Personally, I’m especially excited about squash’s long-awaited Olympic debut along with cricket.

This venue naming approach not only reflects innovation but also ensures a significant economic impact for LA28. It’s a bold, creative model that may shape the way future Games are funded.

Closing Reflection

From classic automobiles along the 18th fairway to women’s soccer filling Oracle Park, from the rise of Bay Area women’s sports leaders to the playful debut of Violet the Valkyrie, it’s clear that our region continues to embrace innovation, inclusion, and excellence. Even at the U.S. Open, where tradition meets reinvention with a new mixed doubles format, and looking ahead to the sponsorship innovations of LA28, the spirit of sports shines through. The Bay Area remains a place where history and progress coexist beautifully—on the pitch, on the court, on the fairway, and on the open road.

These experiences remind me that sports are more than games; they are shared moments that become memories, and those memories together create movements.

Signing off from the Bay, where passion meets the play. See you next month!

Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance
https://www.pebblebeachconcours.net

Bay FC
https://www.bayfc.com

NWSL
https://www.nwslsoccer.com

WNBA
https://www.wnba.com

Golden State Valkyries
https://valkyries.wnba.com/

ESPYs
https://www.espn.com/espys/

V Foundation
https://www.v.org/

IOC
https://www.olympics.com/ioc

Milano Cortina
https://milanocortina2026.olympics.com/en

LA 28
https://la28.org/en.html

US Open
https://www.usopen.org/index.html