Presenters

Dylan Wanagiel is the vice president of sports properties and special events in the Entertainment Programming division of Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment (HBSE). Since joining HBSE in April 2021, he has been directly responsible for the booking of all sports properties and special events in HBSE venues, including Prudential Center (Newark, New Jersey),  Northwest Stadium (formerly Commanders Field, in Landover, Maryland), and White Eagle Hall (Jersey City, New Jersey).   

In one of the most competitive entertainment markets in the world, he has booked record-breaking, global events such as UFC 288, UFC 302 (the highest grossing event in Prudential Center history), eight professional boxing events, the USA Wrestling World Team Trials, the League of Legends LCS Finals, and seven AEW events. In addition, Wanagiel has expanded Prudential Center’s college basketball schedule, making Newark home to Seton Hall Men’s Division I basketball, the Never Forget Tribute Classic, and the HBCU Legacy Classic. Most recently, Wanagiel added another cornerstone basketball property as Prudential Center will serve as host of the 2025 NCAA Men’s Basketball East Regional. With deep connections across the sports and entertainment industry, he also played a critical role in booking the 2022 & 2023 MTV Video Music Awards, further cementing Prudential Center as one of the top five venues in the world.

Across HBSE’s other properties, Wanagiel booked two major international soccer friendlies in June 2024 at Commanders Field and is leading the strategy to add more sporting events to the stadium in 2025. Meanwhile, he helped make history at Jersey City’s White Eagle Hall, bringing sporting events such as boxing, jiu jitsu, sumo wrestling, urban fitness competitions, and professional darts to the venue for the first time in its 115-year existence. 

Prior to joining HBSE, he spent 25 years at Madison Square Garden. There he pushed efforts to legalize mixed martial arts in New York, culminating in UFC 205, the highest grossing sporting event in MSG history, leading the LOC for the 2016 NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships, as well as the inaugural bookings of the Professional Bull Riders and Professional Darts Corporation.