Latinos in Sports celebrated big at F1 weekend in Miami by honoring Emilio Estefan
Miami came alive during the Formula 1 weekend, and it wasn’t just the roar of engines that made waves. On May 2, LiS: Latinos in Sports™ hosted a standout event at Level 6 in Coconut Grove, which brought together some of the most influential figures in sports, business, and entertainment to shine the spotlight on Hispanic leadership in the global sports industry.
The event welcomed 175 top guests, including Grammy-winning music legend Emilio Estefan, NFL SVP of Global Brand Marketing Marissa Solis, FIFA World Cup Miami Host Committee President Alina Hudak, Miami Marlins CMO Tiago Pinto, and Miami Dolphins CMO Pri Shumate.
A night to remember
Emilio Estefan receiving the Latinos in Sports Pionero Award was the evening’s highlight. Estefan is a music icon as well as a cultural force in sports. As a minority owner of the Miami Dolphins and the creator of the 2024 Leagues Cup anthem “Nuestros Colores,” his influence crosses industries. Estefan was honored for his decades-long efforts to uplift Latino voices and culture.
The Chairman and CEO of Amerant Bank, Jerry Plush, had the honor of presenting Estefan with the award.
Big names talk big ideas
Before Emilio Estefan’s tribute, the event featured a powerful panel discussion titled The Latino Business Imperative for All American Sports. The panel was moderated by Telemundo’s Veronica Rodriguez, and it brought together industry leaders Solis, Hudak, Pinto, and Shumate.
Their conversation focused on how Latinos are reshaping the sports industry as fans, leaders, marketers, and decision-makers.
From brand storytelling to executive leadership, the panelists discussed why adding Latino voices is more than a nice-to-have. It’s critical for development and innovation in today’s sports scene.
“Sports are important to culture, commerce, and community… and Latinos are important to sports,” said Xavier Gutierrez, LiS Co-Founder and CEO of ImpactX Sports Group.
The event rallied around recognition and a shared vision. As Mike Valdes-Fauli, Co-Founder of LiS and President of Chemistry Cultura, put it, “This event was more than a celebration—it was a statement. Latinos are not just participants in the sports industry—we are leaders, owners, marketers, and storytellers redefining the future of sports on a global scale.”
The power behind the scenes
LiS: Latinos in Sports™ pulled off this high-impact gathering with the support of some major brand partners.
Presenting sponsor Amerant Bank helped bring the event to life, along with Finally, the official corporate card and spend management platform of LiS.
Heineken and Lalo Tequila also played key roles in making the night unforgettable.
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