University of Miami students, alumni, and others wishing to enter the sports field, can get lots of insider information and learn about the industry by attending the fifth annual University of Miami Sport Industry Conference, on Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2020, at the Donna E. Shalala Student Center on the Coral Gables campus.
Moved from its usual spot in April to January, the conference hopes to attract visitors who are attending Super Bowl LIV, said Erin McNary, assistant professor in the Department of Kinesiology and Sport Sciences and organizer of the event.
“The conference is growing in its influence, and we moved it up prior to the Super Bowl to draw in all those who are visiting,” said McNary. “It also serves to expose our students to pressing issues in the field and creates a networking forum.”
With pertinent information for anyone who wants to enter the sports business arena, the event features a networking reception with sports professionals. Last year’s conference drew more than 400 people to the Coral Gables campus.
This year, the conference kicks off at 11:30 a.m. with keynote speaker David Higdon, global head of communications for Riot Games’ esports division. Esports, a form of sports competition using video game technology, has grown in popularity. Riot Games is the developer and publisher of the popular game, “League of Legends.’’
Other speakers include TJ Adeshola, head of U.S. sports partnerships at Twitter; Carlos Alves, executive director and CEO of FIBA Americas; Eric Winston, president of the NFL Players Association and a University of Miami alumnus; Don Davis, senior director of Player Affairs and senior advisor to the executive director of the NFL Players Association; and Boris Gartner, chief executive officer of LaLiga North America. LaLiga is Spain’s soccer competition and professional association.
Among the sessions being offered is “Trafficking, Sports, and the Spike” that will address the increase of human trafficking that surrounds large sporting and entertainment events, such as the Super Bowl.
Visit miamisportconference.com for more information or to register for the conference.
