2026 Summit Schedule
NOTE: All panels will be in the Yellowhammer Room (Gorgas Library, Room 2019)
Sports Media Literacy Panel
Sports Media Literacy Panel
Wednesday, April 15 @ 6 p.m.
Topic: Is the NCAA Dying?
Moderator: Cruz Oxenreider, Digital Creator and Social Media Influencer
Panelists
Greg Byrne
Athletic Director
University of Alabama
Justin Johnson
Name, Image and Likeness Strategist
Lauren Smith
Professor and Head of Research and Social Impact Initiatives
Rowan University
Derrick Crawford
Vice President of Hearing Operations
NCAA
Adrian Hubbard
President, YoMerch Club
Former Alabama Crimson Tide Football Player
Esports and Video Gaming Panel
Esports and Video Gaming Panel
Thursday, April 16 @ 8 a.m.
Topic: What can we learn from toxic behaviors in gaming and esports?
Moderator: Brandon Harris, Journalism and Creative Media Professor, The University of Alabama
Panelists
Erik Anderson
President
FaZe Esports
Akil Fletcher
Costen Postdoctoral Fellow and Lecturer of Anthropology
Princeton University
Kishonna Gray
Professor and Director of Intersectional Tech Lab
University of Michigan's School of Information
Megan Van Petten
Executive Director
Esports Trade Association
Fireside Chat
Fireside Chat
Thursday, April 16 @ 9:30 a.m.
Mark Shapiro
President and Chief Operating Officer
TKO Group Holdings, Inc.
Andrew Billings
Co-Director, Beyond Sports Initiative
Ronald Reagan Chair of Broadcasting
The University of Alabama
Fantasy Sports and Sports Betting Panel
Esports and Video Gaming Panel
Thursday, April 16 @ 11 a.m.
Topic: Why isn't sports betting legal nationwide?
Moderator: Pam Chvotkin, Freelance Operations and Production Manager
Panelists
Clint Hangebrauck
Managing Director of Enterprise Risk Management
NCAA
Brian Petrotta
Assistant Professor, Sports Media and Communication
University of Nebraska
Brian Selman
U.S. Sports Program Manager
EPIC Global Solutions
Dan Hartman
Senior Advisor for Regulatory & Government Affairs
GMA Consulting
Sports and Technology Panel
Sports and Technology Panel
Thursday, April 16 @ 12:30 p.m. CT
Topic: Is your living room the new front row seat?
Moderator: Pam Chvotkin, freelance producer and operations manager
Panelists
Matt Nordby
Managing Director of Communications
NASCAR
Will Kiss
Vice President of Communications
Las Vegas Raiders
Emilio Fernandez Peña
Professor and Director, Centre d’Estudis Olímpics i de l’Esport
Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona
Sports and Technology Panel
Sports and Technology Panel
Thursday, April 16 @ 12:30 p.m. CT
Topic: Is your living room the new front row seat?
Moderator: Dr. Sean Sadri, Journalism and Creative Media Professor, The University of Alabama
Panelists
Matt Nordby
Managing Director of Communications
NASCAR
Will Kiss
Vice President of Communications
Las Vegas Raiders
Emilio Fernandez Peña
Professor and Director, Centre d’Estudis Olímpics i de l’Esport
Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona
Jordan Doyle
Director of Content and Social Media
Chicago White Sox