Insights for the Future of Sports Media
The Beyond Sports Initiative is the Institute for Communication and Information Research’s sport and gaming think tank. BSI serves as the bridge between emerging sports practitioners and an industry that will increasingly depend on their expertise to move forward. Our mission is to provide data-driven insights to current and future sport scholars and practitioners so they can adapt and thrive in a changing, global sport and gaming environment. As a unique academic research collaborative, BSI directly works with leaders in the sports industry to identify, investigate and influence the issues that are important to the field.
BSI has identified four priority areas in sport and gaming that will help educate the next generation of sport practitioners:
- Sport Media Literacy
- Sport and Technology
- Esports and Video Gaming
- Fantasy Sports and Sports Betting
Alabama Summit on Sports and Gaming
BSI’s first Alabama Summit on Sports and Gaming was held on February 29, 2024. The summit featured panels dedicated to timely topics centered around the four priority areas. Panels were designed to push a dialogue among academics, practitioners and students about the issues and trends that currently affect the sports industry.
Alabama Report on Sports and Gaming
BSI’s Alabama Report on Sports and Gaming advances research by collecting “state of the industry” projects, measuring perception, opinion and behavior related to the topics discussed during last year’s Alabama Summit on Sports and Gaming. The report serves as a guide to some of the trends discussed during the summit, and a springboard for future conversations.
BSI Advisory Board
BSI is managed by two initiative directors within the ICIR and an advisory board consisting of both academic and industry representatives.
Co-Managing Directors
Dr. Andrew Billings, Ronald Reagan Chair of Broadcasting
Dr. Kenon A. Brown, director, Institute for Communication and Information Research
Board Members
Ashley Atwell, vice president, NBA Social and Emerging Media
Pamela Chvotkin, freelance production and event manager
Jordan Doyle, senior manager of social media, Chicago White Sox
Dr. Brandon Harris, assistant professor, Department of Journalism and Creative Media
Randall Huffaker, instructor, Department of Advertising and Public Relations
Dr. Jihoon Kim, assistant professor, Department of Advertising and Public Relations
Mike Little, instructor, Department of Advertising and Public Relations
Matt Nordby, managing director of communications, NASCAR
Dr. Sean Sadri, assistant professor, Department of Journalism and Creative Media
Megan Van Petten, executive director, Esports Trade Association