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 are designed to push a dialogue among academics, practitioners and students about the issues and trends that currently affect the sports industry.
Panel 1: Sports Media Literacy
Topic: How Do We Talk about College Sports Now?Panelists:
Steven Godfrey, columnist, The Washington Post
Dr. Nicky Lewis, associate professor, Indiana University
Cole Price, director, Advantage Center & NIL Partnerships, Crimson Tide Sports Marketing
Panel 2: Fantasy Sports and Sports Betting
Topic: What is the Connection between Fantasy Sports and Sports Betting?Panelists:
Eliot Crist, CEO, Fantasy Life
Dr. Brody Ruihley, associate professor, Miami University
Cruz Oxenreider, Viceroy Social Media Coordinator, Barstool Sports
Panel #3: Esports and Video Gaming
Topic: Are Video Games GOOD for You Now?Panelists:
Dr. Nick Bowman, associate professor, Syracuse University
Michael Chaves, professional esports player and owner, Status Quo
John Davidson, board chair, Esports Trade Association
Panel #4: Sport and Technology
Topic: How has Technology Changed the Fan Experience?Panelists:
Taryn Fink, manager of event marketing, NASCAR
Dr. Chad Goebert, assistant professor, Kennesaw State University
Alex Kopilow, account director, The Arena Group
Beyond Sports Initiative on The Paul Finebaum Show
Dr. Andrew Billings and Dr. Kenon A. Brown were guests on The Paul Finebaum Show on April 28, 2025 to talk about BSI and its first Alabama Report on Sports and Gaming.
Upcoming Events
ICIR Open House – September 2025 and February 2026
Alabama Summit on Sports and Gaming – Spring 2026
Ethical Communication Colloquium – Fall 2026