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You’re Invited to the Sport United Conference This November!

In partnership with the Policy Studies Organization, we are proud to announce our first Sport United Conference, taking place from November 7-8. This free virtual conference is available to anyone around the world, and you can easily attend if you have an internet connection.

The Conference Will Include Stakeholders from All Sectors of Sports and Esports

As the sports industry continues to evolve at a rapid rate, the opportunity to meet to share knowledge and data, challenge norms, and discuss the latest trends shaping the sports and esports industries becomes even more pressing.

The Sport United Conference will bring together stakeholders from all sectors of sports and esports. Attendees will include academics, industry professionals, students and professional athletes.

Paul Rabil Will Be the Keynote Speaker at the Sport United Conference

Our keynote speaker for 2024 is Paul Rabil, co-founder of the Premier Lacrosse League (PLL). Paul’s journey from professional lacrosse player to sports entrepreneur is nothing short of inspiring. He’s a two-time World Lacrosse Champion, an MVP and a force for positive change through PLL Assists.

At the Sport United Conference, you will not only meet game changers like Paul Rabil, but you will be inspired to become a game changer.

The Sport United Conference Will Have Three Tracks

The Sport United Conference will have three main tracks designed to enable attendees to discuss some of the most important issues facing sports and esports today.

NIL and Amateurism Track

The Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) and Amateurism track covers a broad range of topics such as dealmaking, player relations, and ethical and legal concerns. It also includes brand building, athlete/parent preparations, esports scholarships/earnings, and the rise and change of institutional stakeholders.

After March Madness this year, countless athletes have entered the NCAA transfer portal seeking additional opportunities for NIL endorsements. As the questions surrounding NIL and amateurism continue to mount, this conference is our opportunity to share information and collaborate.  

Innovation: Technology and AI Track

Sports and esports are witnessing an explosion in the use of technology and AI. From training simulations to the creation of pitch decks facilitated by AI, the possibilities for athletes are truly endless.

However, we must also be cognizant of the nefarious use of tech and AI, which occurred in the hijacking of the North American Apex Legends Finals. Join us during the Sport United Conference as we discuss crucial questions such as:

  • How are you using technology and AI?
  • How can we increase capacity and improve performance?
  • How can we protect our sports/esports businesses from technological threats?

Coaching and Athlete Development Track

This track of the Sport United Conference focuses on coaching and athlete development practices across all areas of sports and esports, including training, leadership, well-being, and recruitment/retention. It is an opportunity to share best practices or to demonstrate/train attendees on new technologies that may improve the coaching or athlete experience.

For instance, we’ll delve into questions such as:

  • Esports programs often use a single coach to manage the coaching of multiple titles, but how does this practice impact player development?
  • Mental health has finally been brought to the forefront across all sports. How. How do we reduce the stereotypes that still exist, purporting that athletes should be able to “tough it out?”

We’re Also Seeking Presenters for the Sport United Conference

The Sport United Conference organizers are seeking presenters who are willing to help educate conference attendees. We encourage you to submit a proposal by our early acceptance deadline on June 1, 2024, so that you’ll have the opportunity to share your expertise.

If you’d like to present, you can do so in one of four ways:

  • Traditional presentation (25 minutes) – 20 minutes of presentation with a five-minute question-and-answer session
  • Panel (45 minutes) – 30 minutes of panel discussion with subject matter experts with a 15-minute question-and-answer session
  • Poster presentation (25 minutes) – submit a multimedia poster and be prepared to answer questions during the presentation
  • Training session or demo (45 minutes) –Train the audience in a particular area or demonstrate a new product, service, or software

Let’s shape the future of sports and esports together at the Sport United Conference on November 7 and 8. Remember, registration is free, so don’t wait – register today!

Brittany Jacobs

Dr. Brittany Jacobs is an Associate Professor and Department Chair for the Sports Management and Esports program at the University. She is highly involved in the Olympic & Paralympic movements and worked for USA Rugby before returning to academia. Much of her current research centers around officials and other marginalized populations providing a direct connection to her previous coaching and officiating experiences. Brittany earned her Ph.D. from the University of Northern Colorado in Sports & Exercise Science with a Doctoral Minor in Statistics. She also holds a master’s degree in sports management from the University of Texas, a master’s degree in secondary education from the University of New Hampshire, and a B.S. in kinesiology from the University of New Hampshire, where she also played collegiate field hockey.

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