Industry Leaders Adam Silver, Val Ackerman, Billy Bean, Marc De Grandpre, Wyc Grousbeck, Stephen M. Ross, Sam Kennedy, Dikembe Mutombo, Among Many Other Key Influencers to Examine the Integral Role Sports Play in Social Responsibility
Industry Leaders Adam Silver, Val Ackerman, Billy Bean, Marc De Grandpre, Wyc Grousbeck, Stephen M. Ross, Sam Kennedy, Dikembe Mutombo, Among Many Other Key Influencers to Examine the Integral Role Sports Play in Social Responsibility
Sharlee Jeter, President, Turn 2 Foundation, and Kathy Behrens, President, Social Responsibility and Player Programs, NBA, to be Acknowledged With Social Responsibility in Sports Award
Just as public companies are accountable to their shareholders, professional sports leagues and teams also are accountable to their fans, stakeholders, and the media as to how they address issues of social responsibility. To explore this emerging field, the NYU School of Professional Studies (NYUSPS) Tisch Institute for Sports Management, Media, and Business will bring together key decision-makers and industry professionals for its groundbreaking Social Responsibility of Sports (SRS) Conference on the afternoon of March 14, 2016.
Top leaders from major sports leagues, the media, legal and financial firms, and nonprofit organizations will engage in an open dialogue about building SRS programs that serve the common good and that are truly relevant to businesses, fans, and the public at large. “This conference brings together some of the most high profile and knowledgeable leaders in the sports industry and beyond to discuss a critical topic that is changing the way we do business. We are very grateful to have many key influencers participating in this extremely important discussion,” noted Tony Ponturo, conference chair and director of industry relations, NYUSPS Tisch Institute.
“Sports reflect values that shape human society, and our mission is to enable sports to serve society in the best way possible,” stated Arthur R. Miller, associate dean and director of the NYUSPS Tisch Institute, and founder and chairman of NYUSPS Sports and Society. “This conference provides an excellent forum for the sports world to share its views and thinking on social responsibility in sports and to partake in honest discourse about the ways in which it can develop strategies that lead to societal change.”
Adam Silver, commissioner of the National Basketball Association (NBA), will serve as the opening keynote speaker for the Conference. He will talk about the importance of SRS and how it is not only good business but also the right thing to do.
The conference will feature four panel discussions—How Will Team Executives Lead the Social Responsibility of Sports?; Public Policy: When Do Sports Leagues, Teams, and Organizations Get Involved?; Agents of Change; and The Voice of the Next Generation; as well as a research presentation and an awards ceremony.
Noted panelists include Val Ackerman, commissioner, The BIG EAST Conference; Billy Bean, vice president for social responsibility and inclusion, Major League Baseball; Marc De Grandpre, general manager, New York Red Bulls; Wyc Grousbeck, managing partner, governor, chief executive officer, and co-owner, Boston Celtics; Stephen M. Ross, chairman of the board and managing general partner, Miami Dolphins; Sam Kennedy, executive vice president and chief operating officer, Boston Red Sox, among others (see below for complete details).
The NYUSPS Tisch Institute also will recognize the NBA for its efforts in integrating SRS into its daily internal operations and in its work with stakeholders and outside communities. Kathy Behrens, president of Social Responsibility and Player Programs for the NBA, will accept the Social Responsibility of Sports Leadership Award on behalf of the league. The Award will be presented to her by NBA Global Ambassador Dikembe Mutombo. Sharlee Jeter, president of the Turn 2 Foundation, will accept the Social Responsibility of Sports Impact Award on behalf of the Foundation, which was established by NY Yankees shortstop, Derek Jeter, to promote healthy lifestyles among youth. Wayne McDonnell, academic chair and clinical associate professor at the NYUSPS Tisch Institute, will present the Award.
For the complete conference agenda and/or to register, visit sps.nyu.edu/tischinstitute/srs.
For members of the press wishing to attend this event, please contact Cheryl Feliciano, 212-992-9103, cheryl.feliciano@nyu.edu; or Alka Gupta, 212-998-7263, aag13@nyu.edu.
Contact nyutischsports@nyu.edu or call 212-992-9091 for additional conference information.
Contributions from sponsor organizations will provide student scholarships and will support the academic programs of the NYUSPS Tisch Institute for Sports Management, Media, and Business.
For inquiries about sponsorship opportunities, please contact Sonal Pande at sonal.pande@nyu.edu or call 212-998-6961.
Conference Panels and Awards
NYUSPS Tisch Institute Welcome
- Arthur R. Miller, CBE, Associate Dean and Director, NYU School of Professional Studies Tisch Institute for Sports Management, Media, and Business; Founder and Chairman, NYU School of Professional Studies Sports and Society
Conference Chair’s Opening Remarks
- Tony Ponturo, Director of Industry Relations, NYU School of Professional Studies Tisch Institute for Sports Management, Media, and Business; CEO, Ponturo Management Group
Keynote Address
- Adam Silver, Commissioner, National Basketball Association
Panel 1 - How Will Team Executives Lead the Social Responsibility of Sports?
- Marc De Grandpre, General Manager, New York Red Bulls
- Wyc Grousbeck, Managing Partner, Governor, CEO, and Co-Owner, Boston Celtics
- Sam Kennedy, President, Boston Red Sox
- Tanya Mruck, Director, Operations, Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment
- Stephen M. Ross, Chairman of the Board and Managing Partner, Miami Dolphins
Panel 2 - Public Policy: When Do Sports Leagues, Teams, and Organizations Get Involved?
- Arthur R. Miller, CBE, Associate Dean and Director, NYU School of Professional Studies Tisch Institute for Sports Management, Media, and Business; Founder and Chairman, NYU School of Professional Studies Sports and Society (moderator)
- Val Ackerman, JD, Commissioner, The BIG EAST Conference
- Charles Baker, JD, Partner, DLA Piper (US)
- Brian Ellner, JD, Executive Vice President, Group Head; Public Affairs, New York, Edelman
- Domonique Foxworth, Former President, National Football League Players Association
- Pat LaFontaine, Vice President for Development and Community Affairs, National Hockey League; Hockey Hall of Fame Inductee
- John Sexton, PhD, JD, President Emeritus, New York University
NYUSPS Tisch Sports Institute Research Presentation: “Defining Social Responsibility in Sports: What Is It? How Does It Work? Where Do We Go From Here?”
Highlights from NYUSPS Tisch Institute’s groundbreaking research project in professional sports with the NFL, NBA/WNBA, MLB, NHL, MLS, NASCAR, PGA Tour, and LPGA
- Sam Marchiano, Conference Research Chair; Adjunct Instructor, NYU School of Professional Studies Tisch Institute for Sports Management, Media, and Business (presenter)
Panel 3 - Voices of the Next Generation
- Kostya Kennedy, Award-Winning American Sportswriter; Clinical Assistant Professor, NYU School of Professional Studies Tisch Institute for Sports Management, Media, and Business (moderator)
- Harrie Bakst (NYUSPS ‘07), Partner, Weinstein Carnegie Philanthropic Group
- Colleen Doran (NYUSPS ‘09), Development Coordinator, Harlem RBI
- Felicia Ganthier, Manager, Community Relations, New York Rangers
- Fran Kirmser, Producer
- Doug Smoyer, Vice President, Business Development, National Football League; Adjunct Instructor, NYU School of Professional Studies Tisch Institute for Sports Management, Media, and Business
NYU School of Professional Studies Tisch Institute for Sports Management, Media, and Business Social Responsibility in Sports Leadership Award
Presented to the National Basketball Association
- Kathy Behrens, President, Social Responsibility and Player Programs, National Basketball Association
- Dikembe Mutombo, NBA Global Ambassador; 2015 Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Inductee (presenter)
NYU School of Professional Studies Tisch Institute for Sports Management, Media, and Business Social Responsibility in Sports Impact Award
Presented to the Turn 2 Foundation
- Sharlee Jeter, President, Turn 2 Foundation
- Wayne McDonnell, Academic Chair and Clinical Associate Professor, NYU School of Professional Studies Tisch Institute for Sports Management, Media, and Business; Co-Director, NYU School of Professional Studies Sports and Society
Panel 4 - NYU School of Professional Studies Sports and Society Presents: Agents of Change
- Carl Quintanilla, Anchor, CNBC’s Squawk on the Street and Squawk Alley; Correspondent, HBO’s Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel (moderator)
- Billy Bean, Vice President for Social Responsibility and Inclusion, Major League Baseball
- Sharlee Jeter, President, Turn 2 Foundation
- Dikembe Mutombo, NBA Global Ambassador; 2015 Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Inductee
- David Nelson, CEO and Co-Founder, i’mME; Player, National Football League
For the complete conference agenda and/or to register, visit sps.nyu.edu/tischinstitute/srs.
About the NYU School of Professional Studies Tisch Institute for Sports Management, Media, and Business
Recent innovations in global sports consumption, the use of online and social media to engage and to build a fan base, and the implementation of redesigned sports business models, have resulted in a range of issues and opportunities for individuals working in the sports industry. Successful professionals in this field now need to understand strategic business principles as they apply to different aspects of the global sports industry.
Through interdisciplinary curricula, field internships, alumni-student mentorship, applied research, individualized degree advisement, a dedicated and accomplished advisory board, and faculty members who are experts in their fields, the NYU School of Professional Studies Tisch Institute for Sports Management, Media, and Business provides the pathway to help students meet their professional goals in the sports business industry.
The Tisch Institute's graduate and undergraduate programs, and Career Advancement courses provide a top-notch education and the opportunity to meet and to network with industry leaders. Its location in New York, home to more sports teams, leagues, and media outlets than any other metro area in the country, offers the perfect setting for gaining a comprehensive overview of the complexities of the business. The Institute’s renowned, highly attended professional conferences and events provide an unparalleled opportunity to learn from leaders in their fields. For more information, visit sps.nyu.edu/tischinstitute.
About the NYU School of Professional Studies
Established in 1934, the NYU School of Professional Studies (sps.nyu.edu) is one of NYU’s several degree-granting schools and colleges, each with a unique academic profile. The reputation of the School of Professional Studies arises from its place as the NYU home for study and applied research related to key knowledge-based industries where the New York region leads globally. This is manifest in the School’s diverse graduate, undergraduate, and noncredit programs in fields such as Accounting, Finance, and Law; Applied Politics; Creative Cities and Economic Development; English-Language Learning; Fundraising and Grantmaking; Global Affairs; Health Information Management; Hospitality and Tourism Management; Human Resource Management and Development; Languages and Humanities; Management and Systems; Marketing and Marketing Analytics; Professional Writing; Project Management; Public Relations and Corporate Communication; Publishing; Real Estate, Real Estate Development, and Construction Management; Social Entrepreneurship; Sports Management, Media, and Business; and Translation.
More than 100 distinguished full-time faculty members collaborate with an exceptional cadre of practitioner/adjunct faculty members and lecturers to create vibrant professional and academic networks that annually attract nearly 5,000 degree-seeking students from around the globe. In addition, the School fulfills the recurrent professional education needs of local, national, and international economies, as evidenced by close to 36,000 Professional Pathways enrollments in Career Advancement Courses, Diploma Programs, workshops, and seminars. The School’s community is enriched by more than 30,000 degree-holding alumni worldwide, many of whom serve as mentors, guest speakers, and advisory board members. For more information about the NYU School of Professional Studies, visit sps.nyu.edu.