The Chapman University Dale E. Fowler School of Law Entertainment and Sports Law Society hosts an annual symposium focusing on the field of sports and entertainment law. The symposium covers substantive areas of law such as intellectual property, contract law, labor law, anti-trust law, and corporate finance. The Entertainment and Sports Law Society endeavors to educate its members on the relevant legal issues that accompany this rigorous practice area. By organizing symposia, the society seeks to work with individuals and organizations within the profession and provide information and assistance concerning potential employment opportunities.
2022 Entertainment & Sports Law Symposium
Friday, April 8
Held virtually via Zoom
Symposium Schedule
Keynote Address (10:30 - 11:30 a.m.)
Kevin Beggs, Chair of the Lionsgate Television Group and Chief Content Integration Officer
Panel 1 - College Athlete Rights: The Way Forward (11:45 a.m. - 1 p.m.)
On July 1, 2021, following more than a decade of federal litigation and numerous states enacting legislation, college athletes gained the right to financially benefit from their name, image and likeness. This panel will explore the new pathways of opportunities this right has created for college athletes. Beyond income generation, the panel will also explore how name, image and likeness can generate greater fan interest in college sport, particularly for womens' and Olympic sports. The panel will also analyze what is next legally for securing expanded rights for college athletes.
Panelists
- Amanda Beard, Seven-time Olympic medalist (swimming); founder of Beard Swim Co.
- Kristi Dosh, Attorney; founder of Business of College Sports
- Talanoa Hufanga, Safety, San Francisco 49ers
- Chris Murphy, U.S. Senator from Connecticut
- April Ross, Three-time Olympic medalist (beach volleyball)
- Damien Wilkins, NBA veteran; Dean of Athlete Experience and Culture at Overtime Elite
Panel 2 - Creative Disruption: Examining the NFT Landscape (1:15 - 2:30 p.m.)
Blockchain technology has allowed for the creation of a new mode of art, known as non-fungible tokens or "NFTs." The sport and entertainment industries have been trailblazers in the adoption and proliferation of the NFT marketplace, utilizing the digital art form to attract new fans and cement established consumers' loyalties. Further, athletes and entertainers have turned to NFTs not only as an income generating opportunity, but as an entrepreneurial endeavor. This panel will explore how leaders in sport and entertainment are engaging in the NFT space to secure their futures amidst the rise of Web3. The panel will also examine important legal considerations this rapidly emerging and growing industry faces.
Panelists
- Michael Carter-Williams - NBA point guard
- Lauren Gibbs - Olympic medalist (bobsledding)
- Don Ho (JD '06) - Attorney; founder of blockchainlaw.xyz
- Cassius Marsh, NFL veteran; founder, Cash Cards Unlimited
- Renee Montgomery, Two-time WNBA Champion; Co-Owner of the Atlanta Dream
