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.
2023 Entertainment & Sports Law Symposium
Friday, April 7
Symposium Schedule
8 a.m. – 9 a.m.
Check-in & Breakfast
9 a.m. – 10 a.m.
Keynote Address
Stephanie Allain, President, Producers Guild of America and Founder of Homegrown Pictures
10:15 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Panel One: The Athlete Entrepreneur
More than ever, athletes of all levels and across all sports are pursuing entrepreneurship. Through conversation with athlete entrepreneurs and athlete advisors, this panel will explore what it takes for an athlete to find success in business. Athletes will discuss what elements of their athletic careers primed them for success in business. The panel will also explore how attorneys and other advisors can best assist athletes in engaging and succeeding in entrepreneurship.
PANELISTS
Alana Beard, Former WNBA Athlete and Founder and CEO of Transition Play
Will Blackmon, Former NFL Athlete and Founder and CEO of The Wine MVP
Charles Frazier, Senior Vice President of Sports and Entertainment at City National Bank
Taylor Griffin, Former NBA player and Head of Athlete Relations at Patricof & Co
11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Lunch
12:45 p.m. – 2 p.m.
Panel Two: Sport League Start Ups
In recent years a flurry of new sport leagues have arisen in North America. This panel will engage executives and leaders of new and growing sport leagues to understand the strategies utilized to successfully scale an impactful sport brand. From women's sport leagues to pickleball, fan controlled gaming, basketball and beyond, panelists will examine the successes and challenges newly launched sport leagues face to highlight the business, technological and legal strategies employed to best situate new leagues for success.
PANELISTS
Brian Michael Cooper Esq., Partner at Frost Brown Todd and Former NBA G-League and XFL Team President
Patrick Dees, Co-Founder and Chief Gaming Officer at Fan Controlled Sports & Entertainment
Hilary Meyer, Senior Vice President of Impact at Athletes Unlimited
Paul Rabil, Co-founder of the Premier Lacrosse League and former professional lacrosse athlete
