Experts Discuss the Future of Sports Coverage in Media

More than 100 Montclair State University alumni, friends, students and sports and media industry professionals gathered at the Paley Center for Media in New York City on February 17 for a reception and a panel discussion: The Future of Sports Coverage in Media.

Organized by the School of Communication and Media as the inaugural event in a series of panel discussions focusing on the evolving role of the media in sports journalism, the discussion highlighted the role and direction of sports coverage in society today and what aspects remain relevant to the fans and profitable for stakeholders.

“The purpose of this event is to further engage our School, our faculty and our students in the events of the day in New York City,” said School of Communication and Media Director Merrill Brown in his welcome remarks. “In this case, our topic is sports media and where it’s going – a topic of great discussion right now as we read about athletes in the news.”

Sports and media industry leaders formed the panel, which was moderated by Montclair State’s Assistant Professor of Sports Media and Journalism Kelly Whiteside. Featured panelists were Val Ackerman, commissioner of the Big East Conference; Harvey Araton, sports reporter and columnist for The New York Times; Felix Alvarez-Garmon, SVP of Latin America, Mexico and U.S. Hispanic for IMG Media; and Andrew Hawkins, a wide receiver for the NFL’s Cleveland Browns. 

The event brought together the industry’s leaders and innovators, including commissioners, owners, players, commentators and journalists, and provided a forum for them to discuss the business of sports, assess the state of sports journalism and the talk about the issues at stake behind the money flowing into the game.

It also provided an opportunity for some hands-on experience for students from the School of Communication and Media who recorded the event and created a video of the proceedings. The video is available for viewing online. 

“Important events like the Future of Sports Coverage in Media panel held at the Paley Center serve multiple purposes for our students,” says Associate Director of Broadcast and Media Operations Patricia Piroh ’88, ’92 MA, who oversaw the production. “They provide up-to-date information from respected, recognized professionals, while giving television and digital media students an opportunity to use the production skills they’ve learned through the media coverage of the event. It’s a win-win for students!”

A reception followed the panel discussion and guests were able to network with each other and meet the panelists. Photos from the panel and reception are available for viewing in the photo gallery.