On October 21, Legends Of Sport host Andy Bernstein met with some of the biggest names in sports business at the inaugural Global Sports Business Forum, hosted by UCLA Anderson’s Center for Media, Entertainment, and Sports. The forum convened leading industry executives and athletes to exchange expertise and learn about innovative sports projects and current industry trends. Andy sat with guests to get a personal perspective on their corner of the sports universe, sharing stories and digging into the business of sports.
Felisa Israel, former NBA live programming and entertainment director, founder of IMPACT Learning Institute and co-owner of 10 Fold Entertainment, discussed her earliest inspirations, including Paula Hanson—one of the first female NBA leaders, beginnings in the NBA and entrepreneurship and plans for IMPACT and the Global Sports Business Forum. She reflected on her “spectacular” career and her current mission to create a young and highly prepared sport, media and entertainment workforce. John Harper, Chief Operating Officer of the Organizing Committee for the LA 2028 Olympic Games, celebrated the Olympic and Paralympic Games as part of the city’s “DNA,” the high concentration of athletic excellence in Southern California and the power of the city’s year-round live entertainment. He delineated plans for 2028 “to put on the most amazing and innovative experience,” harnessing the power of sport and diversity of LA to leave an impactful community legacy while collaborating with innovative facilities managers and past and current Olympians and Paralympians. Mitch Richmond, Naismith Memorial Hall of Fame NBA veteran and guest on the forum’s panel “Beyond the Court: How Athletes are Capturing Economic Opportunities,” reflected on earning the “Rock” nickname, victories with the iconic Run TMC trio (1989-1991 Warriors powerhouse Richmond, Tim Hardaway and Chris Mullin), revitalizing the trio in the virtual world, how early gaming led him to the virtual metaverse and his current ventures with his Planet Roc digital asset management brand. Jockey and web entrepreneur, Romero Maragh, discussed his innovations integrating horse racing and cryptocurrency through The Jockey Experience gamified NFT collection.
Hear from industry headliners Felisa Israel, Leigh Steinberg, Mitch Richmond, John Harper, Ryan Bishara, Jennifer Keene, Fabiola Torres, Jennifer Lau, Romero Maragh, Mike Bernstein and Jennifer van Dijk in this special Global Sports Business Forum edition of Legends Of Sport.
