Sports Media Summit

5 students in CU Boulder's Folsom Field press box. Three students are standing, commentating the game and 2 others are on their computers, making graphics.
4 CU Student writers smile as they sit in a CU Football press conference among professional writers and cameramen.
A CMDI student in a pink shirt speaks into a microphone at the sports media summit, surrounded by her peers.
Five industry professionals sit on a panel at the Sports Media Summit.

2026 CMDI Sports Media Summit

The Future of Sports Business and Careers

Presented by the College of Communication, Media, Design and Information

  March 5–6, 2026
  Location: Touchdown Club, Folsom Field

Join us for a focused, high-energy two-day event designed to connect CU Boulder students, alumni, faculty, and the Colorado sports and media community. Expect candid discussions on industry trends, career pathways, emerging technologies and networking.

* Additional panelists to be announced

Thursday, March 5 – Opening Night – 4 to 6 p.m.

  • Kickoff panel and more
  • Panel: Follow the Money! – The New World of Money in College Sports
    • Tad Boyle, Head Coach, CU Buffaloes Men’s Basketball
    • Casey Schwab, President & Founding Partner, Pathway Sports & Entertainment
    • Blake Lawrence, Founder, Opendorse
    • Moderator: Dave Briggs, sports journalist, formerly with CNN and NBC Sports

Friday, March 6 – Main Program

  • 8 a.m. to 9 a.m.  Registration/networking/coffee
  • 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.  Program and panel discussions
  • 12 to 1 p.m.  Lunch/networking
  • 1 to 3 p.m.  Program and panel discussions
Panels will include:
  • Media in Motion: Meeting the Fans Where They Are
    • Tom McGovern, President, Optimum Sports
    • Bennett Spector, EVP & General Manager, Bleacher Report
    • Moderator: Neal Scarborough, VP & GM, Marketplace (American Public Media)
  • Colorado sports facilities
    • Nick Garvin, CEO, Mobile TV Group (MTVG)
    • Kartik Dakshinamoorthy, President & Co-Owner, Devlin Design Group
  • Jobs in Sports – Finding Your Way
    • Cassidy Davis, Corporate Partnerships Coordinator, Seattle Seahawks
    • Justin Adams, Sports/news reporter, CBS Colorado
  • Speed-Networking Lunch – Meet the Experts! This is the event’s prime networking moment: a dedicated, structured lunch where students get face-to-face time with panelists and industry pros in small groups. Organized by career focus areas, it’s your chance to ask burning questions, make real connections, get candid career advice, and stand out to the people actually hiring and shaping the industry.
Matan Coll stands and gestures with his hands while speaking to Bennet Spector.