Seth Davis and Industry Leaders Discuss Evolving Live Sports Business

The 2026 Sport Management Symposium brought together media executives, conference leaders, and content creators to chat about how the landscape of sports media is changing thanks to streaming platforms, advertising models, and evolving audience habits. CBS Sports analyst Seth Davis headlined the event, diving into a lively conversation about the shifting world of live sports.

During the symposium, which took place in the Turner Theatre, Davis virtually joined in the discussion due to a blizzard in the Northeast throwing a wrench in his travel plans. He and Assistant Professor Bill Squadron explored how live sports are adapting across broadcast, cable, and streaming platforms, and what these adjustments mean for fans, leagues, and networks.

Davis dove into how digital disruption, NIL, and legalized sports betting are shaking up the industry, emphasizing that good storytelling is still at the heart of sports media. He touched on the importance of adaptability and strong reporting in a world filled with podcasts and commentary, urging aspiring professionals to focus on credibility and expertise.

Expert panels at the symposium tackled topics like league TV rights strategies, technology’s role in streaming sports content, and the impact of tech companies on the sports rights marketplace. Panelists stressed the importance of reach, revenue, and compelling storytelling in today’s ever-changing media landscape, while also highlighting how technology and streaming platforms are reshaping sports media careers.

Throughout the symposium, the message for students preparing to enter the industry was clear: adaptability matters, but credibility and expertise are key. Live sports are still a major driver of audience engagement, and the ability to tell a good story remains at the heart of sports media, no matter how much the industry evolves.