COLLEGE PARK, Md. – The Shirley Povich Center for Sports Journalism at the University of Maryland’s Philip Merrill College of Journalism presents its 18th Annual Povich Symposium, which will feature NBA Commissioner Adam Silver and Monumental Sports and Entertainment CEO Ted Leonsis.
This year’s Povich Symposium, titled “The Future of the NBA,” will feature two panels. The conversations will take place Friday, Nov. 17 beginning at 5 p.m. at Riggs Alumni Center on the University of Maryland campus. The event also will be streamed live on the Merrill College YouTube and Facebook pages.
The first panel, which takes a management perspective, will feature:
>> Adam Silver, NBA commissioner since 2014. He was previously NBA deputy commissioner.
>> Ted Leonsis, founder, chairman and CEO of Monumental Sports & Entertainment, owner of the Washington Wizards, Washington Capitals and Washington Mystics.
The discussion will be moderated by John Ourand '89, a media reporter for Sports Business Journal and co-host of “The Sports Media Podcast.”
The second panel, which takes a media perspective, will feature:
>> David Aldridge, a senior columnist for The Athletic, who has covered the NBA for nearly 30 years.
>> Frank Isola '87, who has covered the NBA for 25 years and appears regularly on ESPN's “Around The Horn” and “Pardon the Interruption.”
>> Ava Wallace, a beat reporter for The Washington Post, covering the Washington Wizards.
The discussion will be moderated by Kevin Blackistone, Merrill College professor of the practice and a columnist for The Washington Post.
“For nearly two decades, the symposium has been a national forum for conversation about timely issues touching sports, race, gender, politics, business and technology. This year's event follows that tradition," said Mark Hyman, Merrill College’s George Solomon Chair in Sports Journalism and director of the Povich Center. "We're pleased to host two of the most prominent decision-makers in sports in Adam Silver and Ted Leonsis and a panel of respected journalists covering the NBA.”
The first panel will begin promptly at 5 p.m. with the second to immediately follow. At the conclusion of both conversations, a reception will be held in the lobby of Riggs Alumni Center. Heavy hors d'oeuvres, wine, beer and nonalcoholic beverages will be served at the reception.
The Povich Symposium is free and open to the public, but registration is required and seating is limited. REGISTER: go.umd.edu/18thPovichSymposium
For more information, contact Kaitlyn Wilson, assistant director, Shirley Povich Center for Sports Journalism: kcwilson@umd.edu; 301-405-4605.
About The Shirley Povich Center for Sports Journalism:
The Shirley Povich Center for Sports Journalism prepares students to be innovators and leaders in all facets of sports media. The center's unique, experiential curriculum and public programs elevate and amplify discussion of race, gender, politics and the world — just as Shirley Povich did each morning in The Washington Post.