SAEM Next! Session on Sports

The SAEM Next! session on sports on June 17, 2020 featured:

• Jared Kramer, associate director of Championships & Alliances, NCAA
• Patty Paytas Salerno, senior vice president of community affairs and Pirates Charities, Pittsburgh Pirates
• James Santilli, senior vice president of marketing, Pittsburgh Penguins
• Steve Swetoha, president of Greensboro Swarm, Hornets Sports and Entertainment

It was an interesting one-hour of discussion addressing the following sports industry related questions:

• Some studies have shown that 25% of sports fans don’t want to go back to sports events right away. When will we return to having sports events and live events that we are used to?
• What are some of the challenges facing the sports industry in regards to preparing facilities, social distancing, etc., and how are you attempting to convince fans that it is safe to return to your events?
• What have you been doing to stay connected to your fans?
• What words of encouragement can be offered to our students and alumni regarding job opportunities that may exist after the pandemic is over?

The sports session was moderated by SAEM Assistant Professor and Chair Robert Derda, M.S., and assisted by co-moderator and SAEM student-athlete Juwan Willis '21.

View upcoming SAEM Next! sessions.

Learn more

Contact SAEM Assistant Professor and Chair Robert Derda, M.S., at rderda@pointpark.edu to learn more about the sports, arts and entertainment management major at Point Park University.