CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – The eighth annual UNC Sports + Entertainment Summit hosted by UNC Athletics, Wasserman and the UNC Exercise and Sport Science (EXSS) Department celebrated its first-ever sellout last month as it drew more than 250 attendees eager to learn, connect and network within the sports and entertainment industry.
The Sports Summit, born out of a partnership between Carolina Athletics and Wasserman, started in 2018 with the goal of bringing together top-tier professionals from the sport and entertainment industries—who are also exclusively Carolina alumni—to connect with students and each other about the sports and entertainment industry. In 2019, the Summit joined forces with the Department of Exercise and Sport Science’s Sport Administration department.
“The UNC Sports & Entertainment Summit remains one of the true highlights of my year,” said Will Pleasants, Wasserman’s Managing Executive for the U.S. and Mexico. “Now in its eighth year, I’m especially proud that the Summit exclusively features UNC alumni, showcasing the depth, breadth and excellence of our community to current students who are eager to follow in their footsteps. It is exciting to see a culture emerging in the Carolina community with a passion for this industry, and it is wonderful to see so many students networking, gaining internship experience and becoming the next generation of leaders.”
This year’s featured speakers included a variety of Carolina alumni from different positions across the industry, including: Darcy Macri (Nike), Jackson Phillips (Atairos), Dan Gill (BMG), Andy Galdi (Teamworks), Annette Parker (Eastside Golf), Taylor Vippolis (Stugotz and Company Podcast), Kim Stone (Washington Spirit), Illana Finley (LIV Golf) and Bill Stratton (Snowflake & Time Warner/Turner Sports).
Stratton led an all-session talking about “Artificial Intelligence and Sports,” diving into the impact that AI is gaining in all aspects of sports and music organizations. Finley, Stone and Parker conducted an all-session about “Reimaging Sports and Organizations,” sharing their experiences as trailblazing women in the industry. Gill closed the event’s all-session series with “Music as an Entertainment Business,” offering insights into the evolution of the music industry over his 30-year career.
Breakout sessions included, “Data & Analytics in Sports” led by Galdi, “Sports Media” led by Vippolis, “Brand Strategy” led by Macri and “Private Equity in Sports” led by Phillips.
The event concluded with a networking fair, which welcomed over 20 organizations that spoke about their core values and shared internship opportunities. Student-athletes from football, field hockey, men’s tennis, men’s lacrosse and rowing were in attendance.
The UNC Sport and Entertainment Summit will return in fall 2026 with a new lineup of featured Carolina alumni speakers and panelists. For more information visit: uncsesummit.com.
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