Sports leaders will talk business

NEWS 9

Some influential sports business leaders will be at the Oklahoma City University to talk to members of the local business community about the business side of sports.

The conference will be held during the next Boardroom Briefing and luncheon at Oklahoma City University's Meinders School of Business.

"The Business of Sports" will begin at 8 a.m. Jan. 31 in the Kerr McGee Auditorium.

University of Oklahoma Athletic Director Joe Castiglione will join Nona Lee, general counsel of the Arizona Diamondbacks; Clay Bennett, one of the principals of the Seattle SuperSonics; ESPN sports commentator and Olympic Champion Bart Conner; Tim Brassfield, executive director of the OKC All Sports Association; Berry Tramel, sports journalist for The Oklahoman; and Rob Krier, general manager of KWTV-NEWS 9.

Presentations will address the costs of owning a team, player salaries, making a career move from athlete to network commentary and media costs of sporting events.

Meinders School of Business Dean Vincent Orza said participants will gain insight on the business and financial side of the sporting industry.

"We'll have presentations on the NBA, Major League baseball, network sports, collegiate athletics and media," Orza said. "Our keynote speaker, Joe Castiglione, is nationally renowned in collegiate athletics and oversees a business and budget larger than many American companies. Attendees will find this to be one of the most informative and entertaining conferences they've ever attend."

Everyone is invited. Tickets to the briefing and luncheon can be purchased for $25.  For more information, call Melissa Cory at 208-5540 or mcory@okcu.edu.