Seth Davis to headline 2026 Sport Management Symposium on the future of live sports media

Award-winning sports writer and broadcaster Seth Davis will headline Elon University’s upcoming Sport Management Symposium, bringing decades of national media experience to campus for a keynote conversation on the evolving world of live sports coverage.

The symposium will take place Wednesday, Feb. 25, from 4:15 to 6:30 p.m. in Turner Theatre, and will explore how live sports are being reshaped across broadcast, cable and streaming platforms — and what those shifts mean for the future of the industry

Davis, a longtime fixture on CBS Sports’ studio coverage of college basketball and the NCAA Tournament, is widely regarded as one of the most influential voices in sports media. He is also the founder of Hoops HQ, a full-scale media company devoted to serving hard-core college basketball fans, further positioning him at the intersection of traditional sports broadcasting and emerging digital media models.

Since 2004, Davis has combined on-air analysis with deep reporting and storytelling, offering insight into both the games themselves and the broader forces transforming sports media.

In addition to his broadcasting career, Davis spent 22 years as a writer for Sports Illustrated and currently serves as managing editor for college basketball at The Athletic. He is the author of five books, including New York Times best-sellers “Wooden: A Coach’s Life and When March Went Mad: The Game Transformed Basketball.” His most recent book, “Getting to Us: How Great Coaches Make Great Teams,” examines leadership through in-depth profiles of elite coaches and introduces the PEAK framework — Persistence, Empathy, Authenticity and Knowledge — as a blueprint for building successful teams

A former stand-up comedian who once performed throughout New York City, Davis brings a distinctive voice and perspective shaped by storytelling, humor and a deep understanding of sports culture. He currently lives in Los Angeles with his wife, three sons and their Goldendoodle, Clarence.

Hosted by the Department of Sport Management, the annual symposium connects students with leading professionals to examine real-world trends influencing sports, media and fan engagement. Past keynote presenters include Jim Phillips, ACC commissioner; Steve Phelps, NASCAR president; and DeMaurice Smith, former executive director of the NFL Players Association.