Trailblazers discuss pandemic’s toll on sports and entertainment industries

April 02, 2021 9:45 AM

Clockwise: Industry leaders and alumni who led panels at the conference included Kevin Yorn (L'90), Founding Partner of the Morris Yorn Barnes Levine Entertainment Law Firm; Jeff Frost (L’89), President of Sony Pictures Television Studios; and Prof. Gabe Feldman, Director of the Tulane Sports Law Program.

The annual Tulane Entertainment and Sports Law Conference – where Hollywood and sports titans discuss challenges in their respective industries – took place virtually this year with three sessions that explored the COVID-19 pandemic’s impact on sports and Hollywood.

The April 1 event, which came in place of the annual conference that normally runs two days and hosts dozens of the biggest names in sports and entertainment law, explored the powerful forces disrupting and remaking the industries.

The first panel was a conversation with Kevin Yorn (L '90), Founding Partner of the Morris Yorn Barnes Levine Entertainment Law Firm (which represents such Hollywood celebrities as Ellen DeGeneres, Scarlett Johansson, and the creators of South Park) and Anthony Zuiker, creator of the CSI: Crime Scene Investigation franchise. It can be viewed here.

A second panel featured Christina Francis, President of Magic Johnson Enterprises and Greg Bensel (UC '85), Senior Vice President of Communications and Broadcasting for the New Orleans Saints and Pelicans, led by Prof. Gabe Feldman, Director of Tulane's Sports Law Program. It can be viewed here.

The final panel saw President of Sony Pictures Television Studios, Jeff Frost (L '89), discussing the impact of COVID on the television business with Dawn Steinberg, Executive Vice-President Worldwide Talent & Casting for Sony Pictures Television, Karen Tatevosian, Executive Vice-President of Business Affairs for Sony Pictures Television, Carlos W. Williams, Executive Vice-President of Business Affairs and and Operations at 20th Television and Freeform, and Sam Lerner, Actor, well known for his role as Geoff Schwartz on The Goldbergs. It can be viewed here.

This year, the emphasis was the nation’s response to the pandemic and social justice movements, which have cemented conversations in both industries. The conference explored such issues as new technologies and distribution channels to virtual reality and a melding of sports, media, and entertainment content.

In past years, it has highlighted those representing talent – from sports agents to those whose clients are some of the best known in Hollywood.

View all sessions here, here and here.