ASU Global Sport Institute goes 'around the world' with digital programming

Although the current public health crisis has put in-person events in timeout, the need for communication and connection remains strong.

The Global Sport Institute at Arizona State University is taking this time to critically examine the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the world of sport. In order to understand how fans, athletes, academics, media, leagues and organizations are adjusting now and in the future, the Global Sport Institute is bringing conversations directly to audiences through a special report podcast series on GlobalSportMatters.com, and the new webinar series, "Around the World."

The Global Sport Institute invites participation in these and other conversations as we seek to understand why sport matters.

Thursday, April 2
Global Sport Matters podcast: "COVID-19 and the Impact on Sport"

COVID-19 is the rival no one in sport could prepare for or can defeat yet. Since mid-March, professional sports leagues around the world have either canceled their seasons all together or postponed them indefinitely. In this episode, Global Sport Institute CEO Kenneth L. Shropshire and award-winning columnist and Visiting Senior Practitioner for Global Sport Institute William C. Rhoden discuss the implications of this — from fanless arenas to player eligibility.

Guests for episode one include: Traci Green (head coach, Harvard women's tennis), Ray Anderson (athletic director, Sun Devil Athletics) and Grant Fogerty (ASU men's basketball player) to weigh in on these issues and share their personal experiences with canceled seasons and disappointed players, and how they plan to move forward next year. Professor Jules Boykoff (Pacific University) also joins the show to discuss why he encouraged the cancelation of this summer's Olympic games, and what that means for athletes and beyond.

Listen to the podcast on April 2 here.

Friday, April 3
"Around the World: COVID-19 and Sport"

Around the World is a live conversation series bringing diverse thought leaders and experts virtually together from around the world to present perspective on the most relevant issues in sport.

The global impact of COVID-19 has put a collective pause on the world of sport as we know it, and these unprecedented times will have a far-reaching impact long after the virus subsides. With the NCAA canceling championships, leagues halting seasons and Olympic athletes at the mercy of the growing pandemic, many questions linger. What impact has been felt thus far? And what should we brace ourselves for when sports make their eventual return? 

Moderated by Kenneth Shropshire, CEO of the Global Sport Institute, the rotation of guests will discuss what they’re facing locally, take questions and ideas from a virtual audience and share solutions that improve the world of sport. 

Among those joining the conversation:

• Ilhaam Groenewald, chief director of Maties Sports at Stellenbosch University and executive board member of South African Rugby Union
• Simon Chadwick, director of Eurasian Sport at Emlyon Business School
• Tracey Holmes, Australian journalist and presenter on ABC News Radio
• Andrés Martinez, Arizona State University professor of practice and journalist
• James Skinner, director for sports business at Loughborough University, London
• Natalie Welch, assistant professor for sports management and sports marketing at Linfield College, enrolled member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians
• Stephen F. Ross, director for Penn State Institute for Sports Law, Policy, and Research 

The first Around The World live webinar begins at 11 a.m. (2 p.m. ET). Please adjust for your local time.

RSVP here.

Wednesday, April 15
SXSW panel: "Empowering the Athlete in the Post-Sport Journey"

Global Sport Institute is bringing the SXSW 2020 panel discussion to Zoom. The online conversation, "Empowering the Athlete in the Post-Sport Journey," will be hosted at 1 p.m. (4 p.m. ET) Wednesday, April 15. Please adjust for your local time.

This panel will dive into the effects of career transition and what can be done to help athletes prepare for life outside of sport.

RSVP here. 

To stay up to date on future events and programming of the Global Sport Institute visit the website and follow Global Sport Institute on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn.