Student-led sports business conference brings industry leaders to campus

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Students interested in careers in sports gathered for a day of insight and networking as the Illini Sports Business Conference hosted its annual 'ILLuminate the Future of Sports' event on the University of Illinois campus. The conference featured speakers from across the sports industry, including college athletics administrators, media professionals, agents and former student-athletes, offering attendees a broad look at career paths in the field.

Why it matters

The event aims to give students direct access to industry professionals and real-world perspectives, helping them better understand the wide range of opportunities available in the sports business world. As the sports industry continues to evolve, events like this provide valuable networking and learning experiences for the next generation of sports business leaders.

The details

The conference opened with remarks from student organizers and university leadership, followed by a keynote panel that included Illinois head football coach Bret Bielema, senior athletics administrator Bobbi Busboom and Madison Industries CEO Larry Gies. Breakout sessions throughout the day allowed attendees to tailor their experience, with panels focused on sports medicine, media and content creation, and scouting and analytics. A networking lunch featured CampusInk and The NIL Store CEO Steven Farag, who spoke about branding opportunities for student-athletes and the continued expansion of NIL in college sports. Afternoon sessions shifted to sports broadcasting and athlete representation, followed by discussions with former student-athletes and professionals working in business operations.

• The conference took place on April 10, 2026.