Tulane Law to Host Annual Sports Law Conference April 10-11, Desmond Howard to Keynote
The 9th Annual Tulane Entertainment & Sports Law Conference is scheduled to return to the Tulane University Law School campus April 10–11, featuring former Heisman Trophy winner and Super Bowl MVP Desmond Howard as the keynote speaker.
The event, co-presented by the Tulane Law School and the Tulane Center for Sport, will be held at John Giffen Weinmann Hall in Uptown New Orleans. The conference remains free of charge and is open to the public, including students, alumni, and industry professionals. Prospective attendees can register here: https://centerforsport.wufoo.com/forms/wl0bxjx0f3ram8/
High-Stakes Programming
The 2026 schedule focuses on the rapidly evolving legal and business intersection of the sports and entertainment industries. Key discussion topics include:
- Athlete Representation and NIL: Panels will examine the latest shifts in Name, Image, and Likeness regulations and the future of collegiate sports management.
- Emerging Technologies: Sessions will address the impact of artificial intelligence and emerging digital platforms on film production, music, and content creation.
- Global Sporting Events: General counsels from the NFL and the FIFA World Cup ’26 are scheduled to discuss the logistical and regulatory hurdles of hosting major international events.
- Media and Content: Executives from Sony Pictures, Warner Bros. Discovery, and Amazon Studios will provide insights into high-stakes contract negotiations and the development of entertainment projects for the screen.
Industry-Leading Speakers
The conference brings together more than 50 speakers across 15 panels. Notable participants include:
- Keynote Speaker:
Desmond Howard, whose career spans elite professional football and a prominent tenure in sports media.
- Legal Experts: Attorneys from top national practices, including
Winston & Strawn, Holland & Knight, and Wilkinson Steklof
- Sports Executives: Representatives from the L.A. Clippers, Sacramento Kings, Atlanta Hawks, and New Orleans Saints & Pelicans.