From podcasting and production to marketing and licensing, there are many avenues to a career in sports media. Hear from professionals in this dynamic industry on how they followed their passion to work in sports.
Presented with the Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment and SVA Theatre
This program is supported, in part, by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council.
Komal Bhukhanwala, Senior Art Director, CBS Sports
Komal has worked in the field of design for two decades in all forms from print, web, UX, Motion, brand design, virtual reality & augmented reality35. She is instrumental in pushing CBS Sports’ forward and leads the charge across the sports landscape in innovation and advancement. Komal, who oversees a team of 35 designers, has pushed the boundaries for what is possible in a live broadcast with the creation and implementation of Romovision, and other virtual technologies.
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Komal has lead the charge in implementing Augmented reality and other virtual workflows within the company. She has overseen the integration of in game AR since it was done for the first time at Super bowl 53. Working in the sports industry for over 15 years, including being a part of CBS Sports through three rebrands, Komal was the also first at CBS sports to design stereoscopic graphics for US open tennis. She is always at the forefront of innovation ensuring that CBS Sports has evolved and stayed in tune with progressing design trends in the industry. Paramount to CBS Sports’ biggest properties, Komal has led the art direction for five Super Bowls, and has designed graphics for all of CBS Sports properties, including the NFL, college football, college basketball, golf, soccer and the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament. Her work has been recognized across the sports industry, with Emmy wins for Romovision (2022) and a wensel for the US open stereoscopic coverage.
As CBS Sports continues to grow and innovate, Komal is a vital figure in that progression. CBS Sports launched the CBS Sports Golazo Network in April of 2023, a first-of-its-kind free, 24-hour direct-to-consumer digital network in the U.S. offering fans unparalleled coverage of all the top domestic and international soccer competitions across the world. Komal and her team successfully launched the complete on-air package for the network, leading the charge from start to finish. Komal also heads a company-wide Virtual production workstream that provides guidance and education to employees across divisions that are looking to add virtual production in their workflows to enhance their storytelling.
Carlos Fleming, Partner, Endeavor; Department Head, WME Basketball
As a Department Head of WME Basketball, Carlos Fleming oversees career management, marketing strategy, recruiting and staffing for the department. WME Basketball established itself as a full-service basketball agency in 2021 in a joint venture with Bill Duffy and Associates (BDA), which it then acquired in March of 2023. The agency now represents over 60 NBA clients including Luka Doncic, Anthony Edwards, Joel Embiid, DeAndre Ayton, Jimmy Butler, RJ Barrett, Scottie Barnes, Candace Parker, Sabrina Ionescu, Anfernee Simons and others.
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Throughout his career Carlos has represented the number one tennis player in the world (Venus Williams); the number one NFL Draft Pick (Cam Newton); the number one American professional male soccer player (Christian Pulisic); the number one professional female golfer (Michelle Wie) and the top-rated NCAA Men's basketball player (Chet Holmgren).
Carlos played collegiate tennis at Kansas University where he was an All-American. He started his career at IMG as an agent in the tennis division where he represented clients including Venus and Serena Williams, James Blake, Nick Kyrgios, Jo-Wilfred Tsonga and others.
Jon McLeod, Associate Producer, ESPN; Co-Chairman, ESPN T.R.U.S.T.
Jon McLeod, an accomplished Associate Producer at ESPN, stands at the forefront of a groundbreaking initiative. As one of the founding members of ESPN TRUST, the network's inaugural Mental Health Awareness Affinity team, Jon is dedicated to fostering a culture of well-being in the fast-paced world of sports broadcasting.
With a deep-seated passion for sports, Jon's journey in this realm began early on, fueling his pursuit of a bachelor’s degree in Broadcast Journalism and Communications. His unquenchable thirst for knowledge led him to earn a master's degree in television production, equipping him with the skills to craft compelling narratives that resonate with audiences.
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Jon has a wealth of experience in producing captivating content, fostering meaningful conversations, and weaving inspiring stories. He takes great pride in his opportunities to be a Public Speaker. He has addressed audiences worldwide at prestigious events like the Disability IN Conference, as well as nationally recognized companies including Blue Shield California and TIAA. Jon's commitment to creating impact extends to local communities, where he shares his insights with schools and youth programs.
Jon's unwavering mission is clear: to empower the next generation with business acumen while emphasizing the paramount importance of nurturing their mental health for enduring success. With a resolute focus on both personal and professional growth, Jon McLeod exemplifies leadership in sports broadcasting and mental health advocacy, making him a true beacon of inspiration in his field.
Martell Pegues, Social Content Producer, Always-On at Bleacher Report
Martell Pegues is a skilled storyteller with over 8 years of experience producing best-in-class, narrative-driven sports social and editorial content. He is currently a Social Producer for Bleacher Report, developing content strategy for storytelling across social platforms and the B/R App. He has interned at Georgetown University in their Athletic Equipment department, also as a Public Affairs Assistant with the National Black Public Relations Society. Martell is a graduate of Bowie State University with a Bachelors of Science in Sports Management with a concentration in Public Relations.
Moderator: Larry Berger, Sr. Coordinating Producer, Head of Video Operations, and Writer, USA Today Sports
Larry Berger has spent three decades in the sports media field, including 16 years spent with NBA Entertainment. There, he created long and short-form, live and post-produced video content seen domestically and in over 200 countries and territories.
Throughout his career, he has interviewed hundreds of the biggest names in sports history – ranging from icons like Wilt Chamberlain to Michael Jordan, Wayne Gretzky, Dale Earnhardt Jr., and Connor McDavid.
Berger has also created a 90-minute documentary film on then-high school standout Karl-Anthony Towns for MSG Varsity.
Berger is currently employed by USA TODAY Sports, where he is a leader of the sports video department.
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Among his duties are to leverage long-standing relationships to acquire interviews and access with the biggest names in sports. He has also written numerous articles, including one on MLB top prospect Jackson Holliday, and has served as an on-camera host sitting down with legendary sports personalities.
Outside of work, Berger works closely with his “kid reporter” seven-year-old son, who already has an impressive list of interviews under his belt, provides media training for elite amateur athletes and business leaders, and mentors young adults eager to enter the sports media industry.
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