Symposium Introduction

Summary

Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law welcomes attendees to the Jeffrey S. Morad Law Journal Annual Symposium, celebrating the growth of the Morad Sports Law Center thanks to a $5 million gift from Jeff Morad. The opening remarks highlight the center’s rise as a leading academic sports law program—innovative course offerings, a joint live-streamed class with University of Denver, an NBA JD case competition co-sponsored with UCLA, and an upcoming online sports management certificate. Jeff Morad reflects on his decades in athlete representation and team ownership, praises Executive Director Andrew Brandt, and emphasizes the symposium’s educational mission for law students and professionals.

Takeaways

• 😀 The Villanova University School of Law is hosting its annual symposium, supported by a generous $5 million donation from Jeff Morad.
• 😀 The symposium is a leading event in sports law, focusing on topics such as athlete representation and the business of sports.
• 😀 The Morad Sports Management Center at Villanova, directed by Andrew Brandt, has become a top academic hub for sports law in the country.
• 😀 Villanova has partnered with other universities like UCLA and the University of Denver to offer cutting-edge sports law education, including a live-streaming course.
• 😀 A notable event organized by the center was the first NBA JD Sports Case Competition in collaboration with UCLA.
• 😀 In the coming months, Villanova will launch an online sports management certificate program.
• 😀 Jeff Morad, a well-known figure in sports management, has had a significant career, including roles as CEO of the Arizona Diamondbacks and San Diego Padres.
• 😀 The symposium serves as an educational event, not only for Villanova students but also for law students from across the country.
• 😀 Past symposia have covered important sports-related issues such as the impact of 'Moneyball' and the ongoing concerns around concussions in sports.
• 😀 Today’s symposium focuses on sports representation, reflecting Jeff Morad's career in athlete representation and negotiations.

Q & A

What event is being introduced in the transcript?

The speakers are introducing the Villanova University School of Law’s Jeffrey S. Moorad Law Journal Annual Symposium.

Who is Jeff Moorad and why is he significant to the event?

Jeff Moorad is a prominent figure in professional sports, a long-time sports agent and former MLB executive. He provided a $5 million gift that established the Moorad Center for Sports Law at Villanova, making the symposium and related programs possible.

What accomplishments of the Moorad Center are highlighted in the introduction?

Highlights include the creation of a leading academic sports center, cutting-edge sports law courses, a joint live-streaming class with the University of Denver, a co-sponsored NBA–JD case competition with UCLA, and an upcoming online sports management certificate program.

Who is acknowledged for their contributions to organizing the symposium?

Dean Gotanda and his staff, particularly Annette, along with Andrew Brandt, the Executive Director of the Moorad Center, are recognized for their hard work.

What topics were covered in previous years’ symposiums?

Earlier symposiums focused on the impact of ‘Moneyball’ on sports and business, and on concussions in sports, especially with insights from Saul Weiss regarding the NFL.

What is the main topic of the current symposium?

The current symposium focuses on sports representation, a field in which Jeff Moorad worked for over 20 years.

Why was sports representation chosen as the theme for this year?

Although Jeff Moorad questioned the necessity of covering sports agents again, he was told by Andrew Brandt and the Dean that it is a topic students are very interested in.

How does Jeff Moorad describe his experience in sports representation?

He reflects with fondness on his 20-year career in athlete representation, noting his transition to team executive and ownership roles afterward.

Who is Andrew Brandt and why is he important to the program?

Andrew Brandt is the Executive Director of the Moorad Center. He previously worked as a sports agent, represented athletes at ProServ, served as assistant GM for the Green Bay Packers, and taught at Wharton. Jeff Moorad praises him for putting Villanova on the map in sports law.

What role will Andrew Brandt play during the symposium?

Andrew Brandt will serve as the moderator for the symposium sessions.

Why does Jeff Moorad emphasize the purpose of the symposium?

He states that the symposium is primarily meant to educate law students at Villanova and elsewhere, though he also acknowledges that some attendees may be there for CLE credit.

What tone does Jeff Moorad set for the day’s events?

He expresses enthusiasm, gratitude, and anticipation for a productive and intellectually engaging day with notable speakers from across the country.