Duquesne to Bring World’s Largest Sports Management Conference to Pittsburgh

The Palumbo-Donahue School of Business and its sports marketing division will welcome more than 500 attendees from around the world to the 2014 conference of the North American Society for Sports Management (NASSM) from Tuesday, May 27, through Saturday, May 31.

Millions of spectators see the world of sports as a means of entertainment, and for the many practitioners, students and academics, this global multibillion-dollar industry provides not only employment, but also subjects and topics for research and education.

The annual NASSM conference provides opportunities for academics and practitioners in sports to share, promote and encourage research, scholarly writing and professional development in theoretical and applied aspects of sports research.

“It is a privilege for the Palumbo-Donahue School of Business and the sports marketing department to host the 2014 NASSM Conference in Pittsburgh,” said Steven N. Greenberg, chair of the conference, executive-in-residence for sports marketing at Duquesne and former vice president of ballpark development/marketing for the Pittsburgh Pirates.

At the conference, attendees will exchange research findings, receive recognition and hear from a lineup of prominent speakers with Pittsburgh ties. They include:

  • Rich Fitzgerald, Allegheny County Chief Executive
  • Len Komoroski, chief executive officer of the Cleveland Cavaliers and a 1982 Duquesne graduate
  • Charlie Batch, former Pittsburgh Steelers player and founder of the Best of the Batch Foundation
  • Art Rooney II, president and co-owner of the Steelers, and a 1982 Duquesne graduate
  • Rob Ruck, sports historian and author.

“The opportunity to showcase our attributes, our school and our discipline to the more than 500 practitioners will further enhance our reputation as a destination for future leaders in the business of sports,” said Greenberg. “We welcome attendees representing 15 countries and know their experience in the ‘Most Livable City’ will be a memorable one.

“Located in the heart of the city, Duquesne University supports Pittsburgh’s great tradition of sports excellence at both college and professional levels, making our region a perfect setting for this year’s conference,” Greenberg said.