SBC’s 2026 Immersive Experience Sets a New Bar for Success in Las Vegas
Sports Business Classroom (SBC) officially tipped off its 2026 program on Sunday, July 12, welcoming more than 130 students to a sold-out, weeklong immersive experience during NBA Summer League. This year’s class included students from across the United States, as well as 13 international students, marking another step forward in SBC’s growing global reach.
The international representation was strengthened through SBC’s partnership with Deakin University in Australia, one of the program’s valued international partners. Alongside partners including UNLV, PlayersTV, and Horner Flooring, SBC continues to expand the network of organizations helping connect students to opportunities across the sports business industry.
With an expanded curriculum, unprecedented access, and an elite lineup of speakers, the 2026 Immersive Experience once again demonstrated why SBC has become one of the premier hands-on sports business education programs in the country.
Returning to lead the program for a third consecutive year was ESPN’s Bobby Marks, whose career journey from a New Jersey Nets intern to Assistant General Manager and, ultimately, a nationally recognized NBA analyst provides students with a unique and relatable perspective on the industry.
And the learning started early. Each morning, students gathered for Breakfast with Bobby at Green Street at the Palms before heading to the arena for another full day of programming, networking, and hands-on learning.
A New Look for SBC
The 2026 experience also featured a new room configuration designed to create a more elevated and engaging environment for students throughout the week. The updated setup provided more space for collaboration, presentations, and networking while giving the program a fresh new look.
Horner Flooring also provided a basketball court floor that served as the stage for instructors and presenters throughout the week, adding an elevated and authentic basketball feel to the experience.
Joining the SBC leadership team this year was Joseph Klein, who oversaw the program’s daily operations, hotel logistics, and the many moving pieces required to execute a weeklong immersive experience at this scale.
Learning From the Best in the Business
The 2026 speaker roster featured some of the biggest names across the NBA and basketball industry.
The program was headlined by Co-Founders Warren LeGarie and Albert Hall, and NBA Commissioner Adam Silver, who praised SBC and the NBA Summer League ecosystem as a true “training ground” not only for players, but also for the next generation of basketball executives.
Throughout the week, students heard from industry leaders including Shams Charania, Mike Gansey, Mike Zarren, Shy Saee, and Mike D’Antoni, along with legendary executives, coaches, officials, and industry leaders such as Joe Crawford, Tommy Sheppard, Trey Rose, and Josh Pastner.
Three Hall of Fame Inductees in One Program
One of the most unique aspects of the 2026 experience was the opportunity for students to learn from three members of the Class of 2026 Basketball Hall of Fame.
Students had the opportunity to hear directly from Mike D’Antoni, Mike Fratello, and legendary NBA official Joey Crawford.
Having three Hall of Fame inductees participate as instructors and guests gave students a rare opportunity to learn directly from individuals who have each left an indelible mark on the game of basketball.
A Look Inside the College Basketball Landscape
SBC also introduced one of the most unique additions to the 2026 curriculum: a College General Managers Panel.
The panel brought together an impressive group of leaders from across college athletics, including:
- Remy Cofield – Arkansas Athletics General Manager
- Eric Reveno – Stanford Men’s Basketball General Manager and now Head Coach at Brown
- Allen Huddleston – TCU Men’s Basketball General Manager
- Daniel Marks – Howard Men’s Basketball General Manager
- Quinton Garrison – Valparaiso General Manager
- Abraham Woldeslassie – Northern Iowa General Manager
The panel provided students with an inside look at the rapidly changing landscape of college athletics, including the evolution of the general manager role, roster construction, NIL, recruiting, player development, and the day-to-day responsibilities of leading a modern college basketball program.
Expanding Industry Partnerships
SBC continued to expand its industry partnerships in 2026, including its relationship with PlayersTV, bringing members of the organization in to speak with students about athletes, media, storytelling, content creation, and the modern sports business landscape.
The program also welcomed students from Deakin University in Australia, strengthening SBC’s international reach and creating new opportunities to connect sports business education across continents.
These partnerships, alongside relationships with UNLV and Horner Flooring, continue to give SBC students access to perspectives and experiences that extend well beyond the traditional team and league front office.
Hands-On Learning at the Center of the Experience
At the heart of the SBC Immersive Experience is hands-on learning.
Each student selects a major area of focus and works collaboratively with their peers on a Mock Trade Deadline Practicum, simulating the decision-making process of an NBA front office. Students develop trade scenarios, analyze roster construction and salary-cap implications, and ultimately present their recommendations to a panel of basketball executives.
The 2026 curriculum expanded to cover an even broader range of topics across the sports industry, including:
- Athlete Representation
- League Salary Cap
- Scouting, Video & Analytics
- Media & Broadcast
- Basketball Operations
- Networking, Jobs & Resume Writing
- College Basketball General Management
Students also participated in one-on-one mentoring sessions with professionals from across the NBA, NBPA, Klutch Sports, ESPN, and NBA organizations including the 76ers, Pistons, Hawks, and Pacers.
Additional Guest Speakers
The 2026 experience featured an extensive list of additional industry professionals, including:
- Tim Bontemps – Strategic Advisor
- Carlo Jimenez – LA Clippers Play-by-Play Broadcaster
- Eric Amsler – VP of Scouting / Assistant GM, Miami Heat
- Matt Riccadi – Former Assistant GM, Dallas Mavericks
- Wes Wilcox – GM, Utah Utes Men’s Basketball
- Dejan Boriroga – President, EuroLeague
- Ryan McDonough – Former GM, Phoenix Suns; NBA Media Contributor
- Josh Bartelstein – CEO, Phoenix Suns
- Erika Ruiz – Co-Founder, Primera Sports
From NBA executives and Hall of Fame coaches to agents, broadcasters, scouts, college general managers, media personalities, and business leaders, the breadth of expertise available to students was unlike anything SBC has offered before.
Building the Next Generation of Sports Leaders
The success of the 2026 Immersive Experience is a reflection of SBC’s continued commitment to providing students with something that cannot be replicated in a traditional classroom: direct access to the people making decisions throughout the sports industry.
More than 130 students, 13 international participants, an expanded curriculum, three Hall of Fame inductees, a groundbreaking College GM Panel, and an unprecedented group of NBA and industry leaders made the 2026 experience one to remember.
As NBA Summer League continues to serve as a proving ground for the next generation of basketball talent, Sports Business Classroom is proud to provide a similar training ground for the future leaders, executives, agents, analysts, broadcasters, and innovators of the sports industry.
The future of sports business starts here.
