Variety’s inaugural Sports & Entertainment Studio in New York brought together leading athletes and media and brand executives to discuss the growing overlap between sport, television and advertising. The event highlighted how former players can bring first-hand experience to sports coverage, while networks and brands seek new ways to engage expanding fan audiences.

Super Bowl-winning quarterback Russell Wilson, who retired from the NFL in June and joined CBS Sports’ Sunday pre-game programme, said his career’s successes and setbacks would inform his analysis. He compared quarterback leadership to that of a chief executive and reflected on becoming the second Black quarterback to win a Super Bowl; seven-time NASCAR Cup champion Jimmie Johnson, ESPN analyst Jay Williams, and executives from State Farm, PepsiCo and Teads also took part in discussions on 16 July.