Sports @ Annenberg

Sports are both an important window into culture and society and an increasingly dynamic site of media production, content creation and audience consumption. Through all of USC Annenberg’s sports-related courses as well as the two minors in Sports Media Industries and Sports Media Studies, students delve into the complex social issues concerning sports and social change, produce compelling sports media content, learn about the broader socio-economic and political context within which sports take place, and study public relations and brand management strategies for promoting athletes and teams. These popular courses and degree programs are taught by internationally-renowned faculty, including both leading academic scholars and outstanding professors of professional practice.

USC Annenberg’s position at an NCAA Division I institution with world-class on-campus sports facilities and its location in Los Angeles, one of the world’s major global cities, provide a perfect laboratory for understanding, researching and exploring the economic, political and social significance of sports. Southern California itself is home to over ten women’s and men’s professional sport franchises, an international hub for broadcasting and the entertainment industries, as well as the site for many of the agencies who represent players and teams. In addition, Los Angeles will host the 2028 Summer Olympic Games and Wallis Annenberg Hall will serve as the main media center for the world’s press.

“There is no better place to study sports than USC Annenberg. Our students learn from top scholars and seasoned professionals in the classroom, from firsthand experience with our student-run media platforms and state-of-the-art media center, and from their internships with organizations like ESPN or the L.A. Kings.

Willow Bay, Dean

Featured Faculty

Associate Professor of Professional Practice, Journalism
JOUR 350: Introduction to Sports Media
JOUR 441: Sports Reporting
JOUR 571: 21st Century Sports Storytelling
JOUR 574: Sports and Society

Adjunct Professor, Communication
COMM 381: Issues in Contemporary Sport
COMM 445: Global Networks of Sport
COMM 499: Sport Diplomacy
PUBD 599: Sport Diplomacy

Photo of Ben Carrington

Associate Professor, Journalism
COMM 387: Sports and Social Change
JOUR 350: Introduction to Sports Media
JOUR 478: Politics of Sports Writing

Photo of Rishi Chadha

Adjunct Instructor, Journalism
Annenberg Media Coach: Esports
JOUR 499: Advanced Newsroom Practicum: Esports
JOUR 499: Esports Media and Culture

Photo of Cristina Daglas

Adjunct Instructor, Journalism
JOUR 478: Politics of Sports Writing

Daniel Durbin

Clinical Professor, Communication Director, Institute of Sports, Media and Society
COMM 383: Sports: Communication and Culture
COMM 387: Sports and Social Change
COMM 444: Critical Theories of Sports
CMGT 546: Sports, Media and Society

Associate Professor of Professional Practice, Journalism
JOUR 350: Introduction to Sports Media
JOUR 380/COMM 382: Sports, Business and Media in Today’s Society
JOUR 480: Sports and Media Technology
JOUR 481: The Athlete, Sports Media and Popular Culture
JOUR 510: Special Assignment Reporting: Sports

Lecturer, Communication
COMM 387: Sports and Social Change

Adjunct Instructor, Public Relations
PR 454: Sports Public Relations

Adjunct Instructor, Journalism
Annenberg Media Coach: Sports
JOUR 350: Introduction to Sports Media
JOUR 432: Sports Commentary

Adjunct Instructor, Journalism
JOUR 404: Produce and Host Sports Content in Studio A
JOUR 432: Sports Commentary
JOUR 599: Advanced Sports Video Reporting and Production

Photo of Amber Theoharis

Adjunct Instructor, Journalism
Annenberg Media Coach: Sports
JOUR 432: Sports Commentary

Associate Professor of Professional Practice, Journalism
JOUR 432: Sports Commentary

Photo of India Wright

Adjunt Instructor, Journalism
JOUR 350: Introduction to Sports Media

Photo of Erit Yellen

Adjunct Instructor, Journalism and Public Relations
JOUR 499: Olympic Headlines: Past, Present and Future
PR 453: Public Relations Strategies for Working with Athletes

Featured Sports @ Annenberg Alumni

Jacob Ullman

BA, Broadcast Journalism, 1995 Senior VP of Production and Talent Development, FOX Sports

Lindsay Rhodes

BA, Broadcast Journalism, 1998 Host, NFL Total Access

Monica Sears

BA, Public Relations, 2005 VP of Operations, Golden Boy Promotions

Matt Vasgersian

BA, Communication, 1990 Studio Host, MLB Network