Petrotta named ESPN Research Fellow

Wednesday, May 1, 2024 - 7:45am

University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) International Gaming Institute (IGI) announced the recipients of the 2024 ESPN Research Fellowships. This year’s selection showcases a diverse group of scholars whose project proposals will be pivotal in advancing knowledge on responsible gambling messaging in sports media.

Brian Petrotta, assistant professor of sports media and communication, was one of the five selected for the fellowship.

Each of the fellowship proposals address unique facets of responsible gambling messaging in sports media. As the intersection between sports and gambling continues to evolve, the work of these scholars is essential in promoting healthy gambling practices and awareness. The projects will provide insights into practical strategies that policymakers and the industry can adopt to help safeguard the well-being of sports enthusiasts and the public at large.

“IGI is tremendously excited about these projects,” said Dr. Brett Abarbanel, Executive Director of IGI. “A key goal of this initiative is to support innovative and impactful research to better understand the rapidly changing global sports and betting environment. This research represents a broad range of perspectives on how gambling is represented in sports media and holds important implications for all gambling stakeholders.”

“ESPN is proud to work with IGI to advance responsible gaming standards through this comprehensive research,” said Kevin Martinez, Vice President of ESPN Corporate Citizenship. “These diverse research projects will help to inform how the industry can continue to respond to and improve upon responsible gaming practices in the sports entertainment ecosystem.”

Brian Petrotta
Brian Petrotta