News & Insights
Photo courtesy of: Greg Land
L-R: Abe Madkour, Ryan Alpert, Chris Dunlavey, Marvin Lewis. Photo credit: Ryan Aylmer.
At this week’s NACDA conference, B&D’s own Chris Dunlavey joined Marvin Lewis, Assistant VP & Director of Intercollegiate Athletics at George Mason University, and Ryan Alpert, Chief Revenue Officer at the University of Tennessee, for a panel discussion on developing athletic districts. The session, sponsored by Sports Business Journal, explored how universities can transform underutilized land into vibrant, revenue-generating hubs that benefit athletics, academics, and the surrounding community.
Dunlavey emphasized the importance of defining strategic objectives early in the planning process, including aligning athletic district goals with broader campus and community priorities. He highlighted the critical role of competitive bidding in ensuring universities get the best possible terms and partners, warning against the risks of single-developer commitments. Drawing on B&D’s experience with both collegiate and professional sports projects, he cited examples such as The Battery in Atlanta and Nationals Park in Washington, D.C., as models for creating successful entertainment districts.
The panelists also discussed revenue generation, premium hospitality, and community engagement, emphasizing that a well-executed athletic district project can benefit universities for decades to come. Dunlavey’s insights provided attendees with a roadmap for balancing stakeholder interests, managing complex governance structures, and navigating the evolving landscape of collegiate sports development.
For more insights from NACDA, read “Don’t go it alone: How competitive bidding protects universities in athletic district development” by Chris Dunlavey.
