September 28, 2026
What do sports, social media, artificial intelligence, mental health, politics, and gambling have in common? Students at St. John’s University recently explored that question through More in Common: The “Sportsploitation” of Modern Society, a two-day event that challenged them to look beyond the games they watch and consider how sports, media, technology, business, and culture shape the world around them.
“We want students to leave the event feeling empowered to engage in meaningful discussion, regardless of whether they agree with, disagree with, or remain neutral on the issues presented,” said David P. Hedlund, Ph.D., Professor and Chairperson of the Division of Sport Management. “Exposure to different perspectives and the opportunity to exchange ideas are important parts of the educational experience.”
Hosted by the Lesley H. and William L. Collins College of Professional Studies’ Divisions of Sport Management and Mass Communication on September 21 and 22 in the D’Angelo Center, the event featured screenings of the four-part documentary, co-executive produced by Scotty Pippen Jr., Arize Ifejika, and Daniel Bezman.
The documentary examines 17 topics at the intersection of sports and modern society, from the evolution of sports media and the cultural impact of WorldStarHipHop to NIL, influencer culture, AI, mental health, politics, gambling, and the growing role of algorithms in determining what audiences see.
Turning the Screening into an Impactful Conversation
Following each screening, students had the opportunity to speak directly with Arize Ifejika, director and executive producer of More in Common and founder of the More Than Basketball brand, challenging the ideas on screen and pushing the conversation further.
He encouraged students to reflect on how today’s media landscape has evolved, where it is heading, and their role in shaping its future.
“Sometimes things don’t have to be viral to be appreciated,” Mr. Ifejika said. “Things don’t have to be a product of an algorithm putting it in front of you for you to discover.”
“I really loved this event because it was a conversation between the older generation and the younger generation,” said Megan Robinson, a first-year Television and Film major. “I think it’s good to open the doors and let the questions fly.”
For Handje Tamba, a communications graduate student and former member of the St. John’s men’s basketball team, the conversation highlighted something even more personal: the influence young people can have on one another without even realizing it.
“With a device that allows us to see everything from everywhere at the speed of light,” Tamba said, “everything that we do and how we do it has the potential to show in the next generation.”
From Giving Back to Creating Opportunity
Mr. Ifejika shared that bringing More in Common to universities like St. John’s is his way of giving back by creating opportunities for students to connect with professionals, ask questions, and experience the world of sports and media beyond the classroom.
That philosophy also extends to TUSME, an opportunity he developed through More Than Basketball that gives 24 students across various universities the chance to attend the NBA Summer League, experience games, industry events, activations, and networking opportunities alongside professionals working in sports.
Rather than having students work the events, he wants them to experience them.
“The goal is to network with people, meet people, and most importantly, be present,” he said.
Creating spaces for students to connect face-to-face is one way to respond to the increasingly digital world explored throughout the documentary. It is also an opportunity to help students see themselves within an industry they may one day want to enter.
For Nancy DiTunnariello, Ph.D., Department Chair and Associate Professor in the Division of Mass Communication, the opportunity to learn directly from someone who has brought a creative project to life can be just as valuable.
“I hope that this event sparks additional curiosity and motivation, while helping students recognize that their own project goals are achievable through hard work and a willingness to learn from others,” Dr. DiTunnariello said.
To learn more about the documentary and watch the first episode for free, visit More in Common.