A new study commissioned by the Houston Super Bowl Host Committee says Super Bowl 51 will bring in $350 million for the city. We talk with Ken McGill, managing director of Rockport Analytics, the research firm behind the study, about how they calculated that amount, where the money is going, and what the Super Bowl means for Houston businesses and residents.
Also this hour…
How Emerging Technology is Changing the Way We Experience Sports
We're just days away from Houston being the focus of the sports world when, of course, the city hosts Super Bowl 51. So it's fitting that today (Jan. 31, 2017) the University of Houston hosts a summit on sports and media. Leaders in the sports communication industry will converge to discuss how new and emerging technology – from social media to virtual reality – are shaping the sports industry.
We learn more about the conference from Temple Northup, director and associate professor at the University of Houston's Jack J. Valenti School of Communication.
Former Astronaut Leland Melvin
Leland Melvin has an impressive resume: astronaut, engineer, football player and TV host. He's flown on two space shuttle missions, was drafted by the Detroit Lions, and hosted a show on the Lifetime network called Child Genius.
But he might be best known for his 2009 NASA portrait, where he appeared in his orange space suit with his two dogs – Jake and Scout. Melvin joins us to discuss his varied careers and his efforts to promote STEM education.
Theatre Under the Stars Director Hillary Hart
Back in December (2016), Theatre Under the Stars announced the appointment of the nonprofit musical theater company's new executive director, Hillary Hart. She's the former general manager of the Guthrie Theater in Minneapolis.
She's also held leadership positions at Flat Rock Playhouse in North Carolina and the Dallas Theater Center. Ernie Manouse talks with Hart about what she hopes to bring to Theatre Under the Stars and what the future holds for TUTS — and theater as a whole in Greater Houston
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