Speakers

CEO
A11EVEN SPORTS

Shetellia Riley Irving is a sports executive, strategist, and founder of A11Even Sports, a boutique athlete representation agency.  She is best known for building long-term ecosystems around athletes—spanning performance, business, culture, and community—designed to extend far beyond their active playing years.

As the business architect behind one of the world’s most recognizable global athletes, Shetellia oversees brand strategy, partnerships, product development, and philanthropic initiatives, with a focus on ownership, athlete creativity, sustainability, and generational impact. Her work bridges sport, fashion, retail, media, and community development, grounded in disciplined growth and values-driven leadership.

Shetellia is also a leading advocate for athlete education, NIL literacy, and governance accountability, bringing a rare blend of strategic rigor and cultural fluency to every room she enters.

CEO / PRESIDENT
UNIVERSAL SPORTS ENTERTAINMENT

Kevin T. Conner has been associated with the sports industry for more than 20 years. Kevin started his career at Alabama State University where he graduated with honors, acquiring a Bachelors of Arts degree in Political Science / Pre Law and a Masters of Science degree in Counseling.

Kevin was a standout free safety and four-year letterman at Alabama State University. He subsequently earned an American Bar Association-approved paralegal certification and completed post-graduate work in educational leadership at the University of Georgia. He also obtained a Masters of Divinity Degree from Emory University.

Kevin’s unparalleled reputation for integrity, diligence, and dedication provides him an advantage when making a connection between player and team. A certified contract advisor with the NFL and NBA, Kevin has taken the steps necessary to assemble a most competent team of professionals who are able to service the total needs of the up-and-coming draft candidate as well as the seasoned veteran.

PRESIDENT OF FOOTBALL - PARTNER
DIVINE SPORTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Upon concluding an NFL playing career and becoming an NFLPA Certified Contract Advisor in 2013, Jovan Barnes brings a great deal of experience, expertise and football credibility to Divine Sports & Entertainment. Jovan specializes in contract negotiation research, draft preparation and client acquisition. Whether it’s an on or off-the-field concern, he makes certain all issues are handled. Jovan oversees the line-by-line details of all contract preparation and negotiation, as well as a wide variety of player development matters which arise during the pre-draft process. His unique ability to understand and adjust to the complex issues associated with the professional athletes life has made him an invaluable asset to the DSE team. Jovan received his bachelor’s degree from Central Michigan University in 2005 and went on to earn a master’s degree from Indiana University in 2013.

Notable Clients: Leonard Williams (Seattle Seahawks), Ben Skowronek (Pittsburgh Steelers) & Ivan Pace Jr. (Minnesota Vikings)

SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT - TALENT REPRESENTATION
CSE TALENT

Darrell Comer is a Senior Vice President of Talent Representation at CSE Talent, where he leads and launched CSE Athletes, the firm’s first athlete representation division in its 39-year history. In this role, he oversees full-service representation for professional and collegiate basketball players, with a focus on long-term career sustainability, ethical advocacy, and trust-centered leadership. Since joining CSE in 2025, Comer has built the division from the ground up, expanding the firm’s legacy into athlete-centered representation and negotiating millions of dollars in professional contracts and NIL agreements.

Prior to CSE, Comer spent more than a decade at You First Sports and Tandem, rising from intern to lead basketball agent. Over the course of his career, he has represented more than 60 athletes across the NBA, NBA G League, and international leagues in Europe, Asia, and Australia, negotiating over $40 million in professional contracts and securing endorsement partnerships with global brands including Nike and Under Armour, as well as Fortune 100 companies and entrepreneurial ventures. He is widely recognized for redefining athlete preparation beyond on-court performance, introducing professional development standards that emphasize discipline, accountability, and long-term vision.

Raised in Indiana, Comer is a graduate of Morehouse College and a proud member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. He brings a service-oriented approach to leadership rooted in access, mentorship, and community uplift, and is deeply committed to developing the next generation of sports professionals through consistent mentorship, industry education, and advocacy. His work is guided by the belief that excellence is measured not only by outcomes, but by the lives prepared and opportunities expanded along the way.

AGENT
WME SPORTS

Nicole Leach, Esq. (Nikki), is an agent at WME Sports in the Olympic & Action Sports group.  Born and raised in Philadelphia, Nikki was a standout track and field athlete from youth level, through high school, having won many junior Olympic titles, state championships and a gold and silver medalist at Youth and Junior World Championships (from 2003-2006).

Nikki graduated from UCLA as a 2x NCAA Champion in the women’s 400m hurdles. After college Nikki competed in the Diamond League as a Nike endorsed athlete through the 2012 season until she returned home to attend Temp Univ. Beasley School of Law.

After graduating from Temple Law, Nikki practiced at Schnader, Harrison Segal & Lewis LLP in Philadelphia and New York. Thereafter, she became the Assistant General Counsel for the Dallas Mavericks for four seasons. Following her stint at the Mavericks, Nikki became Sr. Counsel at IMG, a sports and entertainment marketing company where she advised on US sports and entertainment events such as Miami Open (Tennis), NY Fashion Week the Shows, PNC Championships (Golf) and others. Fall of 2023, she switched over the IMG’s then sister company WME, to join the Olympic & Action Sports group where she now represents multiple Olympic medalist in track & field and fencing. In addition she also represents a NASCAR driver.

PUBLIC POLICY COUNSEL
NFL PLAYERS ASSOCIATION (NFLPA)

Andrew V. Morris III is a legal and public policy professional that specializes in utilizing legal subject matter expertise to deliver innovative solutions that solve complex legal, business and policy matters with a focus on the sports and entertainment industry.

Currently he serves as Public Policy/Associate General Counsel at the NFL Players Association where in addition to advocating on behalf of NFL players in their employment context through zealous advocacy of CBA related grievances, drug program administration and on-field fine appeals, he advances the interest of players past and present, through strategic policy and legislative engagement. Andrew works daily with internal and external stakeholders to develop and implement favorable policy changes that seek to further the overall wellbeing of NFL players.

Andrew is also relied upon to lead several strategic initiatives of the NFLPA that have commercial/revenue generating implications and player health and safety concerns. Prior to his role at the NFLPA, Andrew served as Senior Director of Legal and Business Affairs, Sports and Entertainment Division at Events DC, the official convention and sports authority for the District of Columbia.

Andrew is a two-time graduate of Howard University, a “double-Bison”, having graduated from both the undergraduate and law school. In addition to Andrew’s work as a legal practitioner he also serves as a professor at both The George Washington University Law School and Howard University School of Law, instructing in the area of sports law.

COO / VICE PRESIDENT
UNIVERSAL SPORTS ENTERTAINMENT

Robert E. Brown, a certified contract advisor, works closely with some of sports’ most notable organizations such as the National Football League Players Association and the National Basketball Players Association.

Robert is a graduate of Alabama State University with a degree in Secondary Education. He was a standout running back and four-year letterman at Alabama State University. Robert was recognized as Who’s Who Among College Athletes.

Robert earned his Masters of Education in Educational Management from Strayer University. He deals extensively in the areas of contract negotiations and endorsements, and he understands the complex needs of professional athlete and strives to ensure that each athlete realizes their full potential.

Robert’s competitiveness and leadership ability enables him to continually secure solid contract and endorsement opportunities. His uncanny work ethic and great attitude are reasons why he is highly respected and appreciated.

SENIOR DIRECTOR (BASKETBALL) OCTAGON

Chris Gaston is a Senior Director of Basketball at Octagon, one of the world’s premier sports and entertainment agencies. He has directly negotiated over $200 million in NBA contracts, including negotiating the largest contract in Sacramento Kings franchise history for De’Aaron Fox ($163 million).

Gaston represents NBA players, NBA Draft prospects, and some of the top NIL athletes in the country, with clients across major programs including UCLA, Kentucky and Oregon,. His work spans contract negotiation, NIL strategy, career planning, and long-term brand development.

Prior to joining Octagon, Gaston was the Founder and CEO of Family First Sports Firm, where he represented elite basketball talent, including the #1 female player in the high school class, Mikaylah Williams, and the #1 shooting guard in his class, Keyonte George. During his tenure at Family First, Gaston also negotiated groundbreaking endorsement deals with Jordan Brand and Red Bull.

Known for his high-touch, relationship-driven approach, Gaston works closely with athletes and their families to navigate an increasingly complex basketball landscape. He is trusted for his discretion, honesty, and ability to provide clear, strategic guidance at every stage of an athlete’s career.

As part of Octagon’s elite basketball division, Gaston operates within an agency that represents some of the biggest stars in the NBA, including Stephen Curry, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Bam Adebayo.

Gaston is committed to creating intentional, professional environments for serious prospects—spaces that emphasize preparation, accountability, and opportunity. His mission is simple: serve athletes at the highest level while helping them maximize both performance and opportunity on and off the court.