Katie Nolan moderates panel at Fanatics Fest 2026, highlights sports‑gaming crossover

Fanatics Fest 2026 featured a prominent presence of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 alongside its sports and entertainment programming. Sports analyst and SiriusXM host Katie Nolan moderated a panel on July 18 that included Indie Navarrette, director Peter Berg and NBA star Kevin Durant, as well as Activision chief marketing officer Tyler Bahl and Infinity Ward co‑studio head Mark Griggsby.

Nolan discussed the growing overlap between professional sports and esports, noting that "everyone has Call of Duty in their diet." She mentioned her own PlayStation 5 setup and her support for the Boston Celtics, and highlighted Durant’s comment about finding time to play video games. Nolan also referenced her "Casuals" podcast on SiriusXM, which explores sports topics with a relaxed format and occasional celebrity guests.

The event underscored the blending of traditional sports culture with interactive gaming, signaling continued collaboration between major sports figures and the video‑game industry.