Welcome to Sportico’s transactions wire, a weekly rundown of personnel, partnerships and products across the sports business industry.
PERSONNEL
REI Selects Mary Beth Laughton as President and CEO
Mary Beth Laughton has been named to replace Eric Artz as president and CEO on REI, effective Feb. 3. Initially, Laughton will join REI as president before stepping into the responsibility of CEO and the day-to-day running of the co-op on March 31. Most recently, Laughton led Nike’s global retail and digital direct-to-consumer business. Previously, as CEO of Athleta, a certified B Corp, Laughton led the company through a period of significant revenue growth. Artz, who was with REI for 12 years, including six as president and CEO, will retire at the end of March.
Atlanta Drive GC Adds Four Limited Partners to Ownership Group
TGL franchise Atlanta Drive GC has added four limited partners to the organization’s ownership group. They are country music superstar Luke Combs, Baseball Hall of Famer Chipper Jones, former Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan and Emmy-winning television and radio host Ryan Seacrest. Atlanta Drive GC is part of Arthur M. Blank’s AMB Sports and Entertainment portfolio, alongside the Atlanta Falcons, Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta United and PGA Tour Superstore.
Winners Alliance Names Rob Sanzillo Chief Growth Officer
Rob Sanzillo has joined Winners Alliance as chief growth officer, where he will help lead the company’s strategy and drive its continued expansion. Winners Alliance, a global, athlete-centric commercial engine, focuses on optimizing and maximizing athletes’ collective value through group licensing, partnerships, sponsorships, content and investment opportunities. Previously, Sanzillo served as SVP of Strategy & Operations at MLB Players Inc., the commercial arm of the MLBPA, where he spearheaded the growth of its licensing business.
New York Road Runners Name Juliette Morris Chief Marketing Officer
Juliette Morris has joined NYRR as the organization’s chief marketing officer. Morris was most recently CEO of Adweek after serving in the same role for streaming audio platform TuneIn. She joins NYRR with more than 20 years of operational, management, and marketing experience, including executive leadership roles at global media companies including NBCUniversal, Paramount, and HBO.
PWHL Players Association Selects Malaika Underwood as Executive Director
The Professional Women’s Hockey League Players Association has appointed Malaika Underwood as its executive director, effective March 3. She succeeds Brian Burke, who has led the union since its inception in 2023. Most recently, as a partner at High Tide Consulting, Underwood advised sports organizations, governing bodies and brands on strategic initiatives. From 2022 to 2023, she served as interim CEO of OneTeam Partners, steering the company through a critical transition and an investment transaction that valued the company at $1.8 billion.
Singer-Songwriter Noah Kahan Invests in Boston Common Golf
Noah Kahan, a two-time Grammy-nominated and multi-platinum selling singer-songwriter, has joined Boston Common Golf as an investor, aligning with Fenway Sports Group, Rory McIlroy’s Symphony Ventures and solo artist and singer-songwriter Niall Horan. Kahan is an avid golfer, participating in rounds at courses such as TPC Sawgrass. Boston Common Golf is part of Fenway Sports Group and one of six inaugural teams in TGL presented by SoFi.
ShotTracker Appoints CRO and COO Amid Staff Expansion
ShotTracker, which provides adaptive real-time data and AI-driven insights for teams, leagues, facilities and consumers, has named Greg Kirkorsky as chief revenue officer and LaDonna Gooden as chief operating officer. Kirkorsky brings over two decades of experience in sports technology and data analytics, most recently Chief Commercial Officer at SportsDataIO. Gooden previously worked for the Kansas City mayor’s office in helping develop the first women’s professional sports stadium.
NBRPA Taps Antonio Davis as CEO and President
The National Basketball Retired Players Association named Antonio Davis chief executive officer of the alumni organization. Davis will drive the strategic vision, business operations, member services and growth for the NBRPA and will be based in Chicago. He will be supported by the NBRPA Board of Directors including chairman Charles “Choo” Smith, vice chairman Shawn Marion, treasurer Nancy Lieberman, secretary C.J. Kupec, Spencer Haywood, Eddie Gill, Rushia Brown, Bob Elliott, Mike Bantom, Caron Butler, Clarence “Chucky” Brown and Dave Bing. Davis enjoyed a 16-year professional basketball playing career, served as president of the National Basketball Players Association and was a featured studio basketball analyst for ESPN and a co-host/analyst for Sirius XM NBA Radio.
PARTNERSHIPS
Oracle Red Bull Racing Expands Partnership With PPDS
Philips Professional Displays has expanded its role with Oracle Red Bull Racing from exclusive digital display supplier to team partner. PPDS will be developed and integrated across a widening range of team operations, including at the Red Bull Technology campus in Milton Keynes, England. The partnership has led to the construction of Formula 1’s largest dvLED wall, which is housed at the team’s MK-7 events space. PPDS will remain the exclusive supplier of digital displays, having joined the team in 2022.
Snapdragon, Manchester United Collaborate on Global Health Initiative
Snapdragon and Manchester United are coming together to drive support for global health by putting the (RED) logo on the front of United’s shirt. The initiative was announced at the World Economic Forum in Davos. As part of Qualcomm Technologies Inc.’s front-of-shirt sponsorship with Manchester United, featuring its Snapdragon brand, the company can nominate a charitable organization to replace the Snapdragon logo on the front of the Manchester United shirt for one match per season for both the men’s and women’s teams.
Cast Iron Media Extends MLB Partnership, Lands Orkila, Bolt Investments
Cast Iron Media, a technology-driven sports media company, has completed a five-year extension of its media rights partnership with Major League Baseball. The strategic partnership extends Cast Iron’s media rights to manage local inventory on MLB’s digital platform. Additionally, Cast Iron Media has secured strategic investments from Orkila Capital and David Blitzer’s Bolt Ventures as new equity partners. As part of the expanded relationship, MLB will also join as an equity partner.
Coastal Carolina Athletics Signs Ticket Deal With Taymar Sales U.
Coastal Carolina Athletics and Taymar Sales U. have signed a multiyear agreement for the firm to handle outbound ticket sales with a focus on retention efforts. Coastal Carolina is Taymar’s 27th client and third in the state of South Carolina, joining The Citadel and Furman. Coastal Carolina joins Georgia Southern as Taymar schools in the Sun Belt Conference. Taymar will recruit and install two senior account executives to work closely with Chanticleer athletics to bring a data-driven approach to retention efforts and increasing revenue.
MLB Signs Japanese Green Tea Maker Ito En to Sponsorship Roster
Ito En and Major League Baseball have entered into an official partnership agreement in Japan and the U.S. beginning in 2025. The partnership originated from Shohei Ohtani‘s admiration for “Oi Ocha,” an unsweetened green tea beverage brand. Ito En has signed a comprehensive agreement that includes league rights with MLB and a local team sponsorship with the Los Angeles Dodgers. In Japan, Ito En is now the official green tea of MLB, and in the U.S., Ito En is an official partner of MLB.
Panini America Becomes ‘Practice Partner’ of Reese’s Senior Bowl
Panini America has entered into an exclusive multiyear extension with the Reese’s Senior Bowl, the college prospect showcase, to be both the organization’s official practice partner and trading card. As part of the partnership, Panini will be incorporated into several elements at the Reese’s Senior Bowl in Mobile, Ala., including “Panini” jersey patches on all practice uniforms and “Panini” logos on all on-field equipment (standup dummies, blocking shields, etc.) during the week.
Perry Ellis International Joins 4 Nations Face-Off U.S. Partnership
Perry Ellis International Inc., National Hockey League Players’ Association (NHLPA) and National Hockey League (NHL) announced an official 4 Nations Face-Off U.S. partnership. The NHL and NHLPA will host the 4 Nations Face-Off tournament, featuring NHL players from Canada, Finland, Sweden and the United States, from Feb. 12-20.
Tissot Expands Marketing Partnerships With NBA, WNBA
Tissot, the National Basketball Association, Women’s National Basketball Association and NBA G League announced a multiyear extension of their global marketing partnerships that began in 2015. The expanded collaboration will feature the introduction of a redesigned, round shot clock and timing system, the launch of the new Tissot NBA Supersport 2025 Special Edition watch, and will make Tissot the presenting partner of an NBA Global Game in Europe for the next 10 years. The announcement was made at a demonstration of the new shot clock prior to the 2025 NBA Paris Games, in which the Indiana Pacers and San Antonio Spurs are playing two regular-season games this week.
Manchester City Enters Global Partnership With Veritran
Manchester City announced a new multiyear partnership with Veritran, a global technology company that specializes in digital experiences. As the Club’s Official Fan Identity Partner, Veritran’s technology will integrate with the club’s existing infrastructure, enhancing transactions for fans across areas such as registration, memberships and ticketing. Over 50 million people utilize Veritran’s technology and solutions to improve digital experiences across Latin America, the United States and Europe.
PURCHASES
LeBron James Launches PIF Eboat Racing Team
LeBron James is starting a new team in the UIM E1 World Championship Presented by PIF, the world’s first all-electric race boat championship. Team AlUla will join the fleet for the 2025 E1 season that begins with the E1 Jeddah GP on Saturday. The series sees teams go head-to-head in cities including Doha, Monaco and Miami. James’ Team AlUla, named after the ancient oasis city in Saudi Arabia, will be piloted by Rusty Wyatt and Catie Munnings.
