Welcome to Sportico’s transactions wire, a weekly rundown of personnel, partnerships, products and purchases across the sports business industry.
PERSONNEL
Kalshi Hires Sara Slane as Head of Corporate Development
Sara Slane is joining Kalshi, the first federally regulated prediction market in the U.S., as head of corporate development. Slane has more than 16 years of experience working in the casino gaming industry and launched her advisory services firm where she delivered successful business strategies to leagues, teams and media companies, including for Kalshi. Slane has worked with leagues such as the NHL, NASCAR, PGA Tour, Premier Lacrosse League and Drone Racing League and dozens of teams throughout the country.
RedBird Development Group Hires Paul Bamundo
Paul Bamundo has joined RedBird Development Group, an affiliate of RedBird Capital Partners, as senior vice president. He will focus on developing and growing the group’s college sports business, which includes offering financial solutions to NCAA schools and conferences. Prior to joining RedBird, Bamundo was a marketing director at the NBA, ran sports partnerships at Subway and was the CMO of Ivy League Sports Marketing, the conference’s multimedia rights partner via JMI Sports. More recently, he was CEO of the National Pickleball League.
LA28 Names Casey G. Batten Chief Medical Officer
Cedars-Sinai sports medicine specialist Casey G. Batten, MD, has been named chief medical officer for the LA28 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Los Angeles. Batten will be responsible for all aspects of medical services planning and delivery as the senior medical services official within the organizing committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games. Batten is co-director of Nonoperative Orthopedics and Sports Medicine and director of the Primary Care Sports Medicine Fellowship in the Department of Orthopedics at Cedars-Sinai. Batten is also head team physician for the Los Angeles Rams, participates in numerous NFL committees and is a member of the NFL Physicians Society.
Oak View Group Makes Promotion and Hire at Climate Pledge Arena
Oak View Group has promoted Nick Vaerewyck to senior vice president of programming and hired Danny Cohen as director of programming at Seattle’s Climate Pledge Arena. Vaerewyck will lead in the strategic planning of content development for OVG in the Pacific Northwest. His responsibilities include strategic oversight of programming goals and content development at Climate Pledge Arena, as well as overseeing private event sales, service and ticketing operations. Vaerewyck has been with Climate Pledge Arena since its inception, overseeing the programming of more than 200 events annually. Cohen will focus on day-to-day and strategic content development for concerts, family shows and special events while supporting Climate Pledge Arena’s overall programming goals. Before joining Climate Pledge Arena, he was GM of public events at Colorado Chautauqua in Boulder.
NFLPA Names Liz Allen Chief External Affairs Officer
The NFL Players Association has named Liz Allen its chief external affairs officer. Allen will lead the union’s communications and public affairs strategy. Her work will focus on strengthening advocacy efforts and amplifying awareness of the union’s mission. Most recently, Allen served as the under secretary of state for public diplomacy and public affairs, overseeing global sports diplomacy initiatives for the U.S. government. In the private sector, Allen was a partner at FSG Global, where she worked across industries—including sports and entertainment—on messaging and advocacy strategies, reputation and crisis management, and executive communications.
LAFC Promotes Stacy Johns to Chief Business Officer
LAFC has unveiled an updated executive team structure, with Stacy Johns being promoted to chief business officer. Johns will oversee all business operations for the club, which includes BMO Stadium. She joined LAFC in August 2020 as chief financial officer from the Indianapolis Colts (NFL) and has served as the club’s chief operating officer since 2023. In her previous roles, she coordinated fiscal planning, accountability and strategy across all segments of the business, including a number of revenue generating verticals as well as data strategy, IT and stadium operations. Larry Freedman, LAFC’s former chief business officer, will continue with the club as co-president.
Stats Perform Names Tech Marketing Veteran Charles Kaplan as CMO
Stats Perform has named tech marketing veteran Charles Kaplan as chief marketing officer, effective April 21. Kaplan will lead the company’s marketing capabilities, in addition to its Opta data insights and editorial services. He will also manage Stats Perform’s sports news teams and the Opta Content Agency, which provides data-led features, storytelling and creative campaign support to help sports organizations, brands and media outlets engage fans and grow their audiences. Kaplan most recently served as chief product and marketing officer at Wynshop, where he helped launch the company on a path to becoming the leading provider of digital commerce and fulfillment solutions for local store-based retailers.
X Games Names Cherie Cohen CRO and Keith Singlaub CFO
Cherie Cohen, most recently the global chief revenue officer at World Surf League, has joined the X Games as global chief revenue officer. Keith Senglaub, a 35-year veteran of corporate finance, has been appointed global chief financial officer. These appointments come on the heels of the announcement of Annie Lokesh, former WNBA business transformation director, as head of XGL—the new X Games league launching in 2026. Cohen has led revenue and brand strategies at organizations spanning surf, soccer and lifestyle sports. Senglaub has led financial strategy across high-growth media, entertainment and technology businesses, and will oversee the company’s fiscal planning as it enters a new phase of innovation and expansion.
Bia Sports Group Hires Two New Exec Team Members
Bia Sports Group, the investment firm behind Sunderland AFC and the World Supercross Championship, has appointed Mike Papadimitriou as chief financial and operating officer and Scott McCubbin as chief commercial officer. Papadimitriou spent over a decade at Formula E, where he helped with financial growth and strategic development as part of the executive team. McCubbin, previously SVP, sales and strategic partnerships, at data and analytics company Sportable, joins with extensive experience in growing commercial sports offerings, having worked as head of business development for Premiership Rugby and also holding roles at Jacksonville Jaguars and West Ham United FC.
PARTNERSHIPS
ATP Tour and Quint Partner to Launch ‘ATP Experiences’
The ATP and Quint have entered into a multiyear partnership that introduces ATP Experiences at select ATP Tour events. As Official Experience and Travel Partner of the ATP Tour, Quint will leverage its expertise to offer fans curated, immersive event packages. ATP Experiences is set to combine tournament tickets with VIP hospitality, luxury hotel accommodations, convenient transportation, official merchandise and other perks. Scheduled for rollout in 2025, ATP Experiences will feature packages for select ATP Tour events.
WNBA’s Valkyries Announce United Airlines as Founding Partner
The Golden State Valkyries and United Airlines announced a multiyear partnership establishing United Airlines as a founding partner and the official airline of the Valkyries. Through this partnership, United Airlines and the Valkyries will elevate women’s sports and invest in communities throughout the Bay Area. United and the Valkyries will work together to connect communities across the Bay Area and provide experiences and programs for local young girls, including a season-long membership program that pairs girls with professional athletes, coaches and leaders from the team.
PIF and Formula E Announce Driving Force
PIF and Formula E announced their Driving Force partnership, “Driving Force Presented by PIF,” an educational program focused on STEM learning and sustainability. Driving Force Presented by PIF is a multi-dimensional learning program designed to engage and inspire students aged 8 to 18 on shaping the future of mobility through interactive workshops, hands-on learning experiences and digital resources. With in-person workshops taking place across the U.S., Saudi Arabia and the U.K., and a comprehensive online learning program, the program will impact more than 50,000 students worldwide.
Gainbridge Signs U.S. Soccer Standout Briana Scurry as Brand Ambassador
Gainbridge has signed a multiyear partnership with Hall of Fame soccer goalkeeper Briana Scurry to serve as a brand ambassador for the company. A two-time Olympic gold medalist, World Cup champion and trailblazer in women’s sports, Scurry will partner with Gainbridge to provide more opportunities for women and youth soccer players, host clinics nationwide and empower women to achieve their financial goals. Scurry joins the Gainbridge roster of women ambassador athletes that includes Indiana Fever guard and 2024 WNBA Rookie of the Year Caitlin Clark, 39-time Grand Slam champion Billie Jean King and 72-time LPGA Tour winner Annika Sörenstam.
Golden State Valkyries to Enter Partnership With Sephora U.S.
The Golden State Valkyries and Sephora U.S. have entered into a multiyear partnership, making the beauty omnichannel retailer a founding partner. Sephora will be the naming rights partner for the team’s 31,800-square-foot Oakland-based performance center, rebranded as the “Sephora Performance Center.” Sephora will also be the presenting partner for the Valkyries content day and training camp. The performance center will feature Sephora-branded elements throughout its spaces. Sephora’s branding will also be visible on the team’s practice jerseys, and the company will offer behind-the-scenes access through the Valkyries’ digital and social media channels. Sephora-branded elements will also be featured throughout the Chase Center with strategic in-arena placements to engage fans.
NASCAR and Elevate Partner to Create ‘NASCAR One, Fueled by Elevate’
Elevate has partnered with NASCAR to develop NASCAR’s new experiential premium hospitality program: NASCAR One, Fueled by Elevate. The multiyear partnership will see Elevate Experiences, the agency’s event and experiential hospitality division, develop premium experience packages, including track access, standalone events, camping enhancements and more across 22 events at 13 NASCAR race tracks. Elevate Experiences will lead NASCAR One commercialization, from overall strategy, product development, business operations and guest services to execution of event-day operations and more. Elevate Experiences and Insights will create, deliver and analyze NASCAR guest and stakeholder feedback to develop premium experiential hospitality offerings, programming and pricing.
Aston Villa FC, Legends Announce Long-Term Partnership
Aston Villa FC announced a multiyear partnership with Legends, a global premium experiences company, to support the strategic growth of the club as it updates Villa Park into a world-class sports and entertainment venue. The partnership with Legends, which delivers fan experiences and drives commercial revenue, aligns with Aston Villa’s long-term strategic vision to create prime experiences for its supporters and establish multiple revenue streams. Legends will support the sales and strategic vision of the premium hospitality offerings at Villa Park.
PRODUCTS
Washington Capitals Launch Capitals Authentics
The Washington Capitals have launched Capitals Authentics, a brand platform created—in partnership with the collectibles company Cllct—to celebrate the franchise’s connection with fans through content, collectibles and community. As part of the launch, the Capitals will debut the first pieces of the Capitals Authentics Collection: the complete and intact nets from Alex Ovechkin’s record-tying and record-breaking 894th and 895th goals. The preserved nets will be featured in a permanent exhibit inside the team’s new venue, currently under construction, and will serve as a cornerstone for what will become a larger collection of cultural artifacts honoring Capitals greatness.
Snap! Mobile Launches All-in-One App
Snap! Mobile, an online fundraising and program management platform for youth athletics and activities, recently launched Snap! Mobile One, an app designed to boost fan and community engagement on the front end while streamlining program and team management, fundraising and financial operations on the backend. Using the Snap! Mobile One app, fans can access up-to-the-minute information on game times and locations, statistics and lineups, ticketing, merchandise and video. For coaches and administrators, Snap! Mobile One delivers a suite of tools to help manage the basics such as schedules, contracts, facilities, transportation and equipment inventory. There are also messaging tools where coaches and ADs can communicate directly with students, parents and/or fans.
