Viaplay Group has named Cecilia Gave as executive vice president and head of sports, elevating her from her prior position as vice president of sport production at the Nordic media enterprise.
In her new function, Gave will oversee strategic improvement and coordinate the management of Viaplay’s sports operations across all relevant markets. She initial joined the enterprise in 2016, holding many leadership roles, such as vice president and head of sports Norway and senior vice president and group head of Viafree, as effectively as head of operations for MTG Sport Sweden.
Gave replaces Peter Nørrelund, who stepped down final month.
“I am each humbled and honoured to take on the duty of major Viaplay Group’s sports operations into the subsequent phases of our journey,” Gave mentioned.
“Over the years, our enterprise has come to be synonymous with premium sports entertainment and I am excited to operate even closer with our talented teams to continue strengthening our position and to elevate the viewing encounter for sports enthusiasts and beyond even additional.”
Anders Jensen, Viaplay Group president and chief executive added: “I am pretty pleased to announce the appointment of Cecilia as our new head of sports. Cecilia brings a best mix of relevant encounter and fresh new perspectives, important to a rapidly evolving media sector.
“Viaplay has a one of a kind marketplace position with a portfolio of leading-class sports rights, combined with excellent reside coverage and studios, now it is time to additional leverage on these rights, drive development and maximise their complete possible in our markets. Cecilia’s comprehensive encounter and leadership qualities make her the excellent decision to lead our sports division into the fascinating future.”
Elsewhere, technologies giant Meta has carried out its most recent round of layoffs, which has observed various leading sports executives leave the enterprise. As reported by Sportico, head of worldwide sports media partnerships Rob Shaw, director of sports partnerships Kevin Cote, and Dev Sethi, who handled sports creator and college athlete partnerships, are all exiting.
Nike has reshuffled various of its executives, naming Heidi O’Neill as president of customer, solution and brand, Craig Williams as president of geographies and marketplace, Sarah Mensah as president of Jordan Brand, Scott Uzzell as vice president, common manager of North America, and Andy Campio as managing director of strategic organization ventures.
In addition, Matthew Buddy, Nike’s executive vice president and chief economic officer, will also expand his responsibilities to involve procurement, worldwide locations and solutions, and demand and provide management. Michael Spillane, president of customer creation, will retire later in 2023 just after 16 years with the enterprise.
Appointments
Jorge Garbajosa
President, Fiba Europe
Notes: Garbajosa also serves as president of the Spanish Basketball Federation.
Pascale Van Damme
President, Royal Belgian Football Association (RBFA)
Notes: Van Damme, who replaces Paul Van den Bulck, is the RFBA’s initial female president
Juan Carlos Rodriguez
President, Mexican Football Federation (FMF)
Michael Winger
President, Monumental Basketball
Previously: Basic manager, Los Angeles Clippers
Joie Chitwood
Executive director, 2026 Presidents Cup, PGA Tour
Previously: Chief operating officer, Barrett-Jackson Auction Firm
Ryan Shaw
Executive inventive director, Octagon UK
Previously: Inventive director, Octagon
Pietro Moro
Chief operating officer and chief economic officer, Religion of Sports
Previously: Chief economic officer, Gunpowder & Sky
Departures
Brigitte Henriques
President, French Olympic Committee (CNOSF)
Notes: CNOSF common secretary Astrid Guyart will assume the presidency on an interim basis.
Martin Semmens
Chief executive, Southampton FC
Note: Henrik Kraft will continue as the club’s chairman and act as interim chief executive.
Sanjay Patel
Managing director of The Hundred, England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB)
Notes: Patel will leave just after the conclusion of this year’s competitors.
Lisa Murray
Executive vice president, chief advertising and marketing officer and chief diversity officer, Octagon
Notes: Murray will retire from the enterprise at the finish of August.
Barry Blyn
Vice president of analysis, insights and analytics, ESPN
Justin Reeves
Chief executive, Hawthorn Football Club
Note: Hawthorn’s chief industrial officer Ash Klein has been appointed acting chief executive of the Australian Football League (AFL) club.
Yao Ming
Chairman, Chinese Basketball Association (CBA)
Notes: Yao, an eight-time National Basketball Association (NBA) All-Star, has been replaced by Xu Jicheng.