Viaplay promotes Cecilia Gave to EVP and head of sports, plus far more

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 business.

In her new function, Gave will oversee strategic improvement and coordinate the management of Viaplay’s sports operations across all relevant markets. She initially joined the business in 2016, holding several leadership roles, which includes vice president and head of sports Norway and senior vice president and group head of Viafree, as properly 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 top Viaplay Group’s sports operations into the subsequent phases of our journey,” Gave mentioned.

“Over the years, our business has develop into synonymous with premium sports entertainment and I am excited to function even closer with our talented teams to continue strengthening our position and to elevate the viewing practical experience for sports enthusiasts and beyond even additional.”

Anders Jensen, Viaplay Group president and chief executive added: “I am quite pleased to announce the appointment of Cecilia as our new head of sports. Cecilia brings a best mix of relevant practical experience and fresh new perspectives, important to a rapid evolving media sector.

“Viaplay has a special market place position with a portfolio of top rated-class sports rights, combined with fantastic reside coverage and studios, now it is time to additional leverage on these rights, drive development and maximise their complete prospective in our markets. Cecilia’s substantial practical experience and leadership qualities make her the excellent option to lead our sports division into the thrilling future.”

Elsewhere, technologies giant Meta has carried out its most recent round of layoffs, which has noticed many top rated sports executives leave the business. 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 many of its executives, naming Heidi O’Neill as president of customer, item and brand, Craig Williams as president of geographies and marketplace, Sarah Mensah as president of Jordan Brand, Scott Uzzell as vice president, basic manager of North America, and Andy Campio as managing director of strategic company ventures.

In addition, Matthew Pal, Nike’s executive vice president and chief monetary officer, will also expand his responsibilities to consist of procurement, worldwide locations and solutions, and demand and provide management. Michael Spillane, president of customer creation, will retire later in 2023 right after 16 years with the business.

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 initially female president

Juan Carlos Rodriguez
President, Mexican Football Federation (FMF)

Michael Winger
President, Monumental Basketball
Previously: Common manager, Los Angeles Clippers

Joie Chitwood
Executive director, 2026 Presidents Cup, PGA Tour
Previously: Chief operating officer, Barrett-Jackson Auction Enterprise

Ryan Shaw
Executive inventive director, Octagon UK
Previously: Inventive director, Octagon

Pietro Moro
Chief operating officer and chief monetary officer, Religion of Sports
Previously: Chief monetary officer, Gunpowder &amp Sky

Departures

Brigitte Henriques
President, French Olympic Committee (CNOSF)
Notes: CNOSF basic 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 right 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 business at the finish of August.

Barry Blyn
Vice president of investigation, 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.