Jul 2020 staff moves and industry news in one spot — updated as they happen, so make sure you check back throughout the month.
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PEOPLE
Felicia Mayo tabbed Nike‘s Chief Talent, Diversity & Culture Officer, from VP, Diversity. She replaces Chief Diversity Officer Kellie Leonard who is stepping down.
Pegula Sports & Entertainment names two executives to the Senior Leadership Team: Jason Sinnarajah joins the Buffalo Bills as SVP, Business Administration, while Mike McFarlane has been named PSE SVP, Finance & Administration. Previously, Sinnarajah was SVP, Strategy & Growth at Ziff Davis, while McFarlane was CFO, Petri Baking Products, Inc.
Yaneris Rosa, joins WWE as VP, Legal & Business Affairs from General Counsel, Security & Safety & Buoy Businesses at Resideo.
Washington Football Team names Terry Bateman EVP & Chief Marketing Officer and Julie Donaldson, SVP, Media.
BRANDS, HOLDING COMPANIES, LEAGUES & TEAMS
Jul 6, 2020
Premier Lacrosse League (PLL) unveils a new partnership with Mendi ahead of the PLL Championship Series, the two-week spectator-free tournament that replaces the league’s 2020 season and is scheduled to start July 25 at Zions Bank Stadium in Salt Lake City.
Jul 7, 2020
Los Angeles FC (LAFC) announces four new corporate partners: Patria Energy/Arriba Chelada, Los Angeles Department of Water & Power (LADWP), Panda Express and Power Crunch. The details:
- Patria Energy/Arriba Chelada–Patria Energy drink and Arriba Chelada, a michelada mix, will be available at Banc of California Stadium. Additionally, Patria Energy/Arriba Chelada will have co-branded, in-market retail promotions throughout the greater Los Angeles area.
- LADWP–will sponsor LAFC Foundation’s installation of four water filtration stations at LAFC futsal court locations across the city. The partnership also includes LAFC Street Team appearances at games.
- Panda Express–brings their “Learn With Me” program to 3rd to 5th grade students across L.A. to provide education about Lunar New Year and the traditional Chinese calendar.
- Power Crunch–is donating Power Crunch Bars to benefit LAFC’s American Red Cross Blood Drive donors. The protein bar company also activated during LAFC’s home opener fan fest and has donated product for several of LAFC’s community-driven initiatives. They also hosted a co-branded sweepstakes with LAFC and grocery retailer, Ralph’s.
Jul 10, 2020
PLL partners with Progressive Insurance. During the tournament, Progressive will receive on-field LED signage and custom goal net wrap branding—a first-of-its-kind advertising asset for lacrosse. Progressive will also become the official jersey patch sponsor of PLL franchise Redwoods LC.
Jul 13, 2020
The Washington Redskins will drop the team name and Indian head logo in response to pressure from sponsors and long-standing criticism that both are offensive to Native Americans. The new name and logo will be revealed at a future date.
UPDATED July 23, 2020: Franchise will be called “Washington Football Team” pending the adoption of their new name.
Jul 15, 2020
Buffalo Bills and New Era announce “that New Era has asked to be released from their naming rights and sponsorship deal with the Bills. The Bills and New Era are currently negotiating the details of this separation and the Bills are beginning the process of pursuing a new naming rights partner for the stadium.” This ends their seven-year, $35 million agreement less than four years into the deal.
— Buffalo Bills (@BuffaloBills) July 15, 2020
Jul 21, 2020
Edmonton Eskimos announce they will discontinue the “Eskimo” moniker and will begin a comprehensive engagement process on a new name. In the meantime, the club will use the names “EE Football Team” and “Edmonton Football Team.” Edmonton team president Chris Presson said in a video conference that the club wants to keep its double-E logo, as well as its green-and-gold colors.
The National Women’s Soccer League‘s first foray into California, Angel City FC, is unveiled with a large investor and advocate group that includes actress Natalie Portman, venture capitalist Kara Nortman, tennis legend Serena Williams and her husband, the tech entrepreneur Alexis Ohanian; media consultant Julie Uhrman; and more than a dozen former members of the U.S. Women’s National Team. The team will begin play in 2022.
The time has come to reshape expectations on & off the soccer field.
This is the place. The time is now. Welcome to the beginning. #WeAreAngelCity pic.twitter.com/M3bvsmiAfm
— We Are Angel City (@weareangelcity) July 21, 2020
Jul 22, 2020
National Lacrosse League awards the league’s 14th franchise to Fort Worth, Texas, with Bill Cameron as the majority owner and Greg Bibb as Managing Partner. The NLL’s first Texas-based team will play at Dickies Arena in Fort Worth (capacity: 14,000; opened Nov 2019; managed by Trail Drive Management Corp.) beginning with the 2021-22 season. The Fort Worth team name, logo, and colors will be announced later this year.
The Charlotte-based Major League Soccer expansion team announces it will be called “Charlotte FC” and releases logo, marks and colors.
Jul 23, 2020
NHL Seattle, the National Hockey League’s 32nd team, unveils its team name, “Seattle Kraken,” along with team logo, colors and initial branding. Team CEO Tod Leiweke also announces all proceeds from the team’s new merchandise will go to team community partners YouthCare, Community Passageways and the Urban League of Metropolitan Seattle through Aug 21.
Jul 24, 2020
Marquee Sports Network, the new regional sports network jointly owned by the Chicago Cubs and Sinclair Broadcast Group, and Comcast end their standoff and announce a carriage agreement. Comcast provides service to approximately 50 percent of Chicago area households.
Jul 29, 2020
The Detroit Pistons, the Phoenix Suns and the NBA G League announce that the Suns have agreed to sell the NBA G League’s Northern Arizona Suns to the Pistons. Through the 2020-21 season, the N. Ariz. Suns will remain affiliated with, and operated by, the Phoenix Suns. Following the end of the 2020-21 season, the team will relocate to Detroit’s Wayne State University.
Jul 31, 2020
Subway restaurants become an Official Sponsor of the NFL in a “multi-year” deal. Subway gains exclusive marketing rights and activation opportunities at NFL events and experiences. The brand will also sponsor NFL Flag, the largest U.S. flag football league and support NFL Play 60, which is dedicated to keeping youth active and healthy.
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Updated: Sep 11, 2020