RICK BRACE was named as President of TSN NetStar Sports
and VP of CTV Sports and the Outdoor Life Network. In
Montreal, Pat Hickey writes that the "appointment is a
signal" from CTV that it "doesn't plan to tinker" with TSN
after acquiring the network earlier this year. Brace's
"path was cleared" last week when SUZANNE STEEVES resigned
as Senior VP & GM of CTV Sports (Montreal GAZETTE, 5/16).
Brace said that his "biggest challenge will be marrying" the
sports network with CTV and finding "what synergies exist
between CTV and TSN and Outdoor Life (TORONTO STAR, 5/16).
MOVES AT THE ATP TOUR: MATTHEW RAPP was named VP/PR for
the ATP Tour, replacing FRAN MICHELMAN, who has resumed her
PR consultancy practice. Michelman will continue to assist
the Tour on special projects. The Tour also promoted IGGY
JOVANOVIC to Dir of Player Promotion (ATP Tour).
OTHER EXECS: The NBA named JODY SHAPIRO to the newly
created position of VP/Business Development, NBA New Media
and TV Ventures. Shapiro will report to NBA New Media and
TV Ventures President ED DESSER. Previously, Shapiro was
Senior VP/CBS Cable and GM of Home Team Sports (NBA). In
DC, Eric Fisher reports that Shapiro will have "significant
authority" over NBA.com TV and NBA.com (WASHINGTON TIMES,
5/16)....The NBA also named MILT NEWTON to the newly created
position of Dir of Player Personnel (NBA)....ECHL Charlotte
Checkers President & GM STEVE CAMP "left the organization"
after his two-year contract expired yesterday. Camp said
that he "hasn't ruled out returning" to the team under new
Owner RAY WOOLDRIDGE, but that "seems unlikely" (CHARLOTTE
OBSERVER, 5/16)....STEVEN VANDERPOOL was named Dir of Writer
Relations for SportsWritersDirect, a subsidiary of Broadband
Sports. Vanderpool was VP/Communications for the '99 U.S.
Women's World Cup team. He also was Dir of PR for MLS
during the league's inaugural season (Broadband Sports).
.....ABC News' LISA SALTERS and FSN Chicago's ANN WERNER
have joined ESPN as assignment reporters. Their reports
will be seen on "SportsCenter," ESPNews and other ESPN news
studio programs (ESPN)....Motorsports portal
SpeedMonster.com named LLOYD WARD as CEO (SpeedMonster.com).