Both the N.Y. TIMES' Richard Sandomir and BRANDWEEK's
Terry Lefton report that NFLP Senior VP/Marketing & Fan
Development HOWARD HANDLER is leaving the league to join
Burly Bear Network, a cable TV network and Web site for
college students. Lefton reports that Handler is leaving
"five years after" joining NFLP as "one of its youngest
senior execs." Handler had led the league's creative
efforts, including the in-house "Feel the Power" campaign.
Handler's resignation "comes amidst broad-based changes" at
NFLP, "which the league is trying to integrate within its
own structure." Lefton reports that functions that reported
to Handler will now report to league Exec VP/Business,
Properties & Club Services ROGER GOODELL or Exec VP & CFO
TOM SPOCK, who "along with" General Counsel & Exec VP JEFF
PASH "represent the new power elite at the league." Lefton:
"Early word was the Handler's specific job would not be
replaced, although insiders said that the league will look
for a new [CMO], with USTA's PIERCE O'NEIL one name that has
been bandied about" (BRANDWEEK ONLINE, 5/26).
