Executive Transactions

Smeaton Accepts NFL's Buyout

NFL VP/Int'l GORDON SMEATON has accepted the league's buyout offer and is leaving the sport after more than 18 years. Several years ago, he was a contender to assume the top post in the NFL int'l area before the league hired MARK WALLER for that role. Waller, who now runs marketing, has since ceded that space to CHRIS PARSONS. Smeaton said currently he does not have another job lined up. To date, 74 employees have accepted buyouts from the NFL (Daniel Kaplan, SportsBusiness Journal).

EXECS: England's Football Association confirmed IAN WATMORE as CEO starting in June when he leaves his post as Permanent Secretary for the Department for Innovation, Universities & Skills (LONDON TIMES, 2/18)....The WNBA Minnesota Lynx named NLL Portland LumberJax Dir of Corporate Partnerships JAY MAYES Corporate Sales Exec (Lynx)….Babolat named RICH FRANCEY Western Regional Sales Manager. Most recently, Francey was Prince Racquet Sports Territory Manager for southern California and Tennis Warehouse (Babolat).

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