Executive Transactions

In this week's SPORTSBUSINESS JOURNAL, Terry Lefton reports RICK ARNSTEIN, after 15 years at GMR Marketing, has formed his own marketing agency, Team Arnstein. The agency's first client is USRowing, the NGB that has "never had outside sales representation" (SPORTSBUSINESS JOURNAL, 7/26 issue)....Former MLS and FC Barcelona exec TAKEHIKO NAKAMURA and former Islanders employee TAKA SHIRAI have founded LeadOff Sports Marketing, a full-service sports marketing agency headquartered in N.Y. that focuses in sports business development between the U.S. and Japan (Tripp Mickle, SportsBusiness Journal).

FRANCHISES: The Hornets confirmed that Dir of Basketball Administration ANDREW LOOMIS, scouts KIP BASS and KELLY BASS and video coordinator IRVING ROLAND are "no longer employed" by the franchise. Kip and Kelly are the sons of former Hornets Exec VP/Basketball Operations & GM BOB BASS (New Orleans TIMES-PICAYUNE, 7/23)....The Astros have hired Turnstyles Ticketing Outbound Sales Manager CARL GRIDER JR. as Manager of Ticket Sales & Service (THE DAILY).

EXECS: SMG promoted JON PETRUNAK to VP/Arenas & Stadiums and BOB PAPKE to VP/Theaters (SMG)....The U.S. Soccer Foundation has hired WYLIE CHEN as Dir of Programs & Grants and ZOLA SHORT as Programs & Marketing Coordinator (USSF)....U.S. Youth Soccer named JASON VANACOUR General Counsel (LAW.com, 7/23)....San Jose State Univ. promoted the following: MATT WITTY to Associate AD for Business Operations; JODY SMITH to Associate AD for Events & Facilities; MICHAEL BEAUBIEN to Assistant AD for Marketing & Promotions; and ERIC HOWITT to Dir of Equipment Services, Branding & Licensing (SJSU)....The Utah Athletic Foundation hired former U.S. Olympic speedskater DEREK PARRA as Outreach Dir for Youth Sports Programs (SALT LAKE TRIBUNE, 7/23).

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