CAA Sports has decided to restructure its int'l operations and as a result, longtime soccer exec Peter Kenyon, who was assisting the agency in growing its int'l profile, is leaving the company by mutual agreement, CAA said. "As a result of a strategic restructuring related to CAA Sports’ international business, Peter Kenyon and CAA Sports have jointly decided to end our employment relationship," CAA Sports said in a statement. "We are proud of the work we have accomplished with Peter. Led by a team that includes a number of recently added executives, we have seen consistent success, in the U.S. and around the world, creating meaningful opportunities for the agency and clients in the global sports marketplace." Kenyon, who was hired in ‘09 and formerly held chief exec positions with EPL clubs Chelsea and Manchester United, was based in CAA's London office. Kenyon worked alongside CAA Sports co-Heads Howard Nuchow and Michael Levine. Kenyon's departure is related to a decision to restructure CAA Sports from a geographically-based leadership approach to a practice-based approach, a source said. Attempts to reach Kenyon for comment were unsuccessful. Two international sports execs who Kenyon hired, Philippe Le Floc'h and Peter Draper, are also leaving, a source said. Le Floc'h was based in Dubai and Draper was based in London. Attempts to reach them for comment were also unsuccessful (Liz Mullen, SportsBusiness Journal). In London, Matt Scott notes the move comes after Kenyon and CAA had a "disagreement over its strategic direction" (GUARDIAN, 10/12).
ANOTHER REASON FOR THE DEPARTURE: BLOOMBERG NEWS' Tariq Panja reported Kenyon's departure also comes after FIFA "said it was looking into whether an investment fund Kenyon set up for CAA that buys portions of soccer players' economic rights violates its rules." The fund "invested in the future transfer value of about 15 players." CAA indicated that the "personnel moves aren't connected to the fund" (BLOOMBERG NEWS, 10/11).
