In this week's SPORTSBUSINESS JOURNAL, Michael Smith reports BROOKS DOWNING has "left Lagardère Unlimited to open his own agency in Lexington, Ky., where he will primarily represent college coaches and manage events." Downing, who founded BD Global Sports and will serve as president, will "be heavily invested in the college space, both with coaches and college basketball tournaments and doubleheaders." He started the agency with four clients, "most notably" Indiana Univ. basketball coach TOM CREAN (SPORTSBUSINESS JOURNAL, 11/5 issue).
LICENSE TO DRIVE: In this week's SPORTSBUSINESS JOURNAL, Terry Lefton reports IMG has "tapped former NFL consumer products chief JIM CONNELLY to head its collegiate licensing efforts as a senior vice president with IMG College, whose Collegiate Licensing Co. has licensing rights for around 200 schools." Connelly also will "launch and develop a stadium and arena enhancement initiative." Connelly worked at the NFL from '82 to '07. CORY MOSS, a "17-year CLC veteran who manages the day-to-day operations of CLC out of Atlanta, will now report to Connelly." Meanwhile, IMG College is "removing responsibilities" for CLC from Senior VP MARK DYER, who will "now focus exclusively on leading the unit's business ventures division" (SPORTSBUSINESS JOURNAL, 11/5 issue)
EXECS: The CFL Edmonton Eskimos have ended GM ERIC TILLMAN's contract, effective immediately. The team "couldn't, or wouldn't single out any one reason for firing" Tillman (TORONTO STAR, 11/3)....The 76ers named Grizzlies Basketball Analytics Consultant AARON BARZILAI Basketball Analytics Dir (76ers)....The White Sox promoted VP/Player Development & Special Assignments BUDDY BELL to VP & Assistant GM (White Sox).
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