Former NBA Media & Marketing Group President DAVID SCHREFF has accepted a job as COO of the Americas for Sportech, which supplies pari-mutuel wagering technology to racetracks, off-track venues and casinos. Schreff will be based at Sportech’s North American HQs in New Haven, Conn., and has responsibility for Latin America and the U.S., where Sportech has around 700 employees. Schreff has worked in sports, entertainment and media for more than 30 years, including positions with Disney, Marvel, and Showtime. He worked at the NBA from '90-96 and was Chair of USA Volleyball from '08-11. Schreff’s sports marketing background makes him an intriguing hire, with cash-strapped states like New Jersey seeking to grab a piece of the estimated $350B illegal gambling business in America. Could the hiring of someone like Schreff mean that the market is opening up to regulation and legitimacy, as it has in the U.K., where Sportech is headquartered? “I have no crystal ball on that," said Schreff, “but when and if that happens, we are well positioned for what appears to be a big opportunity” (Terry Lefton, THE DAILY)
EXECS: U.S. Ski & Snowboard Association President & CEO BILL MAROLT “will depart the position in spring 2014.” The 69-year-old Marolt called his decision "part of a long planned succession.” Marolt joined the USSA in ’96 after serving as Univ. of Colorado AD (SKIRACING.com, 11/26)….The Eagles appointed former Philadelphia Inquirer Managing Editor ANNE GORDON to the newly-created position of Senior VP/Media & Communications, beginning Jan. 2 (Eagles)….The Triple-A Int’l League Charlotte Knights promoted VP & GM DAN RAJKOWSKI to VP & COO. In his new role, Rajkowski will focus his efforts on the under-construction BB&T Ballpark in downtown Charlotte. The club also named Single-A Carolina League Myrtle Beach Pelicans GM SCOTT BROWN GM of Baseball Operations (Knights)….Turfway Park promoted Operations Manager DANIEL BACH to GM (COURIER-JOURNAL.com, 11/30)….Intrust Bank Arena named Guest Services Coordinator JESSICA ELMQUIST Event Coordinator (Intrust Bank Arena)….Northern Arizona Univ. named George Washington Univ. Assistant Dir for Athletics Development TANYA VOGEL Senior Associate AD (NAU).
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