French horseracing governing bodies France Galop, TROT and PMU named LAURENT EICHINGER general director of the country’s horseracing TV channel SAS Equidia. Eichinger has more than 17 years in media notably working as sports director of Canal+ (Equidia). ... SAM ZUSSMAN has been promoted to the newly created role of president of IMG's events group, the company announced on Thursday. The group owns, operates or commercially represents hundreds of events globally, including lifestyle, entertainment and mass participation to traditional sports like golf, tennis, football and motorsports. Zussman, a 10-year vet with IMG, will report to WME-IMG co-President MARK SHAPIRO. He has spent the past two years integrating IMG's events businesses, while also developing sponsorship sales, consumer marketing and operations (Michael Smith, SBD). FITE CEO KOSTA JORDANOV announced the addition of KEITH EVANS as senior VP of events and ROY LANGBORD as an exec adviser for boxing. Jordanov also announced MICHAEL WEBER has been promoted to COO. Evans brings over 17 years of MMA and live TV broadcast experience to FITE. Langbord is a boxing and TV sports industry veteran with over 25 years experience (FITE). ... The Scottish FA announced MALKY MACKAY has been appointed "as the governing body's new performance director." A former professional player, the 44-year-old "previously managed Watford, Cardiff City and Wigan" (STV, 12/15). ... Canadian Football League side Montreal Alouettes announced Concordia University Athletic Dir PATRICK BOIVIN as president & CEO. He has spent time in the NHL Montreal Canadiens' front office. Boivin replaces MARK WEIGHTMAN, who served the past four years. The team also named KAVIS REED GM (Montreal Alouettes).
COACHES/MANAGERS: Successive eliminations from the Portugal Cup and the Europa League “have been fatal” for Portuguese side Braga Manager JOSÉ PESEIRO, who was fired from his position despite having a contract through ’18. Reserve team Manager ABEL FERREIRA “will assume the interim position” (L’ÉQUIPE, 12/15). ... STEPHANE ANTIGA, who recently coached Poland's men's national volleyball team at the 2016 Rio Olympics, "will take over the reins in Canada's men's program." Volleyball Canada announced Wednesday that the former French int'l "will take over the post" from GLENN HOAG, who will remain with the organization and work with Antiga as high performance consultant (CBC, 12/14).
