League Championship club Reading named former Chelsea CEO RON GOURLAY CEO. He replaces NIGEL HOWE, who was named vice-chair. Gourlay succeeded PETER KENYON at Chelsea and also previously served as ManU senior director. Howe will "now focus on the Royal Elm Park development" around Madejski Stadium, as well as "plans for Reading's new training ground" (BBC, 7/10). ... U.K.-based esports organizer Gfinity named former TV production firm Syco exec MARK BRITTAIN CCO. Gfinity "hopes to emulate the commercial success" of the "X Factor." Brittain said that he has identified "at least 60 ways for a brand to get involved" in the esports space since joining the company (THE DRUM, 7/10). ... EMMANUELLE ASSMANN was unanimously re-elected for a second four-year term as president of the French Paralympic & Sports Committee. TANGUY DE LA FOREST will join her as secretary general, FRÉDÉRIC DELPY and MARC TRUFFAUT as VPs, JEAN-JACQUES MULOT as treasurer and HENRI MIAU as deputy secretary general (IPC).
COACHES/MANAGERS: J.League club Sanfrecce Hiroshima named former player JAN JONSSON manager. Jonsson, who replaces HAJIME MORIYASU, will "join Sanfrecce on July 18" (KYODO, 7/10). ... STEVE DAVIS agreed to a two-year deal to become National League side Leyton Orient's first head coach since its takeover last month. Davis was sacked by League Two side Crewe Alexandra in January "after nearly six years in charge" (London EVENING STANDARD, 7/10).
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