World Surf League hired CSM Sport & Entertainment Group Managing Dir SOPHIE GOLDSCHMIDT as CEO, taking over for board member and interim CEO DIRK ZIFF. Goldschmidt is an '11 SBJ Forty Under 40 awardee and industry veteran with prior stints at the NBA and WTA. She will relocate from London to Santa Monica, Calif., as part of the move. WSL Holdings, which owns the league, is "charging Goldschmidt with driving the WSL to new heights as it eyes opportunities" like digital and social media growth, global expansion, corporate sponsorship growth and utilizing new technology like the man-made wave company the league bought last year (Adam Stern, Staff Writer) ... A-League side Newcastle Jets appointed outgoing Football Federation Australia National Boys Development Manager MICHAEL COOPER to the role of academy technical director. Cooper will officially commence his position with the Jets in mid-August (Newcastle Jets).
COACHES/MANAGERS: Albania appointed former Italy football int'l CHRISTIAN PANUCCI as its new head coach, replacing GIANNI DE BIASI. The 44-year-old has been hired to lead the team to Euro 2020. Panucci played for AC Milan, Inter Milan, AS Roma and Real Madrid (REUTERS, 7/19). ... Championship rugby side Featherstone Rovers appointed JOHN DUFFY as head coach following the departure of JON SHARP. Duffy, 37, joined the club on a one-year contract after leaving Swinton Lions (BBC, 7/18).
