WME-IMG formed a holding company called Endeavor and folded its full portfolio of brands into the new company. ARI EMANUEL will become Endeavor's CEO, while PATRICK WHITESELL will be its exec chair. Emanuel and Whitesell retain their seats on the company BOD. WME and IMG will operate as standalone businesses within Endeavor, with MARK SHAPIRO and IORIS FRANCINI continuing in their roles as co-presidents overseeing both WME and IMG (THE DAILY). ... TIM CROW is departing his role as CEO of Synergy after 18 years with the sponsorship agency. Crow -- who "steered the development of the agency," including its launch in the U.S. two years ago -- will "pursue new ventures" following his departure (SPORT BUSINESS, 10/10). ... Former Australian cricketer DEAN JONES will "take over the role of Afghanistan's head coach on an interim basis and lead the team" in its Intercontinental Cup fixture in Hong Kong. Afghanistan has been without a head coach since August (REUTERS, 10/10).
LEAVING BARÇA: ALBERT SOLER and RAÚL SANLLEHÍ will leave their roles with the Barcelona first team. Soler and Sanllehí have been two of the club's chief negotiators in the transfer market over recent years. A mutual agreement has been reached for Sanllehí to leave on Dec. 1. Soler will remain at Camp Nou but his role as director of professional sports will be "diluted as he takes a step away" from dealing with the Barça football teams. Club President JOSEP MARIA BARTOMEU's plan to restructure behind the scenes has "accelerated in recent days" following the resignations of CARLES VILARRUBÍ and JORDI MONÉS. The announcement of a complete reshuffle is expected after the club's general assembly on Oct. 21 (ESPN.com, 10/10).
