The NBA-and NCAA-owned iHoops has “hired DERRICK GODFREY as its chief executive officer,” according to John Lombardo of SPORTSBUSINESS JOURNAL. Godfrey, who was previously MLBAM VP/Int’l Development, replaces former iHoops CEO LEN ELMORE, “who left the organization in February.” Godfrey signed “a three-year contract” to become the third iHoops CEO since the venture was launched. He is “counting on his previous digital media background to grow iHoops.com, which counts 750,000 unique visitors a month” (SPORTSBUSINESS JOURNAL, 5/21 issue). Godfrey said, “It may ruffle some feathers, but we need to have more exposure beyond the signage. AAU basketball has a huge footprint and we need to get in the gyms where these players are. They need to know who we are and what we’re about.” He also said of the shoe companies that sponsor summer teams, “We have to get everybody rowing in the same direction. That’s the challenge. If this is going to work, we’re going to have to form an alliance and all be on the same page.” Godfrey added, “There are people (at iHoops) who have been in the trenches for a few years and I want to get their thoughts” (INDIANAPOLIS STAR, 5/21).
