Former EPL club Manchester United Dir and former BBC Chair GREG DYKE "has agreed to take on the challenge of leading" the English FA. Dyke, who was "ousted in controversial circumstances in 2004 ... will take over as FA chairman from DAVID BERNSTEIN when he steps down after two and a half years in July." Dyke's appointment was "unanimously approved by the FA board on Thursday and he will take over on 13 July, assuming it is rubber-stamped by the FA Council." He "benefits from not taking over in a time of crisis" (GUARDIAN, 3/22). In London, Henry Winter writes Dyke could "prove an inspired appointment as Football Association chairman as long as he sticks to his principles and does not yield to the pressures from clubs that habitually restrict the head governor" (London TELEGRAPH, 3/22). Also in London, Ashling O'Connor writes, "For an organisation routinely pilloried by fans and the media, the appointment of Greg Dyke should be an instant morale booster." Dyke is a "man of the people, with an earthy West London accent and few pretensions" (LONDON TIMES, 3/22).
EXECS: The 49ers promoted Dir of Football Operations & Sports Medicine JEFF FERGUSON to VP/Football Operations (49ers)....Bensussen Deutsch & Associates promoted VP/Marketing Alliances ROB MARTIN to CMO (BDA)....PGA Tour Reno-Tahoe Open Exec Dir JANA SMOLEY will resign, but remain on the tournament's BOD (Reno-Tahoe Open)....The Big Ten Network promoted KIM BEAUVAIS to VP/Human Resources & Business Operations (BTN)....MLS Chivas USA named former MLSer JUAN FRANCISCO PALENCIA Dir of Soccer for the club and Liga MX club Chivas de Guadalajara (MLSSOCCER.com, 3/22)....F1 team Mercedes Grand Prix CEO NICK FRY will "step down," and Exec Dir TOTO WOLFF will "take on a greater role including many of Fry's responsibilities in the day-to-day running of the team alongside team principal ROSS BRAWN" (AP, 3/22).
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