West Coast Conference Commissioner JAMIE ZANINOVICH had his contract extended through the '16-17 academic year. Zaninovich is in his sixth year after being named the second full-time WCC Commissioner in '08. He was named to SportsBusiness Journal's "40 Under 40" list in '10 (WCC). In San Jose, Jon Wilner wrote the extension was a "no-brainer for the conference given what Zaninovich has managed to accomplish in six years ... adding BYU and Pacific … turning the basketball tournament in Las Vegas into a sold-out, money-making event … increasing Pacific Rim exposure through ESPN international broadcasts, etc. … and his ability to find new revenue streams." Sources said that his contract "has been in the works for months." WCC presidents "smartly provided Zaninovich with more security than a three-year deal typically carries." His contract is "a rollover agreement, meaning one year is added each time one year expires" (MERCURYNEWS.com, 5/24).
WHAT A RUSH: The NLL Edmonton Rush yesterday parted ways with club President DAVE JAMIESON (EDMONTON JOURNAL, 5/31). Jamieson, who is out after less than eight months in the position, said, "There doesn’t need to be a lot of drama surrounding it. You wish them the best. At the end of the day, it’s a business and they can determine what’s best for them and I understand it" (EDMONTON SUN, 5/31).
EXECS: NFL Dir of Corporate Communications Dir DAN MASONSON is leaving his position and will take over as NBC Sports Group Senior Dir of Communications, effective June 18 (THE DAILY)....St. Louis-based KMOV-CBS named MAURICE DRUMMOND Sports Dir (STLTODAY.com, 5/31)....Premier Partnerships named SPENCER WOLF Marketing Services Coordinator and ROBERT O'KEEFE Corporate Partnerships Assistant (THE DAILY)....Winston-Salem State Univ. AD BILL HAYES was given a three-year contract extension through March '16. Hayes, who "makes $145,000 a year, will not receive a salary increase" (WINSTON-SALEM JOURNAL, 5/31)....Southern New Hampshire Univ. named CODY CRANOR Assistant AD/Compliance (SNHU).
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