Executive Transactions

Catapult Sports President of North America BRIAN KOPP is leaving the wearable technology company after nearly three years. Kopp played a central role in building the company’s American business, including establishing a U.S. headquarters in Chicago, helping the company acquire XOS Digital last year and gaining MLB approval earlier this year for in-game use of its products. Kopp’s next career stop is not yet determined, though he will still work in a limited capacity as senior advisor to Catapult. Prior to joining Catapult in ’14, Kopp was Senior VP/Sports Solutions for Stats LLC (Eric Fisher, Staff Writer).

EXECS: LeadDog Sports Managing Dir JAMEY SUNSHINE is leaving the company after Friday. He will join Nestle USA to head its experiential marketing department (THE DAILY)....Wasserman named Beverly Hills Sports Council agent RAFA NIEVES VP/Baseball. Nieves is an MLBPA certified agent that has been representing players for more than six years (Wasserman)....Columbia Sportswear promoted VP/Finance JIM SWANSON to Senior VP & CFO and VP/Chief Accounting Officer PETER RAUCH to Senior VP & Chief Transformation Officer (Columbia)....MLB named MARK IRVINGS as its independent arbitrator to replace FREDRIC HOROWITZ. Irvings, 68, has "heard baseball salary arbitration cases for the past six years" (AP, 6/15)....The NHL named Padres Dir of Community Outreach ALLISON EDDY Dir of Business Development (THE DAILY)....LAFC promoted Premium Membership Sales Consultant MICHAEL LIENERT to Business Development Manager (LAFC)....The NFL Panthers named Bills Dir of Pro Personnel ROB HANRAHAN Pro Scout and Maverick Sports Consulting President & Owner DAVID TURNER BLESTO Scout. The team also promoted Football Operations Manager BRYAN PORTER to Dir of Football Operations and Football Operations Assistant MIKE ANDERSON to Assistant Dir of Football Operations (Panthers).

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