Executive Transactions

NBA VP/Referee Development & Performance BOB DELANEY "will no longer oversee the league's game officials." The NBA has been "pursuing a more data-driven and analytical management structures over referees, integrating more technology as part of its officiating program." Sources said that President of League Operations BYRON SPRUELL is "directing the NBA's search for Delaney's replacement, which could include a retired referee in a high-ranking management role reporting to a new director." Sources added that the league "will continue to use Delaney and other ex-referees in the teaching process with officials" (ESPN.com, 9/18).

EXECS: The D-backs named Palace Sports & Entertainment Senior VP/HR JOE WALSH VP/HR. The team also promoted JEFF BARNES to Dir of Accounting (THE DAILY)....Learfield named GM for its Old Dominion Univ. Sports Properties CHUCK GRAY to the same role for its newly established Atlantic 10 Sports Properties team (Learfield)....N.Y.-based creative agency Bullish hired Droga5 Art Dir JJ KRAFT and Copywriter GERMAN RIVERA HUDDERS for its creative team. Bullish also named LAURA HOCKSTAD Associate (THE DAILY)....The Blue Jackets named Crew Community Relations & Foundation Coordinator MICHELLE BRUEGGEMAN Manager of Education & Community Partnerships. The team also hired the following: MEREDITH BUSH as Community Development Coordinator; CARSON REIDER as Social Media Coordinator; and MATT HOGAN as Season Sales Account Exec (THE DAILY)....Exec search firm Prodigy Sports has acquired Ascension Sports Partners, whose President & CEO DAN ROSSETTI will assume the role of Prodigy Sports President (Prodigy)....Ad/marketing firm IMRE named R/GA Marketing Dir ASHLEY HELTNE VP/Consumer Packaging Goods and GM for the L.A. office. IMRE also promoted MEGAN FOX to Account Exec within its consumer/sports business unit (THE DAILY).

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