The Canadian Olympic Committee named Senior Advisor & Corporate Secretary ROBIN BRUDNER interim CEO after CHRIS OVERHOLT announced he is "stepping down after seven years" in the position, according to Donna Spencer of the CP. Brudner "spent almost 18 years working" for MLSE, eventually "rising to the position" of Exec VP, General Counsel & Corporate Secretary. She was the "first female general counsel in the NBA." This move comes after COC previously asked Brudner to "do work she had never done before" after former President Marcel Aubut’s resignation in October '15. She has "yet to decide if she’ll put her name forth as a candidate for the CEO position going forward." Brudner said, “It’s too big an opportunity for me to make that decision without really giving it consideration.” Under Overholt, Canada at the PyeongChang Games "posted its best medal total at a Winter Olympics" with 29 medals. During Overholt's tenure, the COC also "instituted the Game Plan program that helps athletes transition from their competitive careers into the professional realm" (CP, 9/5). SPORTSNET.ca's Elliotte Friedman noted Brudner was with the Raptors for "almost 20 years." She was an "important part" of MLSE and had a "reputation for being polite, but firm and tough." After leaving MLSE in '13, Brudner "started her own consulting company" (SPORTSNET.ca, 9/5).
NEXT STEP: Overholt will become team president of the Overwatch League expansion franchise in Toronto, sources said, confirming that he has agreed to lead the new team, which is being bankrolled by Penguins investor MICHAEL KIMEL. Overholt’s participation was a condition of Activision Blizzard approving the Toronto franchise, sources said. Overholt is among the most prominent sports business execs yet to turn to esports. Before the COC, he had stints with the Dolphins, NHL Panthers and MLSE. Overholt did not return messages seeking comment (Ben Fischer).
