Fox Sports Digital named USA Today Sports Media Group VP/Digital Strategy MARK PESAVENTO its senior VP of content. Pesavento, who helped launch USA Today’s "For the Win" site, will oversee all editorial and video content development for the company, as well as manage Fox Sports' social media relationships with Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. He will report to Exec VP/Digital PETE VLASTELICA and relocate to L.A. Pesavento's career includes stints at Sporting News, LATimes.com and Yahoo Sports (John Ourand, Staff Writer). ... L'Equipe CEO XAVIER SPENDER "officially announced his departure from the group." Spender will be replaced by L'Equipe Managing Editor FABRICE JOUHAUD, who was appointed GM "with the mission to strengthen the chain, its audiences and its results." Jouhaud will report to Amaury Group CEO PHILIPPE CARLI (OFFRE MEDIA, 7/7). ... Nike named Wal-Mart Stores VP/Global Controls & Governance CHRIS ABSTON VP, Corporate Controller & Principal Accounting Officer, effective Aug. 1. He replaces PAO BERNIE PLISKA, who "retires effective July 31" (OREGON LIVE, 7/6). ... The England & Wales Cricket Board has appointed KAMLESH PATEL to its board of directors, with the Labour peer "expected to assist with a renewed push to better connect the governing body with British-Asian communities and promote the game." Under new CEO TOM HARRISON and Chair COLIN GRAVES, there is an acceptance the ECB "needs to better understand and support the sport within British-Asian communities -- a move which could reap benefits in terms of participation figures and talent development" (London GUARDIAN, 7/7). ... Uruguayan coach JORGE FOSSATI was introduced as the new head coach of Qatari side Al Rayyan (GULF TIMES, 7/6). ... Gibraltar named Englishman JEFF WOOD its third coach in its "short" int'l history,” handing him the “task of winning their first point in a competitive match.” Wood, who played for Charlton Athletic, Exeter City, HJK Helsinki and Rabat Ajax, takes over from interim coach DAVE WILSON, who was in charge for three games. ALLEN BULA was Gibraltar’s first coach, “but parted company with the team in March after 18 months” (REUTERS, 7/7).
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