France Télévisions Public Sports TV Dir DANIEL BILALIAN “will leave his post at the end of the year.” Two names are reportedly “favorited to follow Bilalian:” former TF1 Sporting Head ERIC HANNEZO and former Eurosport boss LAURENT-ERIC LE LAY (LIBERATION, 8/23). ... The NBA L.A. Lakers signed Chinese Olympian and power forward YI JIANLIAN "following his performance at the Olympics in Rio de Janeiro." Yi last played in the NBA in '12. He has spent the "past four seasons playing in the Chinese Basketball Association and is considered the second most popular player on the mainland," after YAO MING (BBC, 8/24). ... KELLY SLATER returned to the winner's podium at the age of 44 "as he claimed the latest stop of the World Surf League's top tour." American veteran Slater "beat young Hawaiian star JOHN JOHN FLORENCE in the final of the Billabong Pro in Tahiti." In a "barrell riding shootout at the intimidating Teahupoo reef break, Slater scored a near-perfect combined total of 19.62 for his two best rides" (STUFF, 8/24). ... Former Real Madrid player RONALDO is reportedly "returning to the Bernabeu as a global ambassador." The Brazilian icon, 39, will "also work in an advisory role" reporting to club President FLORENTINO PÉREZ, who signed him in '02. Ronaldo's new role will begin in September (THE SUN, 8/24).
SUCCESSION PLAN: Serie A side AS Roma will enlist former Milan Dir UMBERTO GANDINI as its new CEO, succeeding ITALO ZANZI. President JAMES PALLOTTA's "reshaping of the Giallorossi's hierarchies continues." According to the Corriere della Sera, and "barring dramatic sudden developments," next month Gandini will be appointed as Roma's new CEO. Gandini has "more than 20 years of experience as a director for Milan" (FOOTBALL ITALIA, 8/24).
