LUC TARDIF was re-elected president of the French Ice Hockey Federation for a fourth and last term. Tardif is the founding president of the organization. He is also treasurer of the Int'l Ice Hockey Federation Council (IIHF). ... Activision Blizzard added former NBA Associate VP of Int'l Business Development & Global Partnerships JACK HARARI as its first VP of int'l partnerships. Harari spent three of his nearly five years with the NBA working in China, where Activision Blizzard's Overwatch League is currently in market for media rights deals and hopes to add expansion teams. Harari will report to CRO BRANDON SNOW, another NBA China veteran who was hired by the company's esports division this year (Ben Fischer, Staff Writer). ... GUNN MERETE PAULSEN was named general director of the Norwegian Gaming Authority. Paulsen rejoins the regulator after her predecessor ATLE HAMAR was appointed secretary of state for the Ministry of Climate & Environment and stepped down after 18 years (GAMING INTELLIGENCE, 6/19).
COACHES/MANGERS: AS Roma signed coach EUSEBIO DI FRANCESCO to a new two-year contract after a "successful first season at the Stadio Olimpico." The 48-year-old guided the club to a third-place finish in Serie A and the Champions League semifinals. Di Francesco took over from LUCIANO SPALLETTI last June (REUTERS, 6/18). ... National League side Macclesfield Town appointed Solihull Moors coach MARK YATES as its new manager on a three-year deal. Yates replaces JOHN ASKEY (BBC, 6/19). ... Argentine Superliga side Gimnasia named JOSÉ MARÍA BIANCO its coach. He previously coached several Argentine clubs including Quilmes and Arsenal (DIARIO UNO, 6/18).
