Canadian Olympic Committee CEO CHRIS OVERHOLT will become team president of the Overwatch League expansion franchise in Toronto, sources said. Overholt on Wednesday said that he would be leaving the COC after eight years, and will be replaced by Senior Advisor/Corporate Secretary ROBIN BRUDNER on an interim basis. Overholt did not identify his next employer, only to say he would be taking a leadership role that would be announced soon. But OWL sources confirmed that Overholt agreed to lead the new team, which is being bankrolled by NHL Pittsburgh Penguins investor MICHAEL KIMEL; OverActive Media Group; Splyce, the esports team partially owned by Delaware North; and Westdale Construction (Ben Fischer, Staff Writer). ... CAA Sports appointed RACHEL CONLAN to help "build brand and business opportunities for its clients." Conlan formerly served as global chief marketing operations officer for Havas, during which time she worked with brands such as IBM, Reckitt Benckiser and Citibank (THE DRUM, 9/5). ... Ligue 1 side Girondins de Bordeaux appointed former Brazilian int’l RICARDO as its GM. He previously coached the club from ’05-07. The club also confirmed ÉRIC BEDOUET as coach. Bedouet has been caretaker coach since GUS POYET was suspended last month (L’ÉQUIPE, 9/5). ... Liga MX side América announced it hired former Barcelona exec ARTURO DE LA FUENTE as director of operations for its new U.S. office (LA AFICIÓN, 9/4).
COACHES/MANAGERS: JOSÉ PÉKERMAN left his role as Colombia's national football team manager after six years in charge. The Argentine guided Colombia to the knockout stages in the last two World Cups and to third place at the 2016 Copa América. After a last-16 exit to England in Russia this summer, the 69-year-old "decided against renewing his contract" (SKY SPORTS, 9/4). ... South Korean men's national basketball head coach HUR JAE resigned Wednesday following a third-place finish at the Asian Games. South Korea captured gold at the 2014 Asian Games but lost to Iran 80-68 in the semifinals this year (YONHAP, 9/5).
