Matt King, chief executive of US fantasy sports and online betting firm FanDuel, is stepping down.
King has led the New York-headquartered company since November 2017. He initially joined FanDuel, which is owned by Irish bookmaking giant Flutter Entertainment, in 2014 as chief financial officer, before leaving in 2016 to join insurance broker Cottingham & Butler as president of regional operations and corporate development.
“It has been a privilege to lead FanDuel over the last four years through what has been an incredibly exciting period for the company,” said King.
“With FanDuel well positioned for the next chapter of its growth and always an entrepreneur at heart, now is the time for me to take on new opportunities as the next step in my career.”
King will remain at the company while it appoints his successor.
Peter Jackson, Flutter Entertainment chief executive, added: “FanDuel has achieved so much in the three years since PASPA [the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act] was repealed and that is due in no small part to Matt’s leadership and the strong team built around him.
“While we will be sorry to see him leave, he leaves the business in great shape. We are starting the process of looking for a new CEO for FanDuel and we remain focused on maintaining our leadership position in the US market.”
King’s departure has prompted speculation that FanDuel could delay plans for an initial public offering (IPO). Flutter has stated that it will ‘continue to keep this option under review’ with regards to a public listing.
Elsewhere, the Pac-12 Conference has announced George Kliavkoff as its new commissioner. The 54-year-old joins from MGM Resorts International, where he was president of entertainment and sports. Kliavkoff has signed a five-year contract, which begins on 1st July.
“I am thrilled to be the Pac-12 commissioner. This is a challenging time for intercollegiate athletics, but I believe these challenges also create significant opportunities,” Kliavkoff said. “I loved being a student-athlete, and I’m passionate about the doors that college sports and higher education open for young women and men. My job at the Pac-12 will be to help manage the balance between continued academic excellence, student-athlete well-being and an even higher level of athletic achievement.”
The National Hockey League’s Florida Panthers have named Sam Doerr as chief strategy officer and Bryce Hollweg as executive vice president. Additionally, the franchise has hired Joshua Korlin as vice president of corporate partnerships and promoted Adam Summerell to senior vice president, sales, services and ticket operations, Adam Lawson to vice president, sales and service, Chiara DeLuca to vice president, ticket operations and event sales and Janine Kurpiel to vice president of merchandising and retail operations.
The Panthers also announced that chief operating officer Sean McCaffrey will depart the organisation to pursue a role with Virtu Financial.
Surrey County Cricket Club have announced that chief executive Richard Gould will leave the club after a decade in charge at the Kia Oval. Gould, who joined Surrey CCC in 2011, is to become the new chief executive of second tier English soccer club Bristol City. Charlie Hodgson, managing director of the Kia Oval, will step up to interim chief executive.
ESPN has promoted Mike Shiffman to senior vice president, production and Brian Lockhart to senior vice president, ESPN+ original content and ESPN Films.
Former Premier League executive chairman Richard Scudamore has joined real-time engagement platform Monterosa as a non-executive director.
Spanish soccer giants Barcelona have dismissed William T Mannarelli, director of real estate and Espai Barca, according to the Ara newspaper.
Former Big Ten Commissioner Jim Delany has joined ShotTracker as an adviser.
Additional appointments
Simon Danker
Chief executive, Motorsport.tv
Previously: Managing director, Glandore Media
Nikki Fargas
President, Las Vegas Aces
Previously: Head coach, Louisiana State University (LSU) Lady Tigers basketball team
Shirin Malkani
Chief commercial officer, Buzzer
Previously: Partner, head of strategic partnerships and general counsel, Known
Will Misselbrook
Chief creative and digital officer, Washington Football Team
Previously: Global head of creative, The Wall Street Journal
Shaun Gregory
Group chief executive, EMG
Previously: Chief executive, Iyuno Media Group
Lee Estroff
Director of technical operations, Turner Sports
Previously: Vice president of sales, Bexel Global Broadcast Solutions
Stephane Bazire
Head of business sustainability, Silverstone Circuits Ltd
Previously: Head of operations – business strategy and sustainability officer, Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya
Nigel Lythgoe
Creative partner and executive producer, Triller Fight Club Events
Notes: Lythgoe, the creator of TV shows Pop Idol and American Idol, will also work with Triller to create the new series ‘So You Think You Can Fight’.
Valerie Amos
Independent non-executive director, England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB)
Notes: The ECB’s 41 members also unanimously ratified the reappointment of the other continuing directors: Ian Watmore, Alan Dickinson, Barry O’Brien, Brenda Trenowden, Jim Wood, Katie Bickerstaffe, Lucy Pearson, Martin Darlow, Ron Kalifa, Scott Smith and Tom Harrison.
Abdelkader Zitouni
Advisor, MENA, Gravity Media
Previously: Director of media rights, BeIN Media Group
