Sky Sports
UK pay-TV network Sky Sports has appointed Jo Osborne as its first head of women’s sport.
Osborne, who previously worked as an executive producer at the Comcast-owned broadcaster, has already played a key role in shaping Sky’s women’s sport strategy.
In the new dedicated position, Osborne will report to executive director of development Anna Kessel and work collaboratively with executive director of content Steve Smith to help establish Sky Sports as the UK’s largest broadcaster and investor in women’s sport.
“I’m delighted to be taking on this role at such a pivotal time for women’s sport,” Osborne said.
“I look forward to working with my colleagues across the business and our partners to grow and champion our women’s sport rights and bring this exciting content to an even wider audience.”
Jonathan Licht, Sky Sports’ managing director, added: “At Sky Sports we are proud of our women’s sport coverage, and strong portfolio of rights. We want to grow that investment with a clear strategy that helps tell our story and make Sky Sports famous for being the home of women’s sport.”
Elsewhere, English soccer giants Arsenal have announced that owner Stan Kroenke and director Josh Kroenke have been appointed co-chairs in a boardroom restructure. Tim Lewis has also been named as the club’s executive vice chair, having been on the board as a non-executive director since 2020.
US-based video streaming service FloSports has brought in Jayar Dolan as chief content officer and Gene Chuang as senior vice president, engineering.
Appointments
Clare Connor
Deputy chief executive and managing director of England Women, England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB)
Previously: Interim chief executive, ECB
Notes: Beth Barrett-Wild will also become director, women’s professional game, expanding her current remit with The Hundred to include wider leadership responsibilities across the women’s professional game.
Tony Sutton
Chief executive, the Rugby Football League (RFL)
Previously: Interim chief executive, RFL
Drew Barrand
Chief executive, British Swimming
Previously: Commercial and sales director, Laureus
Frederic Brousseau
Chief operating officer, Williams Racing
Previously: Vice president, operations, Pratt & Whitney (P&W)
Sarah Rosen
Senior director of content partnerships, Reddit
Previously: Senior director and head of North America content partnerships, Twitter
Richard Schaefer
President, Anthem Sports Group (ASG)
Notes: Schaefer, the former chief executive of Golden Boy Promotions, will head up the reorganisation of Anthem Sports & Entertainment’s sports properties, with a new boxing promotion platform in development. Lou D’Angeli also arrives as vice president of marketing.
Dan Hardy
Head of fighter operations, Professional Fighters League (PFL) Europe
Previously: Former mixed martial arts (MMA) fighter Hardy joins the PFL ahead of the organisation’s inaugural international league, which begins on 25th March.
Marcus Reynolds
Chief executive, Forest Green Rovers
Previously: Head of host responsibility, SkyCity Entertainment Group
Departures
Bill Voth
Senior director of content and broadcasting, Carolina Panthers
