Welcome to Sideline Moves, Insider Sport’s new weekly roundup spotlighting the key moves shaping the business of sport.
Every Friday, we bring you the latest executive appointments, strategic hires, boardroom shifts, and behind-the-scenes deals from across the global sports industry — all in one place.
Andy Murray joins Redrice as investor
Scottish tennis legend Andy Murray has joined venture capital firm Redrice Ventures following the conclusion of his coaching partnership with Novak Djokovic.
Announced on May 18, Murray will lead a new group of athlete investors, the Redrice Sports Collective, which will include prominent athletes and influential figures from the world of sports. His role will involve identifying investment opportunities, particularly within the sports sector.
Murray is no stranger to working with Redrice. In 2018, he invested in Castore, a sportswear brand Redrice is already an investor in . This partnership led to the creation of the Andy Murray Castore (AMC) clothing line.
Like many modern athletes, Murray sees investment as a key component of his post-playing career. In addition to Castore, he has also invested in Game4Padel, a padel tennis company, and Cromlix, a country house hotel in Scotland.
In a LinkedIn post, Tom March, Founder of Redrice Ventures, said: “This partnership also says something about where the world is heading. Athletes today aren’t just athletes. They’re entrepreneurs, cultural leaders, wellness advocates and they’re helping shape how people live, work, and think. Wellness isn’t a side topic anymore; it’s become a cultural filter for how everyday decisions get made. Andy really gets that.”
Gaël Monfils becomes Bitpanda ambassador ahead of Roland Garros
French tennis star Gaël Monfils has become the latest ambassador for Bitpanda, a European crypto exchange, as of May 23.
As part of the partnership, Monfils will wear the Bitpanda logo on his sleeve during all ATP Tour and Grand Slam events. This branding will debut at Roland Garros 2025, where Bitpanda will also receive wider visibility as an ATP Tour partner.
In addition to brand visibility, Monfils will team up with Bitpanda to create exclusive content and offer the company’s users unique experiences. These include meet-and-greets, behind-the-scenes access and signed memorabilia..
Monfils’ decision to join Bitpanda was driven by his personal passion for crypto. According to the company, he began exploring digital assets after a family member introduced him to the space and now actively manages his own crypto portfolio.
“I’ve always been intrigued by technology and innovation,” said Monfils. “Crypto caught my attention early on because it’s dynamic, constantly evolving, and gives people real control over how they invest. Partnering with Bitpanda made sense. It’s a platform built on trust and accessibility, which is exactly the kind of environment I believe people need to invest with confidence.”
FAI appoints Shane Robinson as Interim Technical Director
The Football Association of Ireland (FAI) has appointed former Irish footballer Shane Robinson as its new Interim Technical Director.
Announced on May 20, Robinson assumes the role with immediate effect, stepping in for Marc Canham, who announced his departure as Chief Football Officer in April.
The FAI confirmed the application process for the permanent Chief Football Officer position will open this week. In the meantime, Robinson stated he will “continue the good work that Marc has been doing and ensure that we maintain momentum” in delivering the Football Pathways Plan, a framework focused on nurturing development across Ireland.
“This is an important period in Irish football, across all levels of the game, and we are working hard across the Association with all stakeholders to ensure that we provide the best possible experience for everyone involved,” he said.
Prior to this appointment, Robinson served as Assistant Director of Football at the FAI. Before joining the organisation in summer 2023, he played in the League of Ireland for Shamrock Rovers and Drogheda United. He later became Academy Director at Shamrock Rovers.
“We’re pleased to have Shane step up as Interim Technical Director as we begin the process to recruit a new Chief Football Officer, said David Courell, CEO of the FAI.
“Shane is a valuable member of our Football Leadership Team and will help us to continue our vital work in continuing to develop Irish football.”
Canadian Soccer Business creates new role for James Johnson
Canadian Soccer Business (CSB) has appointed international football executive James Johnson as its new Group Chief Executive Officer.
Announced on May 22, the move comes at a key moment for Canadian soccer as preparations ramp up for the country’s co-hosting of FIFA World Cup 2026. Johnson has significant experience with leadership roles at FIFA, the Asian Football Confederation, City Football Group and most recently, Football Australia.
He will be responsible for driving growth across CSB’s commercial platforms, which include long-term rights agreements with Canada Soccer, ownership of the Canadian Premier League and oversight of League1 Canada.
“James brings a rare combination of global insight, strategic leadership, and a deep passion for developing the sport at every level,” said Scott Mitchell, Chair of CSB’s Board of Directors. “His vision aligns perfectly with CSB’s goal to build a sustainable, progressive, and globally recognised soccer environment for Canada.”
Johnson will also join the board of OneSoccer, leading the organisation’s evolving media strategy.
“I am honored to join CSB and feel a real sense of excitement from the momentum building behind Canadian soccer,” said Johnson. “We will build on CSB’s unique assets to foster a thriving and inclusive soccer community, putting innovation, collaboration and strategic partnerships at the heart of all we do.”
We’re spotlighting the movers and shakers shaping the sport business every Friday.
Submit your people moves to Insider Sport’s Editor, Rachael Kennedy, at [email protected] and be featured in Sideline Moves.
Catch up on last week’s Sideline Moves to find out what happened at Everton last week, click HERE to read!
