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.
Chris Heck leaves Aston Villa to lead LIV Golf growth
LIV Golf has named Chris Heck as its new President of Business Operations, marking the latest high-profile addition to the league’s leadership team. The appointment was announced on June 5, with Heck set to officially begin the role on June 16.
Reporting to CEO Scott O’Neil, Heck will lead the global execution of LIV’s business operations. Heck brings a track record of commercial growth and brand success across roles with Aston Villa FC, the Philadelphia 76ers, New York Red Bulls and the NBA league office.
“Chris Heck brings a commercial mindset, the proven ability to attract, retain and develop talented executives, and a consistent and proven track record of driving exponential growth to the businesses he leads,” said O’Neil. “These qualities and his approach will continue to move us closer to the extraordinary vision of His Excellency Yasir Al-Rumayyan.”
“I am deeply honoured to join LIV Golf during this important moment for the league, and to support a global leader in golf devoted to expanding the game’s reach to new communities across the world through the leadership of His Excellency Yasir Al-Rumayyan,” added Heck.
Heck departs Aston Villa at the end of the 2024/25 season, following a two-year stint in which he helped double the club’s commercial revenue and contributed to a significant rise in valuation. His planned exit was first revealed in April.
On June 2, Aston Villa confirmed Juventus executive Francesco Calvo will replace Heck starting July 2025. Calvo has previously held senior roles at FC Barcelona and AS Roma.
Nassef Sawiris, Executive Chairman of Aston Villa, said: “Our ambition is for Aston Villa to be competing at the very top level in everything we do, both on and off the pitch. Francesco’s skills, relationships and experience will prove invaluable in making that ambition a reality.”
SailGP adds star power with Jackman & Reynolds co-ownership
Australia’s SailGP team has been rebranded as the BONDS Flying Roos, with actors Hugh Jackman and Ryan Reynolds confirmed as new Co-Owners alongside Olympic gold medallist Tom Slingsby.
The update was announced on June 5 and marks a major shift for the three-time champions as the team look to expand fan engagement and brand appeal heading into the 2025 season.
“We’re incredibly excited to set sail together in this new adventure. Hugh brings a deep love for and pride in his home country, as well as being an avid fan of sailing. He will also be bringing his overly clingy emotional support human along for the ride. Apologies in advance to Australia. No comment on whether we’re writing this in our BONDS. No further questions,” said Jackman and Reynolds in a joint statement.
Slingsby, who also serves as team driver and CEO, added: “This is an incredible milestone for us and for our sport, having global icons Hugh Jackman and Ryan Reynolds come on board as co-owners of our team. They bring unmatched star power, a love for storytelling, and a sharp sense of humour that fits perfectly with our team.”
This deal adds to Reynolds’ growing sporting footprint, including his Co-Ownership of Wrexham AFC. It also follows last month’s announcement of actress Anne Hathaway joining the Red Bull Italy SailGP ownership group.
McMahon offloads $250m in TKO shares to Endeavor
Vince McMahon has sold 1.579 million shares in TKO Group Holdings to Endeavor Group, the parent company of both UFC and WWE, in a private deal worth approximately $250m.
The transaction was announced on June 5 in an SEC filing and officially closed a day earlier on June 4. The per-share price was listed as $158.32. Endeavor now owns 61.7% of TKO’s outstanding stock, further strengthening its control of the company formed through the 2023 merger of WWE and UFC.
McMahon, the former WWE CEO, stepped away from the TKO board in January 2024 following a civil lawsuit containing allegations of sexual assault and sex trafficking by a former WWE employee. He has denied the allegations.
As of April 2025, McMahon still held roughly 8 million shares in TKO, giving him a 9.8% economic stake and 4.1% voting power, according to the company’s most recent 10-K. The latest deal brings McMahon’s total stock sales in TKO to over $2bn, including previous transactions worth more than $300m in April 2024.
Endeavor, which was taken private earlier this year in a $25bn buyout by Silver Lake, now also owns WME Group and other assets under its umbrella.
Inquiry opens Into David Kogan’s football regulator role
An official inquiry has been launched into the government’s appointment of David Kogan as chair of English football’s new independent regulator amid concerns over political impartiality.
The Commissioner for Public Appointments, William Shawcross, confirmed a formal review of Kogan’s selection by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS). This follows a preliminary assessment raising questions about adherence to the Governance Code on Public Appointments.
Shawcross plans to interview Kogan and Secretary of State Lisa Nandy, who initially endorsed Kogan despite his absence from the original shortlist.
Kogan, a former BBC and sports media executive known for negotiating Premier League broadcast rights, disclosed donations to Nandy’s 2020 Labour leadership campaign and to Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
While the Culture, Media and Sport Committee endorsed Kogan’s nomination, it warned his political contributions could cast doubt on his impartiality in a role demanding strict neutrality.
The Football Governance Bill, currently progressing through Parliament, will create the regulator tasked with overseeing club governance and finances across English men’s top divisions.
We’re spotlighting the movers and shakers shaping the sports 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 learn about the former Manchester United exec who joined Stockport County, click HERE to read!
