Welcome to Sideline Moves, Insider Sport’s 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.
Aston Villa Women appoint Maggie Murphy as Managing Director
Aston Villa Football Club Women have named Maggie Murphy as Managing Director, marking a pivotal moment in the club’s evolution following its restructuring as an independent entity under V Sports ownership.
Murphy, one of the most influential voices in women’s football, previously served as CEO of Lewes Football Club and has held board-level positions at both the FA Women’s Super League and the Women’s Championship. She joins with more than 15 years’ international experience in football governance and was named among BBC Woman’s Hour’s 30 Most Influential Women in Sport in 2023.
Set to begin in October, Murphy will lead off-pitch strategy and investment, aiming to align fan engagement and commercial development with Villa’s growing on-pitch ambitions.
“Our ambition is clear: to unlock Aston Villa Women’s full potential,” she said, pledging to create deeper community and partner ties.
Executive Chairman Bashir L. said Murphy’s appointment is central to AVWFC’s goal of consistently challenging the WSL’s top four and achieving regular European qualification.
Vanja Černivec named General Manager of Portland Fire
The reignited Portland Fire franchise has Vanja Cernivec as its new General Manager, tasking her with building the WNBA expansion team from the ground up ahead of its 2026 debut.
Černivec joins from the Golden State Valkyries , where she played a central role in shaping the team’s inaugural basketball operations. Her previous leadership roles include GM of the BC London Lions women’s team — where she helped deliver a FIBA EuroCup title and back-to-back WBBL championships — as well as stints with the NBA’s Basketball Without Borders and a groundbreaking role as the Chicago Bulls’ first female international scout.
“I want this team to reflect [Portland’s] energy in this new era — rooted in legacy, fueled by passion, and driven by a relentless pursuit of excellence,” Černivec said.
Portland Fire co-owner Lisa Bhathal Merage called Černivec “a visionary” and “a foundational leader in this new chapter.”
Her appointment follows the Fire’s name and brand reveal in July, which has already driven over 13,000 season ticket deposits.
Florida Panthers CEO Matt Caldwell departs for Timberwolves and Lynx top job
Matthew Caldwell is stepping down as President and CEO of the Florida Panthers to take up the same role with the NBA’s Minnesota Timberwolves and WNBA’s Minnesota Lynx .
Caldwell joined the Panthers in 2014 and is credited with overseeing a dramatic turnaround at the franchise, including major commercial wins, operational growth, and securing the club’s long-term presence in Broward County.
Panthers owner Vincent Viola praised Caldwell’s “culture of excellence” and called the move “tremendously bittersweet.” Caldwell said the nine-year tenure had been the “highlight of my professional career” but expressed excitement to join Alex Rodriguez and Marc Lore’s Timberwolves project.
Panthers Alternate Governor Michael Viola will lead the search for Caldwell’s successor.
Orioles name Rosina Lanson as Chief Strategy Officer
The Baltimore Orioles have appointed former Major League Baseball (MLB) and Meta executive Rosina Lanson as their new Chief Strategy Officer, marking the latest move in the club’s off-field revamp under new ownership.
In this newly created role, Lanson will lead corporate strategy, data and analytics, and business technology across both the Orioles and their MASN TV network.
She previously launched MLB’s club business operations and strategy advisory function and spent three years at Meta driving global sports strategy across Facebook and Instagram. Earlier, she held senior roles with the New York Jets, leading loyalty programmes and international business operations.
Catie Griggs , Orioles President of Business Operations, praised Lanson’s “key insight and guidance,” while Lanson said she was excited to contribute her cross-industry experience “to something so meaningful to Baltimore.”
The appointment is part of a broader shake-up since David Rubenstein’s ownership group took over in 2024, with Griggs hiring several new executives to help steer the club through stadium renovations and declining fan sentiment.
Table Tennis England bolsters board with two new Non-Executive Directors
Table Tennis England has strengthened its governance with the appointment of Leanne O’Leary and Paul Bishop to its Board.
O’Leary, a dual-qualified solicitor and assistant professor in sports law, brings expertise in arbitration and mediation, having served on panels for Sport Resolutions, the Premier League Judicial Panel, and the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
Bishop, a chartered accountant, was previously co-opted onto the board and now joins formally. He is also senior independent director at NHBC and holds non-executive roles at Zurich Assurance and AXAXL UK.
Chair Clare Briegal said both appointments would bring “essential skills and experience” as the organisation moves into an exciting phase.
Atlanta Hawks promote Kyle Brunson, hire Shawn Thornton to bolster revenue leadership
The Atlanta Hawks and State Farm Arena have reshuffled their business leadership team, promoting Kyle Brunson to EVP & Chief Ticketing Officer and appointing Shawn Thornton as SVP & Chief Partnership Officer.
Brunson, a Hawks lifer who joined in 1998, will now lead ticketing strategy across Hawks games and marquee State Farm Arena events including the 2026 World Cup and Summer Kickoff ATL. Under his leadership, the Hawks introduced flexible membership models like Stack Packs and saw sustained ticketing growth.
“I’m humbled and grateful… to continue growing with a team that values innovation, inclusivity, and a shared commitment to winning,” said Brunson.
Thornton joins after an eight-year stint as CRO of the Florida Panthers , where he helped close $150M+ in long-term deals including naming rights and sports betting partnerships. A two-time Stanley Cup winner as a player and executive, Thornton brings a reputation for community leadership and commercial innovation. “
The city of Atlanta… is poised for incredible growth… and I’m beyond excited to be joining the tremendous executive team,” he said.
Snapshot Moves
- Marcus Keane has been named the new chief operating officer (COO) of the global player representative organisation FIFPRO.
- Agency Elevate Sports has hired Celine Mangan as Vice President, Business Development.
- Tim Bogar has been named third-base coach of the Arizona Diamondbacks.
- India’s JSW Sports Pvt Ltd elevated Divyanshu Singh to CEO (succeeding Mustafa Ghouse, who remains a director).
- Fanatics hired Jeremi Gorman as Chief Revenue Officer of its new advertising division.
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 which NBA superstar was recruited by Google, click HERE to read!
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