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.
Tether gains Juventus board seat as club elevates Damien Comolli to CEO
Juventus has entered a new phase of leadership and investment influence, with cryptocurrency firm Tether securing its first seat on the club’s board, while Damien Comolli has been promoted to CEO.
Tether CEO Paolo Ardoino announced Francesco Garino will represent the stablecoin issuer on Juventus’s board, following the company’s acquisition of a minority stake earlier this year.
Tether has just received its first seat on the Juventus Board of Directors… Francesco Garino confirmed!” Ardoino posted on X. “Thanks to all minority shareholders for supporting our request to be involved. The first necessary step toward MJGA!”
The development comes as Juventus’s board approved a series of appointments, including the elevation of Comolli to CEO. He joined the club in 2025 as general manager and steps into the top role six months later, tasked with steering Juventus through a period of restructuring.
His experience spans senior positions at Arsenal, Tottenham, Liverpool, Saint-Étienne, Fenerbahçe and, most recently, Toulouse, where he oversaw the club’s return to Ligue 1.
While Tether secures greater influence, the Agnelli family remains firmly in control through Exor, which holds 65% of the club. Ardoino acknowledged Juventus’s ownership is not expected to change.
LeBron James and Kevin Durant back MADE Hoops
LeBron James and Kevin Durant are among investors supporting an expansion of MADE Hoops, the youth basketball organisation set to launch a new foundation and a multimillion-dollar development centre in New York City.
The investment round was led by SC Holdings and LRMR Ventures, the family office of James and Maverick Carter. Additional backing came from Kevin Durant and Rich Kleiman’s Boardroom Sports Holdings, as well as NBA All-Star Paolo Banchero.
Founded in 2014 by Chad Babel, the platform has grown into one of the most influential hubs in grassroots basketball, running more than 125 annual events and serving over 100,000 athletes.
“This investment allows us to take everything we’ve built — the events, the platform, and the brand — and elevate it to new heights, which will benefit the most important part of our ecosystem: the player community,” Babel said.
The funding will support MADE for All, a newly launched non-profit focused on access and opportunity, and the company’s first player development centre, set to open in early 2026.
MLS deputy commissioner to retire after 2026 World Cup
Gary Stevenson will step down as Major League Soccer’s (MLS) deputy commissioner next summer, ending a 12-year tenure.
As reported by The Athletic, Stevenson informed commissioner Don Garber of his plans earlier this year and will continue to oversee business strategy and World Cup-related work through 2026 before taking on an advisory role.
He joined MLS in 2013 after leading Pac-12 Enterprises and later served as president of Soccer United Marketing, contributing to league expansion, deeper ties with Liga MX and a series of major commercial agreements, including the long-term deal with Apple.
His retirement comes as MLS approaches a defining moment. The league has positioned the 2026 men’s World Cup as a springboard for its next phase, which Garber has termed “MLS 3.0”.
It also arrives amid growing competition from the United Soccer League (USL). The USL recently added former Carlyle Group CEO Kewsong Lee as vice chair after his firm, BellTower Partners, acquired a minority stake.
The organisation plans to launch a Division One men’s league with promotion and relegation by 2028.
Cadillac F1 team hires Ahmed Iqbal as first chief marketing officer
Cadillac’s new Formula 1 team has appointed Ahmed Iqbal as its first chief marketing officer as preparations continue ahead of the manufacturer’s planned 2026 debut.
As part of the role, Iqbal will oversee global marketing, brand strategy and fan engagement as the team builds its identity ahead of joining the FIA Formula 1 World Championship.
He arrives with more than a decade of experience across major technology and automotive platforms, where he has worked on projects designed to modernise how brands connect with consumers.
The Cadillac entry received its final FIA approval in March 2025. The move comes during a period of expansion for F1 manufacturers, with Audi also preparing to enter the championship in 2026 through its acquisition of Sauber.
In a statement on the team’s LinkedIn profile, Tyler Epp, Global Head of Commercial Strategy for the Cadillac Formula 1 Team, said Iqbal would play a central role in shaping how the new outfit presents itself globally.
“As we build this team’s identity, his leadership will be key to shaping how fans experience Cadillac Formula 1 Team — bringing the excitement of Formula 1 and the spirit of American racing together in a way that’s never been done before,” Epp said.
USA Gymnastics looks to MLS exec Kyle Albrecht as new CEO
Kyle Albrecht has been appointed the next President and CEO of USA Gymnastics, officially taking over on January 1 2026.
Albrecht joins from MLS, where he has held several leadership roles since 2019. He was named VP of MLS GO in 2023, overseeing the launch of the league’s nationwide grassroots participation platform and later became General Manager of MLS NEXT, directing the country’s top youth development system.
His background also includes nine years at Under Armour, where he helped launch the brand’s soccer category and led European sports marketing.
USA Gymnastics board chair Kathryn Carson said Albrecht brings the mix of experience needed for the next phase of the organisation’s rebuild.
“He has the leadership experience essential to continue USA Gymnastics’ growth, and his fresh perspective will provide new opportunities and leadership as we look to the LA 2028 Olympic Games as a catalyst for the sport of gymnastics and its athletes,” she said.
Albrecht will be responsible for executing the federation’s 2028 strategic plan, which focuses on athlete performance, participation growth and operational improvement.
Snapshot Moves
Liverpool’s Cody Gakpo has been named Bentley Motors’ ambassador for the UK and Europe
Robert Lewandowski has been named global brand ambassador for KSM-66 Ashwagandha, representing the supplement worldwide across all markets.
Former GB triathlete Non Stanford has been elected Chair of World Triathlon’s Athletes’ Committee, bringing her experience as a World Champion and coach to the global stage.
Conleth Byrne has joined RPM Gaming as Strategic Partnerships Director, applying two decades of iGaming and technology leadership to the company’s growth initiatives.
Ciaran Lacey has been appointed Chief Technology Officer at Xtremepush, overseeing the company’s technical strategy.
We’re spotlighting the movers and shakers shaping the sports business every Friday.
Submit your people moves to Insider Sport’s journalist Kieran O’Connor, at [email protected] and be featured in Sideline Moves.
Catch up on last week’s Sideline Moves to read about Newcastle United’s leadership changes, click HERE to read!
