Insider Sport’s weekly roundup spotlighting the key moves shaping the business of sport.
Arsenal are set to lay off 60 staff, Aleksander Čeferin will run for a fourth term as UEFA President, a new CFO is at the helm at the Denver Broncos, and the Chief of the 2032 Brisbane Games has stepped down six years before they begin.
Read this week’s Sideline Moves below.
Arsenal job cuts come despite recent success
Arsenal F.C. is set to cut up to 60 jobs after informing staff this week through a call with the club’s Chief Executive, Richard Garlick, according to multiple reports.
The Telegraph reported the layoffs will not affect performance staff of both the men’s and women’s teams, academy teams, instead, only off-the-field roles.
This comes after Arsenal Manager, Mikel Arteta, signed a new contract extension up until 2030 worth a reported £20m-per-year.
Arsenal have reported losses for seven consecutive seasons despite winning its first Premier League title last season in over 20 years. Bonuses to players and performance staff will have also likely been paid out too.
Čeferin commits to fourth UEFA President term
UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin will run for re-election at next year’s UEFA Presidential congress, which would make it an unprecedented fourth term in charge if re-elected.
The election will take place in April 2027 and Čeferin is the likely favourite after turning down the opportunity to run against Gianni Infantino to become FIFA President next year.
“My ambition remains the same: to keep European football united, make our game stronger and leave UEFA ready for the next generation,” said Čeferin at a UEFA meeting in Berlin this week.
Čeferin argued in 2023 that his first term as President should not count as part of the three term, 12-year maximum under the previous statute. He lobbied for the statute change, which was approved by a UEFA council.
Broncos name Sesin as its new CFO
The NFL’s Denver Broncos has named Joseph Sesin as its Chief Financial Officer.
Sesin has 17 years of experience in finance and capital markets having previously worked as the Senior Vice President of Finance & Accounting at National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) team, Angel City Football Club.
During his role at Angel City, he oversaw financial planning, accounting and capital strategy. Sesin partnered with the Angels ownership team to work on key business initiatives, playing a role in the club’s record sale to former Disney CEO Bob Iger and his wife Willow Bay in 2024.
Sesin has also served roles at the SoFi Stadium, YouTube Theatre at Hollywood Park in Los Angeles and began his career at JP Morgan.
2032 Brisbane Games chief leaves after four years in charge
The Chief Executive leading the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic organising committee, Cindy Hook, has announced she will depart at the end of her contract early next year.
Hook was appointed to lead the day-to-day operations of organising the Olympic and Paralympic Games in Brisbane for 2032 in December 2022, signing a four-year deal.
Her departure comes after the organising committee has advanced from its initial planning stage, moving onto constructing venues in preparation for the games in 2032.
“During the past four years, I have achieved everything we had hoped for and had many amazing experiences along the way,” said Hook. “The foundations of success have been well laid. This is the right time to hang over to a new CEO for the next phase.”
Snapshot Moves
- According to spanish reports, Real Madrid are close to announcing Bernd Reichart, the CEO of A22 Sports Management, to lead its business operations
- Wolverhampton Wanderers has appointed Jonathan Gregory as its new Chief Commercial Officer after roles at the Football Association, Adidas and Wembley Stadium.
Submit your people moves to Insider Sport’s Editor, Louis Thompsett, at [email protected] to be featured in the next edition of Sideline Moves.
Catch up on last week’s Sideline Moves, where one of Chelsea’s Sporting Directors left.
