Nordic Entertainment (Nent) Group, the Sweden-headquartered media company, has named Marco Zwaneveld as head of sports for its Viaplay subscription streaming service in the Netherlands.
Zwaneveld joins Nent after 15 years at Dutch commercial broadcaster RTL, where he most recently served as content and channel coordinator. His previous experience also includes stints as a producer at both Holland Media House and Blue Circle.
In his new role, Nent said Zwaneveld will be responsible for all local sports operations in the Netherlands.
Zwaneveld’s appointment comes with Viaplay scheduled to launch in the Netherlands in 2022. Nent has already secured a range of sports rights ahead of the service going live, including the Formula One motorsport series, the Premier League and Bundesliga top-flight soccer divisions, and PDC darts.
Elsewhere, the Excel Sports Management agency has brought in Rick Shapiro as a senior advisor to its baseball division for contract negotiations and salary arbitration during the upcoming offseason. The agency also announced the hiring of National Basketball Association (NBA) agent Michael Tellem to lead its international basketball recruiting efforts, in addition to representing US-based players.
In Germany, Daniel von Busse, the former chief operating officer at Sport1, will succeed the retiring Michael Amsinck in heading up the management of the sports rights department at public service broadcaster ZDF.
Meanwhile, USA Nordic has appointed Casey Mills as partnership marketing director and Riley Elliott as communications manager.
Appointments
Luis Vicente
Chairman, Apex Capital
Previously: Chief executive, Eleven Sports
Ben Johnson
Senior vice president, strategy and commercial development, SailGP
Previously: Senior vice president, head of international, Drone Racing League (DRL)
Damian Willoughby
Vice president, partnerships, Electronic Arts
Previously: Chief executive, City Football India, City Football Group (CFG)
Matt McCloskey
Vice president and general manager, North America, Mobile Premier League (MPL)
Previously: Vice president of business and process transformation, Toys “R” Us Canada
Kaiyan Chen
Head of media sales, Asia-Pacific, Premier League
Previously: Vice president, media sales, Football Marketing Asia (FMA)
Alastair Marks
Interim chief executive, British Rowing
Previously: Interim chief executive, British Gymnastics
Notes: Marks will take up the position on a fixed term basis until the end of March 2022.
Jack Rose
Head of strategy and operations, Silver Tribe Media
Previously: Manager, global platform and revenue innovation, DAZN Group
Chris Smith
Head of media and communications, AFC Bournemouth
Previously: Media manager, Lawn Tennis Association (LTA)
Departures
Jordi Bertomeu
President and chief executive, Euroleague Basketball
Notes: Bertomeu will leave at the end of the season on 30th June 2022 after six of the league’s 11 shareholder teams voted to dismiss him. He is expected to be offered a consultant position in the new management, according to Eurohoops.
Kevin Gilmore
President and chief executive, CF Montréal
Notes: Gilmore, who joined the Major League Soccer (MLS) franchise ahead of the 2019 season, has stepped down with immediate effect.
Marco Zwaneveld to lead Viaplay’s sports drive in the Netherlands, plus more