DFL Deutsche Fussball Liga, organiser of Germany’s Bundesliga and Bundesliga 2 football competitions, will have a new chief executive from January 1 2022.
Donata Hopfen will take on the role and is currently managing director and a partner at BCG Digital Ventures, which is part of the Boston Consulting Group. By becoming chief executive of DFL, the 45-year-old will also take on the role of speaker of the executive committee, replacing Christian Seifert.
“I would like to express my thanks for the confidence place in me,” said Hopfen. “German professional football has a great tradition and is deeply embedded in society. Bundesliga and Bundesliga 2 enjoy an excellent reputation worldwide, as does the DFL.
“This must be maintained against the backdrop of technological, societal and media changes relating to football – while at the same time moving forward in an innovative way. I am already looking forward to tackling current and future challenges, together with the clubs and the DFL team.”
Kate Beavan, director of hospitality and experiences for Formula 1, will step down from the end of August 2021. Beavan joined F1 in 2003 and when Liberty Media acquired the sport in 2017, was made the director of the hospitality division. Her role will not be filled as the responsibilities are being merged with another directorate within the sport.
Stefano Domenicali, president and chief executive, said: “I want to thank Kate for her commitment to Formula 1 over many years and most recently at the helm of our hospitality team these past four years.”
Elsewhere and Minnesota United FC has announced the Major League Soccer club will welcome Shari Ballard as its new chief executive officer at the end of the current season.
Ballard has over 25 years of experience across business, with her entire professional career having been spent with Best Buy. Prior to her retirement from the business, Ballard was most recently the president of Multichannel Retail for Best Buy.
Bill McGuire, MNUFC managing partner, said: “Shari is an extraordinary individual whose personal character, commitment to people and our community, passion for sports, and exceptional experience leading and working with others to grow and strengthen a locally-based, international company and brand is without reproach.”
Eventbrite has made two recent leadership additions, with Gina Stikes coming in as the company’s first chief communications officer and Phil Silverstone being made the chief customer officer, also a new position.
Stikes’s will oversee Eventbrite’s global communications team and said: “I’m incredibly excited to join the Eventbrite team during this transformational period as we reimagine the events industry.”
Marcelo Frazao is now the marketing director of WTorre Entertainment, and arm of WTorre Group, which takes care of projects including the management of Allianz Parque. Frazao will be responsible for the stadium, which is home to Sociedad Esportiva Palmeira in the Brazilian Serie A.
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