Featured image credit: Legends/Rob Paddon
Premium experiences company Legends has announced that Chad Estis has taken on a new role as executive vice-president and chief revenue officer, while Bill Rhoda has been named executive vice-president of business development for the combined Legends and ASM Global company.
Estis (pictured centre) will also retain his responsibilities as an executive with the NFL’s Dallas Cowboys and will now lead Legends’ sales, partnerships and college divisions, its research arm, CSL International, and business development.
Rhoda (pictured left) will focus on growing Legends’ partner portfolio across the company’s end-to-end service solution, which includes all areas of venue operation and revenue generation. Estis has been with Legends since the company’s inception, while Rhoda joined in 2011.
Rob Paddon has been appointed as the new commercial director at Hampshire Cricket.
Paddon (pictured right), who currently serves as head of sales at Ascot Racecourse, will join Hampshire at the end of March. He has previously spent time at Premier League football clubs Fulham, Arsenal and Southampton, and England’s Rugby Football Union.
Paddon will join Hampshire on the back of the club’s takeover by GMR Global Pte Ltd, the co-owner of Indian Premier League franchise Delhi Capitals. The deal will lead to enhancement of the Utilita Bowl stadium.
Chris Irwin has been appointed as the new chief executive of Salford Red Devils following the Super League club’s takeover by a consortium led by businessman Dario Berta.
Irwin formerly served as the Red Devils’ chief commercial officer and most recently held the same role with League One football club Exeter City.
Berta is chief executive of investment bank Matanel. His consortium has completed a full 100% purchase of the club, which has been approved by the Community Benefit Society.
Australian Football League team Carlton has announced the appointment of Robert Priestley as its new president.
Priestley’s elevation to the role follows his tenure as co-vice president alongside Patty Kinnersly since 2022. Priestley has nearly 40 years of experience in the financial services industry and currently serves as chairman of JP Morgan Australia and New Zealand.
Russell Smith has been appointed as the new chief executive of the Glasgow Clan ice hockey team and Braehead Arena.
Smith most recently led and launched The R&A’s first golf and family entertainment venue, Golf It!, and has also spent time at Doncaster Racecourse and Exhibition Centre, Newcastle Racecourse, Hibernian and the Scottish Rugby Union.
Do you have news of an appointment that we should know about? Get in touch by emailing news.editor@thestadiumbusiness.com and we’ll include it in our next round-up.
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