Sportico Transactions: Moves and Mergers Roundup for June 6

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Welcome to Sportico’s transactions wire, a weekly rundown of personnel, partnerships, products and purchases across the sports business industry.

PERSONNEL​

USMNT Legend Clint Dempsey Joins Men in Blazers Media Network

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Men in Blazers Media Network has signed Clint Dempsey as a full-time contributor to be voice of US Men’s National Team coverage leading into World Cup 2026. Dempsey will join the network in a multi-year deal as a lead analyst and the leading voice of its U.S. men’s team coverage, hosting a new show, “The Deuce.” Dempsey, a revered figure in American soccer, will bring his insight to MIBMN’s comprehensive coverage, particularly as the sport builds toward the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America. His new show will offer fans a unique perspective on the game, drawing from his experiences as a player at the highest level.

Donna Freislinger Huffman Joins Oak View Group as Senior VP

Donna Freislinger Huffmann has been appointed senior vice-president of global procurement for the Oak View Group. Huffman will lead the transformation of OVG’s procurement practices, driving alignment and establishing best-in-class processes across all categories to ensure cost savings and enhanced commercial viability. Huffman will drive operational excellence, optimize cost efficiency and foster alignment across the OVG enterprise. She will establish and lead the Oak View Group global procurement team, leveraging scale and maximizing the value that vendors can bring to the business. Freislinger’s prior leadership roles at Vanderbilt University, Fresenius, Hillrom, Gategroup and United Airlines demonstrate her ability to lead global teams and modernize procurement processes.

Sports Lawyer Jill Kelley Joins Hogan Levells in New York

Jill Kelley has joined Hogan Levells corporate & finance practice as a partner in the New York office. Kelley joins from the New York Jets, where she was general counsel and vice president of legal affairs. While at the Jets, Kelley served for more than five years as a strategic advisor on legal matters and business strategy, data security and privacy, regulatory compliance and risk management. Prior to the Jets, Kelley was general counsel at PointsBet USA, where she oversaw multinational transactions, including digital payment services, banking, SaaS and technology financing contracts and sports league agreements. She also spent three years as senior legal counsel for Foxwoods Resort Casino.

Playfly Aspire Names Gil Beverly President

Playfly Sports, a sports industry revenue maximization company, has named Gil Beverly as President of Playfly Aspire. This appointment exemplifies Playfly’s increased commitment to providing capital investment to help partner initiatives that unlock new revenue streams and long-term value. The next phase of Playfly Aspire’s growth will see the division further expand its role as both a strategic advisor and a commercial operator for its partners in fan experience and premium hospitality. In doing so, Playfly will lean further into its suite of fan-focused and data-driven services, including whitespace review, feasibility assessment, design, project management, valuation and capital investment to help clients’ projects. Beverly joins Playfly with a strong track record of leadership across top sports, media, and entertainment organizations including the Tennessee Titans, ESPN, Learfield and the Academy of Country Music.

PARTNERSHIPS​

Heineken Partners With Apple’s F1 The Movie

Heineken 0.0 has been named an official partner of Apple Original Films’ F1 The Movie, a collaboration brought to life with a new campaign directed by the movie’s director/producer, Joseph Kosinski, and which features the film’s stars, Brad Pitt and Damson Idris. The campaign will launch ahead of the film’s global release on June 25, from Warner Bros. Pictures. With Heineken 0.0 also featuring directly in the film, the partnership marks the brand’s natural place in the world of Formula 1, having been a sponsor since 2016. The campaign from Heineken 0.0 will see the release of a spot featuring Brad Pitt and Damson Idris, created to challenge outdated assumptions around alcohol and socializing. In the lead-up to the film’s release, fans can expect exclusive content and behind-the-scenes access via Heineken channels, bringing them closer not just to F1 The Movie, but to the wider cultural conversation about moderation, inclusion and changing social norms.

ECHL Enters Into Strategic Partnership With Sports Business Advisors

The ECHL and Sports Business Advisors have entered a strategic partnership with a focus on driving the league’s revenue generation, enhancing branding and league awareness, as well as creating avenues of new inventory in pursuit of innovative corporate sponsorship opportunities. SBA will also support ECHL crown jewel events including the All-Star Game and Kelly Cup Playoffs. ECHL teams will have the opportunity to utilize the services of SBA.

Gray Media Bolsters Partnership With New Orleans Saints

Gray Media, WVUE (New Orleans, Fox 8) and the New Orleans Saints have entered into a five-year extension to their long-standing broadcast partnership through the conclusion of the 2029 NFL season. The extension kicks off with all three 2025 preseason games starting August 10, when the Saints travel to Los Angeles to take on the Chargers. As the Official Television Broadcast Partner of the New Orleans Saints, the preseason games will all air on Gray’s 15-station Saints preseason network, including locally on WVUE Fox 8. In addition, Gray Media’s Gulf Coast Sports and Entertainment Network (GCSEN) will rebroadcast each preseason game the following day.

MotoGP Enters Into Multiyear Two Circles Partnership

MotoGP has entered into a multiyear strategic partnership with Two Circles, a sports marketing and fan growth agency, as part of a significant investment to grow its global fan base, with a specific focus on the US and UK markets. Two Circles will work across MotoGP’s global digital ecosystem to deliver a social content strategy with a focus to deliver growth in key markets. This work will form part of a new, integrated global social media approach, designed to fuel deeper fan connections. The partnership reflects MotoGP’s wider investment into the sport’s global brand and digital presence, with a focus on youth engagement and long-term commercial growth.

Fubo, DAZN Strike Multiyear Integrated Partnership

FuboTV Inc. and DAZN have entered into a multiyear partnership in which both sports streaming companies will distribute their owned-and-operated linear channels, which include exclusive sports rights, on each other’s U.S. platforms. Their integrated partnership will include additional collaborations in the future. Fubo will become the home to DAZN’s exclusive boxing and MMA events through the launch of a new linear channel, DAZN1, featuring DAZN’s premium live fights and on-demand content. DAZN is launching Fubo Sports, Fubo’s free ad-supported streaming TV (FAST) channel featuring 400 live sporting events annually as well as sports documentaries and movies. Additionally, the partnership enables Fubo to offer its customers DAZN’s live Pay-Per-View events.

Diana Taurasi Partners With U.S. Sports Camps at Snow Valley Basketball School

Former WNBA great Diana Taurasi is partnering with US Sports Camp to stage the All-Girls Snow Valley Basketball School this July at Westmont College in Santa Barbara, Calif. This partnership brings together one of the most iconic figures in basketball history with a respected development camps for girls. Snow Valley Basketball School, the longest-running basketball program of its kind, is renowned for its team of highly skilled and certified USA Basketball coaches.. With a carefully structured curriculum, the program blends individual skill development with team concepts, including daily drills, competitive games and player evaluations.

Mike Vrabel Tabs Magellan Jets as Private Aviation Partner

Magellan Jets has been selected by Mike Vrabel, head coach of the New England Patriots, as his preferred private aviation provider ahead of the 2025 NFL season. The company is expanding its partnership with Vrabel, unveiling a collaboration that offers exclusive opportunities for its clients, including meet-and-greets and coaching clinics. The partnership with Vrabel builds upon the company’s growing involvement in the sports world, including its partnership with the Boston Red Sox and strong presence in professional golf. Magellan Jets was selected as the “Official Private Aviation Provider” of 4Aces Golf Club, captained by two-time major champion Dustin Johnson. The company also named golf instructor Claude Harmon III and PGA Tour player Will Zalatoris as Magellan Jets’ golf ambassadors.

Amazon to Become Official Retail Partner of U.S. SailGP Team

Amazon has been named an official sponsor and retail partner of the United States SailGP team. SailGP fans will be able to shop a curated assortment of fashion and accessory items, including exclusive designs with Amazon Merch on Demand, in the team’s official U.S. SailGP storefront on Amazon.com. Customers can choose from a wide assortment of products—all available with Prime delivery. The U.S. SailGP team will continue its 2025 campaign at the upcoming Mubadala New York Sail Grand Prix on June 7-8, 2025, where fans will see Amazon’s logo on the U.S. SailGP Team’s jib sail.

Just Women’s Sports Partners With Microsoft, Lisa Leslie on WNBA Coverage

Just Women’s Sports (JWS) has partnered with Microsoft Copilot to launch Between the Lines with Lisa Leslie, a new video series hosted by the Hall of Famer that premieres today with its first guest, Chiney Ogwumike. JWS is also debuting JWS Playmakers, a creator-driven studio focused on developing new voices in women’s sports media—from digital creators and analysts to superfans. They will also integrate AI-powered tools into its content creation, enhancing how fans engage with women’s sports.

Savannah Bananas Partner With CW Network for Broadcast TV Debut

The Savannah Bananas will make their broadcast television debut on The CW Network on Sunday, July 27, at Philadelphia’s Citizens Bank Park in front of a sold-out crowd of more than 40,000 fans. The Savannah Bananas have become known for their choreographed dances, epic scoring celebrations, flaming bats and an array of other antics. The team has sold out every game at its home field, historic Grayson Stadium in Savannah, Ga., since their 2016 inaugural season. The team has more than 9.8 million followers on TikTok, outnumbering every MLB franchise, as well as every team in the NFL, NBA and NHL. The Bananas have been featured on ESPN, CNN and CBS News, and in Sports Illustrated.

PGMOL Partners With PUMA as Official Kit Partner

Professional Game Match Officials (PGMOL) have announced new multi-year partnership with global sports company PUMA. The multi-year agreement will see PUMA become the official kit partner of PGMOL and supply apparel to match officials in both the men’s and women’s professional game pathways. Officials operating in the Premier League, EFL, National League and WSL Football competitions will all don the new match and training kit from the start of the 2025/26 season.

Genius Sports Announces Partnership With iSpot

Genius Sports—the data, technology and broadcast partner that powers the global ecosystem connecting sports, betting and media—announced a strategic partnership with TV measurement company, iSpot. The partnership will provide Genius Sports with iSpot’s Outcomes and Unified Measurement solutions, which verifies and measures video advertising across the vast array of content types, such as linear TV and streaming platform apps and services. Specifically, Genius Sports will integrate iSpot’s Unified and Outcomes measurement solutions and data insights into omnichannel platform FANHub, built to reach sports fans by expanding access to premium, brand-safe advertising inventory across the web, mobile and streaming TV.

GSE to Work on Talent Procurement for Dick’s Sporting Goods

Five months after launching its brand consulting, talent procurement and experiential marketing practice, GSE will serve as the talent procurement agency of record for Dick’s Sporting Goods. GSE will also provide brand consulting and experiential support across multiple departments. The GSE team is led by Eric Liebler, who has 25-plus years of experience in sports and entertainment marketing working with brands and talent.

PRODUCTS​

SailGP Enters Sports Betting Marketplace Ahead of Mubadala NY Grand Prix

SailGP has entered the sports betting marketplace globally ahead of this weekend’s Mubadala New York Sail Grand Prix (June 7-8). Betting will be available across a range of operators, including DraftKings in the U.S. and Bet 365 in internationally available territories. SailGP is collaborating with sportsbooks globally to access betting markets for the Rolex SailGP Championship, providing an opportunity to grow the league’s fanbase and increase fan engagement. The global racing championship is working with several data providers and global bookmakers to take its data feed and publish odds to the market. SailGP has a strategic integration with Abelson Sports, ensuring comprehensive and accurate odds coverage, and has developed an in-house, self-service odds portal, empowering betting operators with real-time access and control.

Tom Brady’s GOAT Gummies Launch Exclusively on Gopuff

GOAT Gummies—the organic, vegan gummy snacks developed by seven-time NFL champion, entrepreneur and philanthropist Tom Brady and Instant Commerce leader Gopuff—are now available on Gopuff. GOAT Gummies contain no artificial sweeteners, dyes or flavors, and are made of real fruit. To celebrate the launch of GOAT Gummies, Gopuff is rolling out a marketing campaign spanning in-person activations, influencer partnerships and video content. This latest collaboration is part of an ongoing, multi-year partnership between Gopuff and Brady. Through the partnership, Brady, who is also an investor in Gopuff, will work with the company on product development, content creation, community support initiatives and fan experiences as Gopuff looks to build brand awareness and deliver unique customer experiences.

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