Moves and Mergers Roundup for Oct. 3, 2025

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

PERSONNEL

Bryan Castellani Joins Genius Sports as Chief Financial Officer

Genius Sports (NYSE:GENI) has hired Bryan Castellani as chief financial officer, effective immediately. Castellani will be based in the company’s New York office and will report to co-founder and CEO Mark Locke. Castellani will lead the company’s finance function, overseeing its global financial operations as the company transitions to the U.S. He will also support strategic transactions, including partnerships and M&A, as Genius Sports scales its technology and rights portfolio. Nick Taylor, the outgoing CFO, will remain with Genius Sports during the transition. Castellani previously held senior roles at ESPN and The Walt Disney Company, and most recently as executive vice president and CFO at Warner Music Group.

Chiefs Name Tyler Kirby as the Club’s First Chief Revenue Officer

The Kansas City Chiefs announced that Tyler Kirby has been promoted to chief revenue officer and executive vice president. Kirby is in his 18th season with the franchise, most recently serving four years as the club’s EVP of business development where he oversaw all aspects of the team’s ticketing, premium, and hospitality sales efforts, client services and performance marketing. As the club’s first CRO, Kirby will continue his leadership of the club’s business development efforts and add oversight of the existing staff that leads new business, renewals, activation and service for corporate partnerships, as well as local broadcast partner rights

Oak View Group Appoints Amy Latimer as First Chief Business Officer

Oak View Group (OVG) announced the appointment of Amy Latimer as chief business officer of Oak View Group. Latimer will oversee the full suite of offerings that OVG employs at its own venues and offers to partners at venues throughout the world, including management, hospitality, security, parking, sustainability consulting and premium experiences. Latimer most recently acted as the executive vice president and chief operating officer at Delaware North.

BKB Bare Knuckle Boxing Announces Addition of Golden Boy Alums

As BKB Bare Knuckle Boxing continues to grow and revolutionize combat sports, CEO David Tetreault announced the hiring of George Gallegos as chief business officer and head of legal and Tony Rodriguez as creative director, and the elevation of Adrian Man from UK Social Media Lead to director of social media. The hirings coincide with the launch of BKB’s full-scale media and entertainment division under CMO Don Povia, to produce premium fight documentaries, behind-the-scenes reality series and a new social first strategy.

Vivenu Appoints Industry Advisor for Sports and Entertainment

Vivenu, the enterprise platform for live entertainment technology, has appointed Nick Sakiewicz as industry advisor for sports and entertainment. Sakiewicz brings three decades of leadership across major leagues and venues and will advise Vivenu on strategy, partnerships and product direction for its sports and entertainment verticals. Sakiewicz was a founding executive at MLS in 1995, served as president and GM of two inaugural MLS teams and later became an operating partner and investor in the Philadelphia Union. He also served as commissioner of the National Lacrosse League.

PARTNERSHIPS

Paze, Atlanta Hawks Announce Multiyear Jersey Patch Partnership

The Atlanta Hawks and Early Warning Services have announced a multiyear partnership in which Paze, an online tokenized checkout service developed by Early Warning Services and offered by participating banks and credit unions, will become the Official Jersey Patch Partner of the Hawks. In addition to having their signature Paze branding on all official Hawks jerseys, Paze will serve as the Official Online Checkout Partner and Digital Wallet of the Hawks and State Farm Arena.

Las Vegas Raiders Name Victory Live Official Data and Analytics Partner

Victory Live, a ticketing technology and analytics company for live events, announced a multiyear partnership with the Las Vegas Raiders, designating Victory Live as an Official Data and Analytics Partner of the team. Through the partnership, Victory Live will provide analytics to the Raiders’ business intelligence operations, support technology-driven decision-making and inform strategic planning. Assets include LED signage inside Allegiant Stadium, digital integrations across Raiders media channels, rotating exposure on the I-15 highway marquee and broadcast placements during Raiders television programming.

Capitals, BMW of North America Announce Multiyear Partnership

The Washington Capitals and BMW of North America announced a multiyear partnership. Beginning with the 2025-26 season, BMW will serve as the presenting partner of the Capitals Mites on Ice program and of the organization’s annual Alumni Weekend, as well as a partner surrounding Monumental Sports & Entertainment Foundation’s Caps Fore Charity event. Through Mites on Ice, BMW of North America will join the Capitals in backing youth hockey players who will play in front of fans at Capital One Arena during intermissions at home games.

Sacramento Kings, Phoong Law Announce Partnership 

The Sacramento Kings and Phoong Law announced a new jersey patch partnership for the 2025-26 NBA season. They say their “Purple Promise” represents a “shared commitment to advancing gender equity and community impact through mentorship, collaboration and storytelling.” Beginning opening night, the Phoong Law logo will appear on the left front strap of Kings player jerseys.

Denver Summit FC, Legends Global Announce Partnership Sales Agreement

Denver Summit FC and Legends Global announced that the company will handle global partnership sales for the club to drive long-term, sustainable growth. Legends Global will leverage its experience in creating partnerships for some of the world’s top soccer clubs and sports teams to find partners that match Denver Summit FC’s vision. As part of the agreement, Legends Global will manage all club partnerships, including naming rights for the planned temporary and permanent stadiums and the performance center; founding partnerships; and kit assets.

Shoot 360 Partners with US Sports Camps

Shoot 360 has announced a new partnership with US Sports Camps, the nation’s largest sports camp network and licensed provider of Nike Sports Camps. Together, they are launching Nike Basketball Camps with Shoot 360 at select locations nationwide, beginning in October, with additional expansion planned throughout 2026.

PRODUCTS

Pacquiao Launches ‘Manny Pacquiao Promotions’ in United States

Boxing icon and eight-division world champion Manny Pacquiao has officially announced the U.S. launch of his new boxing promotional company, Manny Pacquiao Promotions (MPP)—a new venture aimed at reshaping the future of the sport he helped define. Sean Gibbons, Pacquiao’s longtime adviser, will serve as president of Manny Pacquiao Promotions.

Ripken Baseball Launches 12U National Championship With Unrivaled Sports

For the first time in its history, Ripken Baseball will crown a national champion. The company announced the launch of Ripken Nationals, a 12U national championship tournament set to debut in 2026. Regional qualifiers will begin in March across the country, culminating with the championship taking place from June 30 to July 5 at Cooperstown All Star Village. The final championship game will be played on July 4. Qualifying tournaments will be held at Ripken Experiences, Diamond Nation, Sports Force Parks and Rocker B Ranch.

PBA, CW Network Launch 2026 ‘Championship Sundays’ Tour

The Professional Bowlers Association (PBA) and the CW Network announced the 2026 PBA Tour schedule. Starting in February 2026, “PBA Championship Sundays on the CW” will bring 20 hours of professional bowling coverage to the network over 10 consecutive Sunday afternoons. Live coverage will begin at 4:00 p.m. ET every Sunday starting on Feb. 22, 2026, with the PBA Players Championship in Arlington, Texas, and continuing through the PBA Tournament of Champions in Fairlawn, Ohio, on April 26, 2026.

NLT Cliff Diving Championship to Launch Inaugural Season

The No Limits Tour (NLT) Cliff Diving Championship, an athlete-owned pro cliff diving series, will launch its inaugural season on Oct. 4 at Hell’s Gate in Texas. The NLT Cliff Diving Championship aims to elevate extreme sports with an athlete-owned, content-first approach. Investors include Michele Attisani, co-founder and former chief business officer of esports company ESL FaceIt Group. In the series, men and women perform 27-meter (90-foot) dives at every event to earn championship points and prize money. The Hell’s Gate debut is being supported by commercial partners including the Lush Resort on Possum Kingdom Lake, Action Watersports, Athletic Brewing Company and more.