Michael Johnson's Grand Slam Track appoints Steve Gera as ...

Grand Slam Track (GST), the new track league founded by Olympic gold medallist Michael Johnson, has named Steve Gera as president and chief operating officer.

Gera, a former platoon commander in the United States Marine Corps, joins GST after stints at major league sports teams including the Philadelphia 76ers, Cleveland Browns and San Diego Chargers. He was most recently cofounder and chief executive of sports and technology agency Gains Group.

GST, which was announced earlier this year, will hold four annual ‘Slams’ from next April, two of which will be staged in the US. Johnson, who will serve as commissioner, has said the league will keep track and field “at the forefront of the sporting world year round”.

The competition has already secured US$30 million from investors. Forty-eight athletes will be contracted to the league and commit to racing in all four ‘Slams’, while 48 more will receive a set appearance fee for competing in individual competitions.

“We’re not putting on a track meet,” said Gera. “We’re bringing something entirely new and different to market, and we’re really excited to show the world what that is. That only happens by hiring really great people who still have something left to prove.”

As well as the hiring of Gera, GST has appointed Rick Qualliotine as chief content officer, Teresa Palladino as vice president of marketing and partnerships, and Rina Thakker as chief technology and product officer. Qualliotine spent six years at NFL Media, Palladino arrives from ONE Championship, and Thakker joins after more than 17 years at World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE).

“All of them have worked at big blue-chip sports and entertainment brands, not just sports brands, not just entertainment brands,” said Gera. “They understand the complexities in the world of sports entertainment. For me and MJ [Michael Johnson], that was absolutely critical. Second thing, they’re all leaders and strategic and someone you would love to have on any of your teams … And the great thing is that they all have something to prove.”

Elsewhere, Leeds United have appointed two new board members, with Andrew Schwartzberg and Eugene Schneur joining the English second-tier soccer club’s senior leadership team.

Appointments

Gavin Isaacs                 Chief executive, EntainPreviously: Chairman, Games Global

Mark Fischer                   President, East Asia Super League (EASL) Previously: Managing director, Fischer Sports & Entertainment Asia

Tom Burwell                  Chief executive, SX Global     Previously: Associate director, business development, sponsorship, Formula One

Allison Howard                    Executive vice president and chief commercial officer, Cleveland Cavaliers  Previously: President, Kansas City Current  

Andy Jackson                  Senior vice president, Middle East, FootballcoPreviously: Vice president, global football partnerships, Footballco

Hannah GriffithsVice president, media rights sales – broadcast partnerships, DAZNPreviously: Vice president, content acquisition and partnerships, Joymo.tv

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