The carousel of executive talent in sports business continued its familiar rotation this week, with a series of appointments that suggest, among other things, that the pipeline between women's soccer and broader sports entertainment continues to widen.

Michelle Haines, who served most recently as vice president for marketing at the National Women's Soccer League, has been named team president of MLV Minnesota, the expansion club owned by Minnesota Sports & Entertainment. Ms. Haines previously held the title of vice president for marketing and ticketing at the Seattle Reign from 2022 to 2024. (The path from women's soccer marketing to running an entire franchise is becoming rather well-worn, which is either a sign of the league's success in developing executives or its difficulty in retaining them.)

At Athletes First, the talent management firm, three employees received promotions to senior positions: Dan Gyves, formerly head of media partnerships, becomes senior vice president for sales; Matt Shulman, who led the properties division, is now senior vice president for partnerships and integration; and Danielle Spencer moves from vice president for events and clients to vice president for properties.

Athletic Club Grand Rapids, the second-division soccer team, hired B.J. Snow as vice president for sporting operations and strategy. Mr. Snow most recently ran Snow Tarpley Strategies, a consulting firm he operated with his wife, Lindsay Tarpley, the former United States women's national team player.

In the National Football League, the Tennessee Titans named Dave Gardi as executive vice president for football operations, filling the vacancy left by Chad Brinker, who resigned last month. Mr. Gardi spent the last two seasons as senior vice president for football initiatives with the Washington Commanders and will report to Mike Borgonzi, the Titans' general manager.

The sports business, as always, abhors an empty office.

Original story published in sportsbusinessjournal.com: "Sports Business Daily: Executive Transactions - May 21, 2026"