SBC News Voice of the Sports Betting Industry
Genius Sports has announced the addition of two new members of its Board of Directors, effective from 8 March 2023.
Kenneth J. Kay will become an Independent Director and will immediately accept the role of chair of the Audit Committee, succeeding Harry You, and will also serve as a member of the Board’s Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee.
Meanwhile, Michael Messara will be appointed as an Independent Observer of the Board. He is the Co-Chief Investment Officer at Caledonia (Private) Investments Pty Limited (Caledonia) – a long-term shareholder in Genius.
The sports technology company outlined that Kay’s skills are ‘complementary’ to its collective capabilities, and will provide a combination of financial and operational expertise gained over three decades as CFO for various global and Fortune 500 companies.
These include Dole Food Company, CB Richard Ellis Group, Inc. and Las Vegas Sands Corporation.
Kay said on his new role: “This is an exhilarating time to join Genius Sports as it continues to transform the way the world experiences sport. I look forward to working closely with the board as the company enters the next phase of its journey as a global leader in sports data and technology.”
He most recently served as CFO of MGM Holdings, Inc and brings ‘extensive public board and audit committee experience’ gained through his tenure on the Board of Summit Hotel Properties where he is on the Audit Committee and chair of the Compensation Committee.
David Levy, Genius Sports Chair of the Board, said: “We are delighted to have Ken join the Board and take the lead as our new Audit Chair. Ken’s diverse expertise and depth of knowledge will undoubtedly serve the company extremely well as we continue to develop products and services that sit at the centre of the sports data ecosystem.
Moreover, Messara started his career in equity research as an analyst at UBS AG in Sydney, thereafter, joining Caledonia in 2006.
He also sits on the Board of Directors of Caledonia (Private) Investments Pty Limited and is a Non-Executive Director of Arrowfield Pastoral Company.
“We are pleased to welcome Michael as an independent observer to our Board, demonstrating Caledonia’s continued support and commitment to Genius, as it has from our original listing,” added Levy.
Messara noted that since Caledonia first invested in Genius Sports, the group has shared a ‘strong commitment’ to increasing shareholder value.
“With this new appointment, we look forward to deepening our relationship with the board, Mark and the whole Genius Sports team,” he concluded.
