Sportradar appoints ex-Google VP as new CTO and chief AI officer
Switzerland-based supplier confirms Google stalwart Behshad Behzadi as CTO and CAIO just one week after new CFO was named
Sportradar has hired Behshad Behzadi as its new chief technology officer (CTO) and chief artificial intelligence officer (CAIO) as the supplier’s leadership restructure continues to take shape.
Behzadi joins the supplier after more than 15 years at Google, during which time he co-founded and launched Google Assistant, Google Lens and the Next Gen Assistant for the Pixel 4. He left the tech giant after three years serving as vice-president of engineering.
The move to Sportradar means Behzadi will be based at Sportsradar’s Switzerland headquarters and report into CEO Carsten Koerl. He will oversee the use of AI to ensure “hyper-personalised experiences for sports fans”.
The former Google VP cited the sports data supplier’s “history of innovation” as part of the appeal behind the move.
“Sportradar is an exceptional company and category leader operating at the global intersection of sports, technology and digital content,” Behzadi said. “I am very excited to join an organisation that pushes the boundaries on technology and puts a premium on innovation.
“I look forward to working alongside Carsten, the rest of the executive management team and their talented group of creators to continue Sportradar’s history of innovation as the company enters its next exciting chapter.”
CEO Koerl added: “We are proud to welcome Behshad, a world-renowned leader in harnessing generative AI and other advanced technologies, who marries a unique blend of technical expertise and business acumen.
“His proven track record in developing and commercialising product strategies to accelerate growth and innovation, as well as spearheading initiatives aimed at improving internal operational efficiency, will bolster our leadership position, keeping Sportradar at the forefront of technological advancement.”
Behzadi’s appointment as Sportradar CTO and CAIO comes just one week after the supplier named former Discovery exec Craig Felenstein as the company’s new CFO, succeeding Gerard Griffin in the role.
Felenstein’s tenure begins on 1 June, following his departure from cruise and adventure travel company Lindblad Expeditions, where he has served as CFO from September 2016. Like Behzadi, Felenstein will be part of the Sportradar executive leadership team and also report to Koerl.
January saw the company begin its organisation and leadership restructure, with Sportradar’s structure now made up of six business functions. The New York-listed firm’s legal, risk and admin pillar will be overseen by chief legal officer and corporate secretary Lynn McCreary.
Severine Riviere-Gerstner will lead the people and finance arms of the company alongside CFO Felenstein. Former CPO Warren Murphy is now chief delivery and operations manager.
Former chief content officer Nick Maywald is now chief growth and innovation officer, and Eduard Blonk, chief commercial officer, makes up the last of the supplier’s new senior leadership outfit.