Genius Sports Strengthens Board with Appointment of New Independent Advisors
Genius Sports has announced the appointment of two new board members, with Kenneth J. Kay joining as an independent director and chair of the audit committee, while Michael Messara is taking up the role of independent board observer
The appointments are effective from March 8, 2023.
Kay and Messara Join the Board
The Board of Directors of Genius Sports has selected Kenneth J. Kay to join as an independent director and head of the audit committee, replacing outgoing chair Harry You. Kay’s professional experience spans over thirty years, where he has held CFO positions at multiple global and Fortune 500 companies, such as Dole Food Company, CB Richard Ellis Group, and Las Vegas Sands Corporation. Recently, Kay served as the CFO of MGM Holdings, which Amazon acquired in 2022.
Kay brings a wealth of knowledge in public board and audit committee roles, including his service on the audit committee and chair of the compensation committee for Summit Hotel Properties. Kay’s expertise extends beyond finance as he has led critical business functions like IT, HR, and procurement, providing him with a broad and profound perspective on corporate governance.
Genius Sports also announced the addition of Michael Messara as an independent advisor to the Board. Messara has a vast and diverse experience in the financial industry, having worked with top-tier firms and companies worldwide.
Prior to joining the Board of Genius Sports, he worked as a fund manager for various firms, including UBS AG in Sydney, where he started his career as an equity research analyst.
Messara currently holds the position of co-chief investment officer at Caledonia, a global hedge fund with offices in Sydney and New York, where he oversees a concentrated high-conviction portfolio with a long-time horizon. He also sits on the Board of Directors of Caledonia Investments Pty Limited and serves as a non-executive Director of Arrowfield Pastoral Company, further demonstrating his expertise in the financial and investment sectors.
Messara’s deep knowledge of the industry, coupled with his vast experience, will provide valuable insights to the Board and help steer the company towards long-term success.
Chair of Genius Sports Welcomes New Appointments
Genius Sports chair of the Board, David Levy, expressed his excitement at the new appointments, noting that Kay’s expertise and knowledge will serve the company well as it continues to develop products and services in the sports data ecosystem, while Messara’s appointment demonstrates Caledonia’s continued support and commitment to Genius Sports.
Kay expressed his eagerness to join the team:
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.
Kenneth J. Kay, independent director and head of the audit committee, Genius Sports
Messara echoed these sentiments, stating that Caledonia has a strong commitment to building on Genius Sports’ many successes and increasing shareholder value.
Genius Sports is the official data, technology, and broadcast partner that powers the global ecosystem connecting sports, betting, and media. Its technology is used in over 150 countries worldwide, supporting over 400 sports organizations, including some of the world’s largest leagues and federations such as the NFL, EPL, and FIBA.
Silvia has dabbled in all sorts of writing – from content writing for social media to movie scripts. She has a Bachelor's in Screenwriting and experience in marketing and producing documentary films. With her background as a customer support agent within the gambling industry, she brings valuable insight to the Gambling News writers’ team.
