LAUSANNE, Switzerland — The International Olympic Committee has begun a search for a new head of media rights following the planned departures of two senior executives in the department, officials said.
The IOC posted the job advertisement on June 15 for the open-ended position based in Lausanne, according to the organization's recruitment listing. The role carries responsibility for revenue generation across the global media rights portfolio.
Yohann Lacroix, senior manager of media rights, and Nicolas Berges, senior media rights manager, will both leave the IOC in the coming months, SportBusiness reported. Lacroix joined the IOC in late 2019 after working at CAA Eleven, while Berges joined in October 2022 following time at Team Marketing.
The departures come from a six-strong media rights division within a wider team of 14 focused on media rights and content partnerships, headed by Jerome Parmentier. Parmentier announced the search on his LinkedIn account on Monday.
"The Head of Media Rights role sits at the centre of the IOC’s commercial agenda and carries full responsibility for revenue generation across the global media rights portfolio in a highly strategic and international environment," the job description states.
The IOC is seeking an established commercial leader with a strong track record in media rights, ideally from a broadcaster, sports agency or sports governing body, with proven experience in structuring and negotiating complex global deals. Fluency in English or French is required.
Key responsibilities include leading sales and negotiations, servicing media rights holders, overseeing rights protection and leading the team. The position involves high-stakes international negotiations and coordination with stakeholders including Olympic Broadcasting Services.
Media rights form a major part of the IOC's revenue, supporting the Olympic Movement. Recent deals include agreements for the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics and future Games, such as with beIN Media Group for the Middle East and North Africa through 2028.
Ongoing negotiations include rights in the Indian subcontinent for 2028 onward, as well as longer-term solutions in markets like Russia, the Caribbean and Mena from 2030. Details of the exact impact of the departures on current processes remain unclear.
The search follows the IOC's continued focus on adapting to changes in the global media landscape, including linear and streaming economics. No timeline for appointing a successor was immediately available.
Applications for the role are being accepted as the organization prepares for upcoming Olympic cycles.
