Racing Point hires ex-Michael Jordan marketing chief
Racing Point has appointed Jefferson Slack, the former marketing chief for basketball star Michael Jordan and CEO of Inter Milan, as its new commercial managing director.
Slack is the latest big-name appointment at the Formula 1 team ahead of its rebrand as Aston Martin for 2021, when it will be joined by four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel.
Slack has more than 30 years experience across sports marketing and business, having previously served as the chief of Michael Jordan's marketing activities during the 1990s.
The American then moved into football, spending four years as the CEO of Italian football club Inter Milan, and went on to hold senior leadership positions at agencies such as Wasserman and IMG.
Slack's most recent motorsport experience comes via a commercial advisory role to Dorna, the commercial rights holder for MotoGP, but he will now join Racing Point with immediate effect as its new commercial chief.
He will bolster the senior management team at Racing Point, reporting directly to team principal and CEO Otmar Szafnauer.
"With the progress we have made this season on the track and with our upcoming relaunch as Aston Martin F1 Team, we have a unique opportunity to create an iconic new sports property that's at the forefront of Formula 1," said Racing Point team owner Lawrence Stroll.
"We are delighted to appoint Jefferson Slack to help us realise the full global commercial and marketing opportunities that lie ahead."
Slack called Racing Point "one of the most exciting commercial opportunities, not just in Formula 1, but in the whole of the sports industry".
He added: "We are looking to build an iconic new sports brand in Aston Martin F1 Team, and in the process we believe we will create a unique global marketing platform for other brands and partners.
"I am looking forward to working with Lawrence and Otmar, and building a world-class commercial and marketing team."
Racing Point is currently on-course for its most successful season in F1 to date, sitting fourth in the constructors' championship after nine races with one podium finish to its name.
The team will officially be rebranded as Aston Martin F1 Team for the 2021 season following Lawrence Stroll's investment in the British car firm earlier this year.
Related video
Previous article
Hamilton should join Red Bull alongside Verstappen - Jordan
Next article
Williams struggles haven’t put Kubica off idea of racing again
About this article
| Series | Formula 1 |
| Teams | Racing Point |
| Author | Luke Smith |
Why Verstappen isn't interested in the hype game
In a pre-season where Red Bull has been unusually quiet, Max Verstappen has also been guarded about the team's fortunes in 2021. Even after trying the RB16B for the first time at Silverstone, the Dutchman was careful to manage expectations
The pros and cons of F1's 2021 rule changes
In the strategy for grand prix racing's future, 2021 represents a significant step towards the goal of closer racing and a more level playing field. That's the theory behind the latest raft of changes, but will they have the desired effect?
What Red Bull is trying to hide with its RB16B launch
Red Bull made no secret of the fact its 2021 F1 car is an evolution of its predecessor, but in keeping the same foundations while hiding some tightly-guarded updates with its RB16B, the team aims to avoid suffering the same pitfalls of previous years
How Albon plans to fight his way out of Red Bull limbo
Alex Albon has faced the media for the first time since he lost his Red Bull drive at the end of 2020 and dropped out of a Formula 1 race seat altogether. He has a history of bouncing back from setbacks, so here's what he must do to rise again
Ranked! Carlin's greatest F1 graduates
Carlin has helped guide enough drivers to Formula 1 to fill out an entire grid, plus a handful of reserves, to create a remarkable alumni list. With Yuki Tsunoda set to join that group, Motorsport.com has ranked its graduates to grace the grand prix scene...
Why Alfa's 2021 launch says more about its 2022 plans
Alfa Romeo launched its C41 with a revised front nose, but there's little to suggest it will surge up the leaderboard in 2021. As the team frankly admits, it's putting its eggs in the basket labelled 2022 and hoping to hold the eighth place it earned last year
Why Gasly’s AlphaTauri haven is a blessing and a curse
Red Bull opted not to re-sign Pierre Gasly even before it decided to drop Alex Albon and so the Frenchman's Formula 1 journey will continue at AlphaTauri. This has positive and negative connotations for one of last season's star performers.
Eight things Red Bull must do to beat Mercedes in 2021
After seven years of defeat at the hands of Mercedes, Red Bull is as hungry as ever to secure a fifth world championship. But there are key challenges it must overcome in 2021 to switch from challenger to conqueror
