Former Paddy Power exec returns to the gambling world with Sportradar

It took two years for Alex Gersh to realize he belonged in the gaming industry. He previously served as the Group Chief Financial Officer (CFO) for Paddy Power Betfair, where he showed considerable talent for helping the gaming operator expand. However, he took a break and changed industries, a move that didn’t last too long. Gersh is now back into gaming, having been tapped by sports gambling data giant Sportradar to be its new Group CFO. According to the company, he’s already slipped on his new shoes. 

Sportradar announced the placement yesterday, adding that Gersh will operate from the company’s office in London. He will “report directly to CEO Carsten Koerl and will be responsible for the financial management, planning and performance of the group, including reviewing major investment decisions and new business opportunities.”

It was just over two years ago when Gersh left the gaming industry to try something new. At the time, the move probably seemed right; he had just finished helping Paddy Power and Betfair through their first year as a combined company, following the $6.2-billion merger a year earlier, and it would have been hard to top that off. He switched industries to assist Cazoo, a used vehicle eCommerce startup, but Sportradar was able to convince him to come back to gaming. 

On being recruited by Sportradar, Gersh explains, “Sportradar is a business I have long admired and I’m thrilled to be joining at such an interesting time for the global sports and betting industries. Carsten and the management team have some very exciting plans over the coming years and I’m looking forward to helping the company achieve its goals.”