The University of Maryland announced Thursday that James Smith, an executive with the Atlanta Braves, has been named the school’s new athletic director.
Smith, who served as the Braves’ senior vice president of business strategy for the past five years, steps into the role following Damon Evans’ departure two months ago to become the athletic director at SMU.
“I’m deeply honored to lead Maryland Athletics and help shape the future of its storied programs,” Smith said. “This is a critical moment in college sports, and I’m committed to advancing the department with a strong emphasis on student-athlete well-being, academic achievement, and competitive success.”
Maryland has made significant investments in athletics infrastructure in recent years, including the opening of a new football facility four years ago and a new basketball practice center set to open this year. Since joining the Big Ten in 2014, the Terrapins have claimed 49 conference titles and six national team championships.
The women’s basketball team, led by Brenda Frese since 2002, remains a national powerhouse. On the men’s side, Maryland reached the Elite Eight last season under Kevin Willard, who has since left for Villanova amid controversy over the school’s support for the program. Buzz Williams was hired from Texas A&M to replace him.
Despite success in other sports, Maryland has continued to struggle in football, the Big Ten’s marquee sport. The team averaged just 36,040 fans per home game last season—ranking 17th out of 18 in the conference—and has yet to post a winning record in Big Ten play. Under head coach Mike Locksley, the Terps finished 4-8 overall and 1-8 in the conference last season, and they’re projected to be near the bottom of the standings again in 2025.
During his tenure with the Atlanta Braves, James Smith oversaw growth in ticket sales, concessions, and merchandise. Before that, he served as president and CEO of the Ohio State Alumni Association and held leadership roles with the Atlanta Falcons and Atlanta United. He also played a key role in the planning and construction of Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
Smith will now take charge of an athletic department facing financial challenges, just as college sports enters a new era of revenue sharing. If the NCAA’s multibillion-dollar antitrust settlement is approved, the policy will take effect July 1.
Maryland intends to distribute the maximum allowed $20.5 million to its athletes during the 2025–26 academic year. To support this, former AD Damon Evans announced in January that ticket prices would go up and operating costs would be trimmed starting this fall.
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