On Thursday morning, the university officially announced the appointment of Jim Smith, a senior executive with the Atlanta Braves. Since March 2020, Smith has served as the Braves’ senior vice president of business strategy.
“Our university takes great pride in its athletic legacy and the achievements of our coaches and student-athletes who wear our colors,” said UMD President Darryll J. Pines in a statement. “As the landscape of college sports continues to shift, Jim offers valuable business and leadership expertise, along with the drive, vision, and enthusiasm needed to elevate our athletics program to greater success and influence.”
Jim Smith expressed his gratitude, saying, “I’m deeply honored to be selected to lead the University of Maryland’s athletics department and to help guide its historic programs into the future. I’m eager to build on the strong foundation already in place and to steer Maryland forward during this transformative time in college athletics, with a strong emphasis on student-athlete health, well-being, and academic achievement.”
Smith succeeds Damon Evans, who was identified as a candidate for the athletic director position at SMU on March 20—news confirmed by both media reports and former men’s basketball coach Kevin Willard during an NCAA Tournament press conference. The following day, Colleen Sorem, a 10-year Maryland staff member and the deputy athletic director since July 2018, was named interim athletic director. Under the leadership of Sorem and UMD President Darryll Pines, the university appointed Buzz Williams as the new men’s basketball coach on April 1.
According to the university’s announcement, the national search was overseen by Jay Rosselló, Vice President for Legal Affairs and General Counsel, and Stephanie Shonekan, Dean of the College of Arts and Humanities, with additional support from the search firm TurnKeyZRG. Jim Smith is set to begin his new role at Maryland on July 15.
The release also highlighted Smith’s contributions with the Atlanta Braves, where he led a team dedicated to developing innovative strategies across business operations, branding, marketing, and communications. These efforts aimed to boost revenue, fan engagement, and membership growth. Under his strategic and forward-thinking leadership, the organization experienced rapid expansion, including marked increases in ticket sales, concessions, and retail performance.
Jim Smith, a Northwestern graduate with a bachelor’s degree in communications and a master’s in sports management from Ohio State, has held several prominent roles throughout his career. One of his key positions was serving as president and CEO of the Ohio State University Alumni Association from March 2016 to March 2020. There, he managed a $17 million budget and achieved a 10% annual revenue increase over two years, along with a 15% rise in alumni engagement. According to the university’s statement, Smith also spearheaded a revamped marketing and communications approach, which included redesigned publications, a new social media strategy, and the launch of a mobile app to improve alumni outreach.
Former Ohio State Senior Vice President and Athletics Director Gene Smith praised the appointment, noting, “College athletics is rapidly evolving, and so is the role of the athletic director. Jim Smith’s unique background—spanning both campus and professional sports—makes him exceptionally suited to lead Maryland. His experience with high-performing organizations like Ohio State, the Braves, the Falcons, and Atlanta United makes him an outstanding choice.” The release added that Jim Smith intends to consult with Gene Smith as he transitions into the role.
Big Ten Commissioner Tony Petitti also commended the hire, saying, “Jim has demonstrated excellence across multiple professional sports organizations. He’s a valuable addition to the Big Ten’s group of athletic directors, and I look forward to working alongside him.”
Before joining Maryland, Smith held several senior executive roles with Arthur M. Blank Sports & Entertainment (AMBSE), which oversees revenue and marketing operations for the NFL’s Atlanta Falcons, MLS’s Atlanta United, and led the development of the $1.6 billion Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
Rich McKay, CEO of AMBSE, highlighted Smith’s leadership abilities: “Jim’s record speaks for itself. His strategic thinking, creativity, and relationship-building made a major impact with the Falcons, and I’m confident he’ll bring the same strengths to Maryland. He truly understands the sports business and how to lead within it.”
Derek Schiller, President and CEO of the Atlanta Braves, added: “Maryland is gaining a veteran sports executive with more than two decades of success in both college and professional athletics. Jim is a skilled communicator and a visionary leader, and I’m confident he’ll elevate Maryland’s athletic program. We wish him all the best.”
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