Maryland announces Jim Smith as next athletic director

Ahmed Ghafir
2 hours ago
4 min read

After nearly six weeks with an interim athletic director in place, Maryland Athletics appears to have its next hire in place with former Atlanta Braves executive Jim Smith expected to be hired. Yahoo Sports first reported the hire, while Maryland announced that Smith begins his new role on July 15, 2025.

Smith replaces Damon Evans at the position with Smith leaving his role as the Braves’ senior vice president for business strategy, a job he's held since 2020. He has also worked as the general manager and vice president/general manager of the Columbus Crew dating back to 2000.

"We are proud of the athletics tradition here at the University of Maryland and of the accomplishments of our coaches and student-athletes who represent the red, black, white and gold," said UMD President Darryll J. Pines via release. "As college athletics rapidly evolves, Jim brings valuable administrative and business experience, plus the energy, vision and passion to lead our athletics program to new levels of success and impact."

Smith, a Northwestern grad, takes over an athletic department in dire need of a rebrand with his background appealing for a fanbase that has struggled with inconsistency at the top of the athletic department. Other candidates like Michael Lipitz and Joe LaBue were viewed as potential replacements while interim athletic director Colleen Sorem, who is expected to head to SMU, drew a look at an interview. But with a late May-early June timeline in place, president Darryll Pines has turned a much-needed page on the athletic department.

"It is a great honor to be chosen to lead the athletics department at the University of Maryland and to guide UMD's storied programs into the next era," Smith added via release. "I am highly motivated to build upon excellence and lead Maryland forward in a dynamic and pivotal time for intercollegiate athletics, with a sharp focus on student-athlete health, well-being and academic success."

More via release:

In his five-year tenure with the Braves, he has led a team focused on implementing innovative business, brand, marketing and communications strategies to drive revenue, engagement and membership growth. Smith's visionary leadership and strategy team assisted the organization in rapid growth, resulting in significant increases in annual ticket sales, concessions and retail. He is the Braves' point person for the 2025 MLB All-Star Game at Truist Park.

Smith was previously with the Ohio State University Alumni Association, where, as president and CEO, he led one of the largest alumni associations in the world, including a team of more than 80 professionals, and oversaw a $17 million budget. He implemented new strategies focused on innovative alumni engagement and outreach, resulting in a 10% annual revenue growth in two years, and 15% increase in alumni participation. He also led the development of a new marketing and communications strategy focused on increasing affinity for the university, including redesigned publications, social media strategy and the launch of an app to enhance alumni communications.

Smith held a series of senior executive positions at Arthur M. Blank Sports & Entertainment (AMBSE), in charge of all revenue and marketing for the National Football League's Atlanta Falcons, Major League Soccer's Atlanta United, and the design and development of the $1.6 billion Mercedes-Benz Stadium project. He developed a strategic revenue generation plan for the stadium, creating a state-of-the-art facility to meet the needs of an evolving industry. He provided oversight of all sales functions for the stadium, including negotiating naming rights, sponsorships and suite sales. At AMBSE, Smith was the driving force in the creation of Atlanta's MLS franchise, Atlanta United, the most successful launch of a soccer franchise in the country's history.

He is currently a board member for the Mitsubishi Electric Senior PGA, Gwinnett County Chamber, and Arete Scholars. He holds a bachelor's degree in communications from Northwestern University and a master's degree in sports management from the Ohio State University.

Smith's arrival at Maryland follows an era of recent successes and milestones for the Terrapins, beginning with the university's entry into the Big Ten Conference and the Big Ten Academic Alliance in 2014. New facilities, such as the Jones-Hill House Football Performance Center; the new Barry Gossett Basketball Performance Center; and the Barry and Mary Gossett Hall for Academic and Personal Excellence of Student-Athletes, have raised the university's profile as a leader and innovator in athletics.

In addition, Smith takes the helm at a time when Maryland teams have landed significant achievements. Since joining the Big Ten, Maryland has captured 49 conference championships, the third-most of any school during that span. Additionally, Maryland has secured six of its 47 national team championships over the last decade in the Big Ten.

Smith brings with him a network of colleagues and consultants who have led elite college athletics. Smith plans to tap the consulting talents of his former colleague, the retired and legendary athletic director for the Ohio State University, Gene Smith.

Smith's selection follows a national search led by an internal search committee, led by Vice President for Legal Affairs and General Counsel Jay Rosselló and Arts and Humanities Dean Stephanie Shonekan, and supported by TurnKeyZRG. He assumes his new position on July 15, 2025. A press conference to introduce Smith to the UMD community will be scheduled, and additional details will follow.

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