What they're saying about new Maryland athletics director Jim Smith

Ahmed Ghafir
2 hours ago
3 min read

Roughly six weeks after filling one key vacancy with Buzz Williams on board as the program’s next head coach, Maryland Athletics filled arguably its biggest vacancy in the last 15 years after naming former Braves executive Jim Smith as the next permanent athletic director.

Smith heads to College Park after five seasons with the Atlanta Braves where he focused on the team’s marketing and communication strategies “to drive revenue, engagement and membership growth”, a key factor for president Darryll Pines with the university’s need to bolster its fundraising and fan outreach success.

While he isn’t a Maryland grad, Smith received his bachelor’s degree at Northwestern before receiving his master's degree in sports management at Ohio State University, where he also spent four years as president & CEO. While serving in the Buckeyes' administration and as the alumni association president, Smith oversaw double-digit growth percentage in both annual revenue growth and alumni participation within a two-year period - an attractive accomplishment given Maryland's biggest weakness.

Smith also spent nearly 12 years with the Atlanta Falcons, first as vice president and chief marketing officer before adding an executive title for the final four years with the franchise. He also spent four years as the president of JS Sports Properties & Consulting, a sports consulting company advising on marketing, leadership and revenue maximization.

Smith will take over his role on July 15, 2025, per release, with him the Braves' point person for the 2025 MLB All-Star Game at Truist Park.

What They’re Saying:

"Jim is a proven and exceptional talent who has excelled in a variety of professional sports organizations," said Big Ten Commissioner Tony Petitti. "He will be a wonderful addition to the Big Ten Athletic Director group and I look forward to working with him."

"Intercollegiate athletics is undergoing rapid change. The A.D. position is evolving as well," said Gene Smith, former Senior Vice President and Director of Athletics at The Ohio State University. "Jim Smith's experiences on campus and with pro sports make him uniquely qualified to lead the Terrapins program. Organizations like Ohio State, the Braves, the Falcons and Atlanta United are all exceptional, making Jim a tremendous hire."

"Jim is an outstanding leadership addition for the University of Maryland," said Rich McKay, CEO of AMB Sports and Entertainment. "His track record in sports speaks for itself, and his ability to build strong relationships and navigate complex situations while thinking creatively and strategically is what set him apart during his time with the Atlanta Falcons. I'm certain those same skills will serve him well in this new role. Maryland is getting someone who understands the business of sports and knows how to lead within it."

“The University of Maryland is getting a seasoned sports executive with a proven track record of enhancing championship organizations," said Derek Schiller, President and CEO of the Atlanta Braves. "Jim is bringing more than 20 years of successful experience strategically building revenue and developing talent at the professional and collegiate levels. He is an excellent communicator with an innate ability to lead in complex multifaceted organizations. There is no doubt that he will take Maryland's athletic program to new heights and we wish him nothing but the best.”

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