Braves Executive Named UMD Athletic Director

Smith has worked in athletics for more than two decades at both university and professional organizations, including the Atlanta Braves, the Ohio State University, Atlanta Falcons, AMB Sports & Entertainment and the Columbus Crew, among others. He will oversee the university’s Department of Intercollegiate Athletics team of more than 250 full-time staff members who support more than 550 student-athletes.

“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,” said Smith. “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.”

In his five-year tenure with the Braves, he has led a staff 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 president and CEO of the Ohio State University Alumni Association, one of the world’s largest alumni associations, with more than 80 professionals and 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, frequently cited as the most successful launch of a soccer franchise in the country’s history.

He is 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.

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, retired Ohio State athletic director Gene Smith.

“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.”

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.