Braves executive to leave Atlanta for Maryland AD position

The Braves are losing one of their top executives, Jim Smith, to Maryland, where he will be the school’s athletic director, according to Pete Thamel.

The Terps were interested in Smith because of his time in both the professional and collegiate ranks, with stints as an executive in MLB, the NFL, and MLS, as well as time at Ohio State.

With the Braves, Smith was the Senior Vice President of Business Strategy, a role he’s held since 2020. Before the Braves, he was an executive with the Falcons in multiple roles, including being the chief marketing officer and revenue office vice president and chief marketing officer.

Maryland has a lot to improve upon in terms of athletics. Buzz Williams is taking over as the basketball coach, and the football program is coming off a 4-8 season. If you’re into that sort of thing, the Terps lacrosse program is elite, though.

Maryland’s former AD Damon Evans left the school for SMU, whose athletics budget is surely larger than Maryland’s. Jim Smith will have a lot to do with the Terps, with most keeping their eye on the football team.