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Michael Smith Profile
Michael Smith

@SmittySBJ

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Sports Business Journal ... msmith @sportsbusinessjournal .com ... @AppState

Charlotte, NC
Joined February 2011
Don't wanna be here? Send us removal request.
@SmittySBJ
Michael Smith
4 years
NEWS: CBS exits talks w/ SEC. College football's highest-rated package probably going to Disney. SEC will make $250M-$300M more per year from premium package of 15 games. That means a raise of close to $20M per school or more whenever the new deal begins.
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Michael Smith
3 years
NEWS: Pac-12 agrees to part ways with commissioner Larry Scott. Conference CEOs just finished meeting tonight. National search for new commissioner will begin immediately.
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@SmittySBJ
Michael Smith
7 years
Wow, veteran Nike exec George Raveling on LaVar Ball: “The worst thing to happen to basketball in the last hundred years.” #sbjwcs
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@SmittySBJ
Michael Smith
2 years
NEWS: Oklahoma's SoonerVision content, which includes one live football game, the spring football game and more than 100 live events, is moving to ESPN+. It will be the most expansive ESPN+ deal for one school. More in Morning Buzz.
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@SmittySBJ
Michael Smith
6 years
Covered college football for 30 years and found Penn St fans to be the most knowledgable and respectful as I've ever encountered.
@BrianNealNews
Brian Neal
6 years
A well-deserved standing ovation for Appalachian State from the Penn State fans.
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Michael Smith
6 years
NEWS: @adidas will sponsor Pac Pro Football, a league that's an alternative to college football. Footwear, apparel, uniform deal. More details coming in Morning Buzz.
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@SmittySBJ
Michael Smith
2 years
Well, this happened in Boone. Video: ⁦ @colsonsmith01 ⁩ … ⁦ @AppState_FB
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Michael Smith
3 years
NEWS: The four original Jordan Brand schools (Florida, Michigan, UNC, Oklahoma) will make up the field in a marquee new college basketball event. Men's and women's teams. Starts in Dec 2022. Charlotte Sports Foundation's Danny Morrison running point.
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Michael Smith
2 years
NEWS: Texas A&M's Michael Thompson Jr. selected by @ESPN to head up @SECNetwork and @LonghornNetwork .
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Michael Smith
4 years
Congrats to the five finalists for SBJ's 2020 AD of the year: Curt Apsey, Boise State Kirby Hocutt, Texas Tech Rob Mullens, Oregon Mack Rhoades, Baylor Scott Stricklin, Florida The winner will be announced in May at Sports Business Awards in NY.
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Michael Smith
5 months
In tonight's SBJ College, I share that I'm stepping away from the college beat to focus on my health beginning next month. I was diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease in 2014. Couldn't ask for more support from SBJ's marvelous leadership.
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Michael Smith
2 years
NEWS: OU Sooners, Learfield sign 10-year comprehensive multimedia rights deal. Another huge win for AD Joe Castiglione.
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Michael Smith
6 years
Spent the last 48 hours roadtripping to Penn St with my five college buddies, tailgating like a beast, cheering @AppState_FB until I lost my voice, getting my heart broken in OT and loving every minute. The power of college football. Nothing like it.
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@SmittySBJ
Michael Smith
4 years
Duke AD Kevin White, chair of the NCAA selection committee, was supposed to have a teleconference today. The NCAA just cancelled it.
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@SmittySBJ
Michael Smith
6 years
SBJ today announces 5 finalists for 2018 AD of the Year: Sandy Barbour, Penn State Jeff Bourne, James Madison Boo Corrigan, Army Jim Phillips, Northwestern Danny White, UCF
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@SmittySBJ
Michael Smith
4 years
App State finalizing game against Charlotte 49ers in Boone on Sept. 12. Big news in my neck of the woods.
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@SmittySBJ
Michael Smith
7 years
NEWS: Learfield, IMG College joining forces in blockbuster merger.
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Michael Smith
7 years
SBJ: New @Daktronics LED board @AppState_FB will totally change the south end zone look. Also adding ribbon boards on east, west sides.
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Michael Smith
4 years
POLL: 41% of sports biz executives say live sports will return by the end of June. SBJ poll with YouGov.
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@SmittySBJ
Michael Smith
2 years
App State's average attendance in 1983 (my freshman year) was 12,873. ... On Saturday, 40,000 fans will fill Kidd Brewer Stadium. Could never have imagined it.
@joefav
Joe Favorito
2 years
Nice read. With #UNC coming to town, App State and Boone brace for a Saturday unlike any other @SmittySBJ
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@SmittySBJ
Michael Smith
8 years
Chick-fil-A's 'Fowl Shot' at S.Carolina one of best college hoop promotions all season. Good work by @ericnichols
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@SmittySBJ
Michael Smith
2 years
The ACC has always counted on the grant of media rights to prevent schools from defecting to Big Ten or SEC. It's not. Schools have been doing the math.
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@SmittySBJ
Michael Smith
1 year
Look what I found this morning. I killed a lot of hours in the backseat during long rides playing this classic.
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@SmittySBJ
Michael Smith
2 years
My first story published in The Charlotte Observer … 1987. My senior year ⁦ @appstate ⁩. … This week’s ⁦ @JMUFootball ⁩ game ⁦ @AppState_FB ⁩ brings back some memories. App and James Madison have always had the potential for a great rivalry.
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@SmittySBJ
Michael Smith
7 years
If CUSA & Sun Belt ever split up schools geographically, this is what the new leagues would look like. Story in SBJ.
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@SmittySBJ
Michael Smith
3 years
NEWS: Wake up! It's July 1 and we have some of the first NIL deals for college athletes. Not surprisingly Fresno State's Cavinder sisters are among the first deals with Six Star, a supplement maker.
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@SmittySBJ
Michael Smith
4 years
Under Armour way overpaid UCLA, now looking for escape. Hearing the same thing at Cal, another head-scratching UA deal.
@latbbolch
Ben Bolch
4 years
Under Armour has informed UCLA that it is attempting to terminate its record $280-million apparel deal with the school. In an email to UCLA constituents, athletic director Dan Guerrero wrote "We are exploring all of our options to resist Under Armour's actions."
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@SmittySBJ
Michael Smith
10 years
Average crowd at #FSU was nearly 7,000 under capacity. And that's with an undefeated season, BCS title and Heisman winning QB.
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@SmittySBJ
Michael Smith
4 years
Breaking in SBJ: Casey Schwab has assembled a powerhouse team (Urban Meyer, Oliver Luck +) to advise colleges on NIL. Texas, LSU, Arizona St are first clients for the new firm, Altius.
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@SmittySBJ
Michael Smith
2 years
Pac-12 media rights going to open market. ESPN, Fox remain involved in negotiations, but exclusive negotiating period has ended.
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@SmittySBJ
Michael Smith
6 years
My incredibly smart and talented wife just learned that she passed her boards to become a nationally certified teacher/counselor. In her 26 years, she has helped so many children. Congratulations Lisa!
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Michael Smith
2 years
Lost in all the football chatter is that ESPN gets the first 20 picks of men’s basketball games each season in the Big 12’s new media rights deal (as reported in last night’s SBJ College). The Gonzaga news suddenly makes that a lot more relevant.
@PeteThamel
Pete Thamel
2 years
Sources:Gonzaga AD Chris Standiford met with Big 12 Commissioner Brett Yormark in person in Texas last week about Gonzaga potentially joining the Big 12. This is part of broader discussions that have unfolded in recent weeks between the Big 12 and Gonzaga.
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Michael Smith
5 years
After spending nearly 20 hours with Texas AD @_delconte on gameday against LSU, I was wiped out, but CDC was still going strong. My inside look at an AD's fast-paced schedule on gameday. (no sub needed).
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@SmittySBJ
Michael Smith
7 years
Butler's bulldog @ButlerBlue3 is a model for how schools can leverage a live mascot. ($)
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Michael Smith
5 years
NEWS: Learfield-IMG College merger official now. Greg Brown and Mark Shapiro delivered the news to employees this morning. A new era in collegiate marketing/media is upon us.
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Michael Smith
2 years
Happy Anniversary!! 32 years with this beauty.
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@SmittySBJ
Michael Smith
4 years
ACC's top doctor: College football can be played safely. (open)
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@SmittySBJ
Michael Smith
8 years
ACC's digital network will be available to authenticated @ESPN subscribers. Can watch it thru WatchESPN app.
@Ourand_Puck
John Ourand
8 years
Source: ESPN to launch a digital-only, "ACC Network Plus" in Aug 2016 and a linear "ACC Network" in Aug 2019. Full story in SBD tomorrow.
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Michael Smith
4 years
NEWS: Army West Point @goarmywestpoint signs Legends @TheLegendsWay to design and sale premium in Michie Stadium preservation project. Huge step for AD Mike Buddie @Buddie52 to create $3M-$4M in new revenue.
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@SmittySBJ
Michael Smith
1 year
NEWS: Teamworks, which works with 5,000 teams across 300-plus athletic departments, has acquired four companies. Its largest round of acquisitions to date. This takes the rapidly growing tech firm into realms of athlete and academic performance.
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Michael Smith
4 years
Found this little gem today in the rough at Meadowlands GC near Winston-Salem. Some coincidence ... ISP was sold exactly 10 years ago this week, which would make this a relic of a golf ball.
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@SmittySBJ
Michael Smith
7 years
Larry Culpepper says Happy Halloween. Ice cold Dr Pepper here!
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@SmittySBJ
Michael Smith
6 years
AD Jim Phillips guides @NorthwesternU "to a better destination." An in-depth profile on why we made him our 2018 AD of the Year. ($)
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@SmittySBJ
Michael Smith
6 years
Will always treasure the breakfasts @SalemsDiner1 with Commissioner Slive. And yes, he made sure the TV in the diner was always on SEC Network.
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@SmittySBJ
Michael Smith
5 years
IMG College all company call scheduled for tomorrow. Details of merger with Learfield expected to be revealed. Terms and divestitures could be part of it. Deal originally signed October 2017. DOJ review is thought to be complete.
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@SmittySBJ
Michael Smith
5 years
News: AAC gets $1 billion over 12 years from ESPN.
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Michael Smith
4 years
One of the really good guys in college sports, Andy Rawlings, is leaving Learfield/IMG. He looked awfully relaxed yesterday in Vail while we facetimed.
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Michael Smith
4 years
Tough news in Boone: One of my son's best friends plays soccer at App State. They have just been notified that soccer is being cut.
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@SmittySBJ
Michael Smith
5 years
Enjoyed spending the day with @appstatesports AD @DougGillin and meeting new football coach @CoachDrinkwitz , who earlier in the day jumped into the Duck Pond to benefit Special Olympics.
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@SmittySBJ
Michael Smith
1 year
Khan on the Pac-12: "They're in a tough spot ... caught off-guard by Big 12." ... Advice: Do a short-term deal and regroup. ... Be careful of an all-streaming deal and what it does to the relevancy of the schools/conference. ... For Pac-12, this can't just be a money grab.
@Ourand_Puck
John Ourand
1 year
New pod with WWE CEO Nick Khan as The Big Get.
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Michael Smith
5 years
SBJ: The @pac12 rejected a deal to partner with @ESPN on the struggling @Pac12Network . Would have given ESPN control over distribution, but the conference didn't want to cede control of the networks. Story with @Ourand_SBJ . ($)
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@SmittySBJ
Michael Smith
3 years
Learfield IMG College, Elevate see opportunities for naming rights, data-driven projects and other revenue-producing ideas. Friendship between @ColeG13 and @AlGuido drove the thinking behind new partnership.
@SBJ
Sports Business Journal
3 years
@riotgames @esportsobserved @TobiasSeck @Learfield and @elevatesv have begun collaborating on naming rights, data analytics and consulting opportunities in college sports, helping schools improve their revenue opportunities in the post-pandemic landscape ( @SmittySBJ ). Free to read:
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Michael Smith
6 years
Penn State bound this morning. @appstatesports
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Michael Smith
5 years
American Ath Conf exploring long-term grant of rights from league members to add value for TV deal. Possible implications for B12 expansion. (sub required)
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@SmittySBJ
Michael Smith
5 months
John and I started at SBJ the same week in June2006. Ever since, we’ve been best of friends, working together on stories, setting new records for double bylines and breaking a lot of news. He’s as good as they come, both as a friend and reporter. All the best on his new venture.
@SBJ
Sports Business Journal
5 months
After 17 years, John Ourand ( @Ourand_SBJ ) says goodbye to #SBJ 👋 The following was shared with our staff from Publisher & Executive Editor Abe Madkour earlier this morning ⬇️
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Michael Smith
7 years
Tonight at @SBATheShow , ran into MLB and former Ferrum great Billy Wagner, here w/ @colsonsmith01 . @Ferrum_Baseball
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Michael Smith
5 years
BREAKING: Endeavor is acquiring On Location Experiences for a little more than $650 million. NFL will retain its 20% stake.
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Michael Smith
2 years
No better way to spend Father’s Day than with ⁦ @colsonsmith01 ⁩ playing golf at Grandfather CC. Thank you, Buddy !!
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Michael Smith
7 years
NEWS: NCAA is seeking an esports consultant to help evaluate the space and whether the NCAA has a place in it. @BenFischerSBJ reporting.
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Michael Smith
6 years
Legendary journalist Ben Bradlee on @HBO documentary: “Hunker down. Hunker down and go about our business, which is not to be loved.” Truth!!
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@SmittySBJ
Michael Smith
3 years
Coffee is among the prohibited NIL categories for BYU athletes, right next to alcohol and adult entertainment. No sipping, no stripping.
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@SmittySBJ
Michael Smith
3 years
A lot of brands claim to have signed the first deal in NIL history at 12:01 AM.
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Michael Smith
2 years
I’ve never understood why App puts the students in the end zone for basketball. Put the students on the sideline opposite the benches. Start it Thursday. It would be a huge commitment to say that students get the best seats for football and basketball.
@BlackAndGoldPod
The Black & Gold Podcast®
2 years
This is how it starts. 😈
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Michael Smith
5 years
NEWS: Vanderbilt makes blockbuster AD hire — Malcolm Turner, president of the NBA's G League. All the details in Morning Buzz.
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Michael Smith
5 years
I was back in the Bluegrass ⁦ @UKFootball ⁩ last night with Abe to present the AD of the Year trophy to a very deserving Mitch Barnhart.
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Michael Smith
7 years
SBJ: @AppStateMBB getting new centerhung board w/ curved displays. Only third one from @Daktronics at a college venue. Trend in NBA arenas.
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Michael Smith
7 years
Lavar Ball got nothing on Mark Maye. Son Luke NCAA hero. Son Cole pitcher at Florida. But you'll never hear Mark brag.
@langstonwertzjr
Langston Wertz Jr.
7 years
You've all heard LaVar Ball speak about how good his sons are and how good he is. Now, you can WATCH him play.
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Michael Smith
1 year
The specially designed court at Spectrum Center for tonight’s inaugural Jumpman Invitational.
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Michael Smith
7 years
Huge morning for @Learfield biz @SIDEARMSports . Launched 33 new college sites, including 8 new sites in power five. ACC to come.
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@SmittySBJ
Michael Smith
5 years
Getting ready for Sports Business Awards tonight with ⁦ @Ourand_SBJ ⁩ in the NYC. #SBJawards
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Michael Smith
4 months
One of the most brilliant sunsets I’ve ever seen in Waxhaw NC.
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Michael Smith
5 years
What a great night for @WVUSports . SBJ 40u40 winner Keli Zinn with AD Shane Lyons. Two class acts. Congrats Keli.
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Michael Smith
4 years
Mountain West Conference's TV deal is done with CBS Sports & Fox. ... 6 years, $270M $45M per year A 3x raise vs previous deal
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@SmittySBJ
Michael Smith
6 years
Dammit.
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Michael Smith
4 years
It's official: App State-ECU football game in 2021 will move to the Thursday of season-opening weekend at Bank of America Stadium. Game stands a better chance of getting picked up by an ESPN channel on Thursday.
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@SmittySBJ
Michael Smith
5 years
Congrats, you earned it. Can’t wait for tailgating in the fall.
@colsonsmith01
Colson Smith
5 years
If you knew me in elementary school you knew it was meant to be
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Michael Smith
7 years
Tennessee’s next AD is John Currie from Kansas State. Announcement later today. Currie worked at UT as deputy before going to K-St in ‘09.
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Michael Smith
3 years
NEWS: Florida State has hired Legends to work on revenue generation (premium seating, concessions, etc.) from Doak-Campbell Stadium renovation.
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@SmittySBJ
Michael Smith
7 years
CFP champions $55M football ops center $63M Littlejohn renovation Leader in social media Quite a year in Tiger Town for @ClemsonDRad
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@SmittySBJ
Michael Smith
5 years
Great to spend some time with @DemonDeacons AD @John_Currie this morning as part of his daylong trip in Charlotte.
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Michael Smith
4 years
It’s time for the NCAA and Power 5 to sit out 2020-21 in all sports, regroup, take the revenue hit, and work with athlete reps to figure out a model that works for this generation of college athletics. Because doing more of the same ain’t working.
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@SmittySBJ
Michael Smith
4 years
NEWS: Cole Gahagan @ColeG13 is leaving @Fanatics to join @Learfield IMG College in a newly created position of President, content, revenue and enterprise solutions. He will oversee all revenue-related aspects of the college sports marketing/media giant. 🔒
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Michael Smith
5 years
The news: Marquette is starting a varsity esports team this fall that will operate out of athletics. What caught my eye is that the university president made the announcement, which speaks to the school's commitment.
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Michael Smith
2 years
Michigan AD Manuel has already apologized to Wisconsin AD McIntosh.
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Michael Smith
3 years
NEWS: Ben Sutton's Teall Capital acquires Colonnade Group. Big move in the college space. The #SBJCollege newsletter is out
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Michael Smith
1 year
A P5 commissioner job has always been considered a destination, but Kevin Warren didn't see it that way. Now he's leaving the @bigten to become Bears CEO. ... He checked the two major boxes for a commissioner: new media rights deal; expanded the conference.
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@SmittySBJ
Michael Smith
3 years
College football -- "Full schedule, full stadium, full gameday experience." -- That's what one industry veteran projects for the 2021 season.
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Michael Smith
7 years
With a deal all but sealed, Byrne visited Tuscaloosa on Saturday to meet with the real boss — Saban — who gave a thumbs up on the new AD.
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Michael Smith
7 years
Florida's team of @AliciaLongworth and @rmikehill brought The Swamp to life with video projection on the court.
@SmittySBJ
Michael Smith
7 years
Did you see the technology @FloridaGators used to bring Swamp to life in the O'Dome? ($)
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Michael Smith
5 years
Big news in the executive search industry. Kyle Bowlsby @kbowlsby is opening his own firm after several years at Korn Ferry. Highly competitive business, but Bowlsby established himself at KF.
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Michael Smith
3 years
Big hire for Learfield IMG College.
@SBJ
Sports Business Journal
3 years
Veteran sports sales and marketing exec John Brody is joining @Learfield IMG College as Chief Revenue Officer. Brody will lead a “partnerships” staff of around 800, many of whom are embedded at the schools (Terry Lefton). Free to read:
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Michael Smith
9 years
ESPN urges @CFBPlayoff to move semifinals next season off New Year's Eve to Jan. 2, 2016, a Sat. w/ little TV competition. CFP holding firm.
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Michael Smith
6 years
And debuting at No. 25 ... @AppState_FB
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Michael Smith
5 years
Big deal for @FurmanPaladins and AD @Buddie52 this morning. Signed @VWSE college division under @mpalisi5 for sponsorship, media sales.
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Michael Smith
8 years
BREAKING: @Learfield sold to Michael Angelakis' Atairos Group. Deal finished up late last night.
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