New Maryland AD Jim Smith offers a unique blend of college and professional histories, and he has deep connections to the Big Ten.

Maryland has hired Atlanta Braves executive Jim Smith as its next athletic director, the university announced Thursday.

Atlanta Braves executive James Smith has been hired as Maryland's athletic director, the school announced Thursday. Smith, the Braves' senior vice president of business strategy for five years, takes over two months after Damon Evans left to become athletic director at SMU.