Recognizing Sports Business Journal’s Smith

Abe Madkour, publisher and executive editor of the Sports Business Journal, writes about longtime SBJ college sports business reporter Michael Smith.

Madkour writes, “For nearly 20 years, Smith was out front in chronicling the business opportunities and challenges facing the collegiate landscape and did so with great integrity and honesty. Smith created a coverage area that is now filled with talented reporters and is one of the most competitive beats in sports business.

“On this special night, Sutton brought together so many dignitaries, who shared in their respect and appreciation for Smith, who stepped away from SBJ in 2024 to focus on his health and his battle with Parkinson’s disease. He was joined by his wife, Lisa, and son, Colson, and he looked great and his spirits were high. He recently was an assistant basketball coach for a team that went undefeated in the regular season, and he told me he’s good at taking naps and playing with his dogs. I was joined by a number of colleagues and we all remarked how lucky we were to have Smitty as a teammate and colleague for so many years.

“He made us so much better, and we learned so much from watching and working with him. He was steady, calm and unflappable; he was dependable and trustworthy. If he said it, he’d do it and do it right. Curiosity, a trait of all great reporters was at his core. His sneaky, quick dry wit would make you laugh out loud when you needed it the most. He had unbelievable talent with words and crafting a story and he did it all with such grace and humility.”

Read more here.