"The NTRA has come a long way since 1998, thanks to the collaboration and persistence of many different entities and individuals," said Smith. "I am grateful to all of them, and confident that, with sustained support for a true national office, still more progress for the industry lies ahead."
The Board named NTRA Vice Chairman and Breeders' Cup, Ltd President D.G. Van Clief, Jr., Acting Commissioner and CEO and promoted Deputy Commissioner and Chief Operating Officer Greg Avioli to President/COO of the NTRA. The board will begin a search for permanent replacement for Smith in the fall.
"On behalf of NTRA and Breeders' Cup, we wish Tim the best and thank him for his more than six years of service," said Van Clief. "Tim is leaving the NTRA and the sport of horseracing stronger and better equipped to compete in today's sports and entertainment market than when he started. We know that he will be successful in his next venture and look forward to his continued input and expertise."
"While Tim will be missed, the NTRA has an experienced team in place to continue to build on the foundation established over the last six years, especially in the key areas of television, sponsorship, marketing, technology, security, integrity and legislative programs. We are in a strong position to maximize the value of our collective properties and commercial rights."
Van Clief was named Founding Chairman of the NTRA and served as its interim chief executive officer until April, 1998, when Smith was appointed. On January 1, 2001, when Breeders' Cup Ltd. and NTRA merged their business operations, Van Clief assumed the title of NTRA Vice Chairman in addition to his duties as Breeders' Cup President, He has been with the Breeders' Cup since its inception in 1982. Van Clief received the Eclipse Award of Merit in 1998 for his years of service to Thoroughbred racing.
Avioli joined the NTRA as Deputy Commissioner in 1998 after working with Smith on the formation of the organization. He has run the business operations of the combined NTRA/Breeders' Cup for the last three years and headed industry task forces on security, wagering systems and handle trends. Avioli was instrumental in the formation and operation of NTRA subsidiaries NTRA Investments, NTRA Productions and NTRA Purchasing. In addition, he has emerged as horseracing's point person in Washington, D.C. while overseeing the NTRA's expanded legislative and political action initiatives.
Smith's tenure has coincided with increases in public interest in horseracing over each of the last five years and rising television ratings. Under Smith's stewardship, the NTRA emerged as Thoroughbred racing's leading national organization, increasing the sport's exposure on network and national cable television, growing national sponsorship, launching several successful national marketing, advertising and promotional programs, and expanding and coordinating the horseracing industry's legislative and lobbying initiatives.
The NTRA has also taken the lead for the pari-mutuel wagering industry on complex issues such as medication and drug testing and electronic wagering systems and security. The organization was lauded widely for its effective and rapid response in the aftermath of the attempted fraud of the Breeders' Cup Pick 6 in 2002.
Before joining the NTRA as its first chief executive, Smith was instrumental in bringing together several leading Thoroughbred ownership and breeding organizations and top racetracks to form the association, including helping form the National Thoroughbred Association, a precursor to the NTRA. A lawyer by training, Smith served as Deputy Commissioner and Chief Operating Officer of the PGA TOUR in the 1980s. As a consultant, he prepared the initial marketing and television plans for the Atlanta Olympic Games in 1996. Prior to his sports-related positions, Smith served in government, including assignments in the White House and U.S. Department of Justice during the Carter administration.
Just over a week ago, NTRA and the New York Racing Association (NYRA) confirmed that NTRA Commissioner Tim Smith had recently discussed with New York racing leaders the possibility of becoming the President and CEO of NYRA. There has been no word whether this will be Smith's new venture yet.
