Braves President John Schuerholz "is stepping aside" to move into "more of an advisory role" as Vice Chair, according to a front-page piece by Tim Tucker of the ATLANTA JOURNAL-CONSTITUTION. Rather than naming one person to succeed Schuerholz, Braves Exec VP/Sales & Marketing Derek Schiller and Exec VP/Business Operations Mike Plant both will be "promoted to presidencies." Braves Chair & CEO Terry McGuirk said that Schuerholz "will continue to provide 'consultation and guidance,' serving as an adviser to Schiller and Plant on business issues" and working with Braves President of Baseball Operations John Hart "on player-personnel matters." The changes come as the Braves "prepare for their final season in Turner Field" and their '17 move to SunTrust Park. With the changes, Plant and Schiller, both of whom previously reported to Schuerholz, "will report directly to McGuirk." Hart, who also had reported to Schuerholz, "will 'dual report' to McGuirk and Schuerholz." McGuirk said that Schuerholz "is very much a part of this decision." McGuirk said that now having Hart, Plant and Schiller as presidents over specific areas "provides an executive structure that reflects the increased complexity of the team’s operations." He said, "The Atlanta Braves in 2007 were a much simpler organization. In the last five years, as we have developed the new stadium, The Battery Atlanta (the planned mixed-use complex adjacent to SunTrust Park) and all of the business activities that go along with this, it’s gotten to be a very complicated machine." Tucker notes Plant "will lead the SunTrust Park and The Battery Atlanta construction and development teams and will oversee stadium and administrative operations, special events and operations of the Braves’ minor-league clubs." Schiller will lead "ticket and corporate sponsorship sales, marketing, branding and the team’s broadcasting partnerships" (ATLANTA JOURNAL-CONSTITUTION, 3/31).
