By Terry Lefton, Editor-at-Large
Millsport Founder JIM MILLMAN has been hired as CEO & Exec Dir of USA Boxing. Millman said his charter would be to grow amateur boxing’s visibility and revenues. “Boxing is still one of the most visible Olympic sports and we’d like to see it on a par with track and field, swimming and gymnastics on TV,” he said. “We’ll also look to create some new events and reconnect with some of boxing’s great past champions to build a better connection with the sporting public.” Millman also said boxing could reach new segments by selling its training regimen as a fitness workout, the way some martial arts have. Millman’s appointment follows some turmoil at the NGB, which named a new board including MLS Founder ALAN ROTHENBERG last year. JOHN STAVROS has been interim director since last November. Millman will relocate to USA Boxing HQs in Colorado Springs this fall.
BACKGROUND: Millman founded Millsport in '75. The agency was wholly acquired by Omnicom in '04. It is now the sports marketing and sponsorship consulting arm of Omnicom agency The Marketing Arm. More recently, Millman was CEO of PartnerShop, a b-to-b e-commerce concern.
