Team Ownership

The Athens Sports Entertainment ownership team brings a wealth of experience across sports management, broadcasting, corporate partnerships, and community outreach, with a proven track record of successfully operating professional sports teams throughout the Southeast. In addition, the team’s well-known sports personalities will leverage their media reach and credibility to build excitement, strengthen community connections, and foster a strong sense of local pride.

Jerome Bettis

Jerome Bettis, widely known as “The Bus,” is one of the most accomplished running backs in National Football League history. A standout at the University of Notre Dame, Bettis was selected in the first round of the 1993 NFL Draft by the Los Angeles Rams, where he made an immediate impact by rushing for over 1,400 yards and earning NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year honors.

Bettis joined the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1996, becoming the centerpiece of their offense for more than a decade. Known for his powerful running style, durability, and consistency, he rushed for over 13,000 career yards, currently ranking him 8th among all-time leading rushers in NFL history. A six-time Pro Bowl selection, the defining moment of his career came in his final season, when he helped lead Pittsburgh to victory in Super Bowl XL, winning the championship in his hometown of Detroit before retiring from the game in 2006.

Following his playing career, Bettis transitioned into broadcasting and business, becoming a respected football analyst and entrepreneur. He established the Jerome Bettis Bus Stops Here Foundation in 1997, which offers inner-city youth opportunities and resources to build a better future. Currently an Atlanta area resident, he was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2015.

Brian Jordan

Brian Jordan is one of the rare athletes to successfully compete at a high level in both the National Football League and Major League Baseball. A standout two-sport star at the University of Richmond, Jordan excelled as both a safety in football and an outfielder in baseball before turning professional in both sports.

Jordan began his pro career in the NFL in 1989, playing safety for the Atlanta Falcons, where he became known for his physical play and leadership in the secondary. After three productive seasons in football, he made the rare decision to fully commit to baseball, transitioning to a full-time career in Major League Baseball in 1992.

On the diamond, Jordan enjoyed a 15-year career, most notably with the St. Louis Cardinals and the Atlanta Braves. Known for his power, athleticism, and defensive ability, he hit over 180 home runs and drove in more than 800 runs during his All-Star career. He was also a key member of multiple postseason teams, including the Braves during their run of division titles.

After retiring as a player, Jordan transitioned into broadcasting, becoming a respected baseball analyst and commentator. He is also a best-selling children’s book author, as his Brian Jordan Foundation helps young people reach their full potential through literacy.

David Pollack

David Pollack is one of the most decorated defensive players in University of Georgia history, following in the footsteps of fellow legend Herschel Walker as a three-time First-Team All-American. A dominant force in the SEC, Pollack won multiple national awards - including the Ted Hendricks Award twice - and set a school record with 36 career sacks. He led Georgia to three straight top-10 finishes, highlighted by a 13–1 season and Sugar Bowl victory in 2002, and was later inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2020.

Selected in the first round of the 2005 NFL Draft by the Cincinnati Bengals, Pollack’s professional career was cut short due to a neck injury. He quickly transitioned into broadcasting, joining ESPN in 2009 and becoming a longtime analyst on College GameDay.

Off the field, the Athens area resident is a motivational speaker and co-founder of the Pollack Family Foundation, which focuses on faith, family, and community.

Mike Sammond

Mike Sammond is a seasoned sports executive and award-winning broadcaster with extensive experience across professional, collegiate, and international sports. He has held leadership roles with multiple franchises, including Minority Owner, President, and CEO of the Columbus Wardogs (arenafootball2); President of the Montgomery Maulers (National Indoor Football League); and Vice President of Business Operations for the Birmingham Steeldogs (arenafootball2) and Birmingham Bulls (East Coast Hockey League). He has also driven corporate sponsorship and broadcasting initiatives for the Georgia Force (Arena Football League) and Atlanta Knights (International Hockey League).

On the broadcasting side, Sammond has been a Sports Anchor at CNN Headline News, Sports Director at WRBL-TV in Columbus, GA, and a sports talk host and reporter for Sports Radio 92.9 The Game in Atlanta and WRFC Radio in Athens. His play-by-play experience spans professional and collegiate baseball, football, basketball, and hockey.

Internationally, he has served as an announcer for Olympic Broadcasting Services and Olympic Channel News, covering the Summer and Winter Olympic Games from Vancouver 2010 through Paris 2024, as well as providing play-by-play for the 2015 European Games and 2023 Pan American Games.