UCLA Replaces Athletic Director With Former Lakers Executive

UCLA Chancellor Julio Frenk announced on Monday, August 31, 2026, that the university is replacing Athletic Director Martin Jarmond with former Los Angeles Lakers executive Tim Harris, citing the need for a new financial model amid a rapidly changing college sports landscape. Harris will serve as athletic director and CEO of the department on a pro bono basis, effective immediately. In a message to the university community, Frenk stated that UCLA Athletics currently carries a significant financial deficit and that its current path is not sustainable. He emphasized the need to build a model that protects the breadth of the program, creates new opportunities for student-athletes and coaches, and supports itself through the revenue it generates. The move comes as the university seeks to navigate the transformative landscape of college athletics, driven by Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) deals, new compensation models, and a shifting sports marketplace. Jarmond, who had served as UCLA's athletic director since 2020, was thanked by Frenk for his extraordinary service and leadership.