Tampa Bay Sports Commission Appoints Lanness Robinson as New Executive Director

The Tampa Bay Sports Commission has appointed Lanness Robinson as its new executive director.

Robinson, who currently serves on the board and is a former chair of its Board of Directors, joins the sports commission team from Hillsborough County Public Schools, where he served as the director of athletics for the nation’s seventh-largest school district.

Following a comprehensive search process conducted by the board of directors, Robinson succeeds Rob Higgins in the role of executive director. Higgins was named the first CEO of athletics at the University of South Florida in September.

“It is an honor to be selected as the Tampa Sports Commission’s executive director,” said Robinson. “Tampa Bay’s standing as a premier sports destination has grown exponentially throughout the years, thanks to the sports commission and all our partners in the community and government. I’m humbled and excited to be trusted with the opportunity to lead the charge and enhance that reputation for the benefit of everyone in Hillsborough County.”

Leadership Experience

A two-time TBSC Board Chairman, Robinson has also engaged in a series of other TBSC major event committees. He has served on the 2017 College Football Playoff Tampa Bay Local Organizing Committee and Extra Yard for Teachers Committee, as well as the Super Bowl LV Host Committee and Forever 55 Advisory Committee.

“Tampa Bay has hosted some of the biggest events in sports, and the sports commission is at the heart of it all,” said Ben Milsom, chairman of the Board of Directors. “Through his service on our board and his leadership at Hillsborough County Schools’ Director of Athletics, Lanness has demonstrated a commitment to excellence and a clear vision for the future. He is the right person to guide the sports commission into its next chapter.”

“Lanness understands better than anyone how sports elevate a community,” said Jeff Adams, vice chairman of the sports commission’s board. “His experience, leadership style, and long-standing relationships across the region give him a unique ability to expand our impact and continue bringing world-class events to Tampa Bay.”

“Lanness is a proven collaborator and a tireless advocate for this region,” said Santiago C. Corrada, president and CEO of Visit Tampa Bay. “Our tourism and hospitality communities have benefited tremendously from the Sports Commission’s work, and Lanness will undoubtedly build on that momentum. “We look forward to working with him to bring even more milestone events to Tampa Bay.”

Robinson steps into the leadership role with a resume that includes involvement in five Super Bowls, four NCAA Men’s March Madness tournaments, four NCAA Women’s Final Fours, three NCAA Men’s Frozen Fours, two NCAA Women’s Volleyball Championships, major soccer events, the ACC Men’s Basketball Tournament, and 11 NCAA Division II Championships. Tampa was the first city in the southeast to host the College Football Playoff National Championship in 2017, and was recently announced as the host site again in 2029.

The Tampa Bay Sports Commission is a private, nonprofit, charitable corporation that serves the Tampa Bay area as the organization for bidding on and hosting sports and entertainment events for Hillsborough County.