Cincinnati Open Names Jeff Smith as Tournament’s First Chief Revenue Officer

The Cincinnati Open has announced veteran sports business executive Jeff Smith as the organization’s first Chief Revenue Officer. Smith will lead the tournament’s revenue strategy across ticketing, corporate partnerships and commercial planning as the Cincinnati Open continues its long-term growth.

“As the Cincinnati Open enters its next phase, we’re investing in the people and strategy needed to build long-term value for our fans, partners and the region. Jeff is a proven leader with deep experience growing major sports properties and we’re glad to welcome him to our team,” said Bob Moran, Tournament Director for the Cincinnati Open.

“The Cincinnati Open has incredible momentum coming out of 2025 and I’m honored to join the organization at such an exciting time,” said Smith. “I look forward to working alongside the tournament staff and our partners to build for the future and help elevate the event’s impact on the global stage.”

Smith brings 30 years of experience across professional and collegiate athletics, most recently serving as Chief Revenue Officer at FC Cincinnati. In that role, he oversaw more than $65 million in annual revenue, led a 30-person commercial team and delivered record-setting 95–98 percent ticket renewal rates across multiple seasons.

One of FC Cincinnati’s earliest executives, Smith played a pivotal role in the club’s entry into Major League Soccer and the successful launch of TQL Stadium, a $250 million state-of-the-art venue.

Prior to FC Cincinnati, Smith held senior leadership roles at the University of Cincinnati Department of Athletics where he guided donor engagement, fundraising and premium seating strategies, supporting more than $150 million in capital projects. Those efforts included the $86 million Nippert Stadium expansion and $70 million Fifth Third Arena renovation.

The addition of Smith and the creation of the Chief Revenue Officer role are the next steps in the tournament’s growth following the Cincinnati Open’s record-breaking 2025 event, which attracted 285,571 attendees across 14 days following its recently completed $260 million campus transformation. The tournament earned both ATP and WTA 1000 Tournament of the Year recognition for the first time in the event’s history.

The 2026 Cincinnati Open will be held August 11-23 and will mark the return of Sunday finals. Fans can register now for the ticket pre-sale here. Pre-sale registrants will receive 24-hour early access to purchase ticket packages in January or single session tickets in March.

The Cincinnati Open is proudly supported by its cornerstone partners: Western & Southern Financial Group, Credit One Bank, Procter & Gamble, Great American Insurance Company, Fifth Third and Kroger.