James Kahler Position: Executive Director - SAFM

School of Recreation and Sport Sciences
Executive Director - SAFM/Center for Sports Administration
Sports Administration

Office: Grover Center E118
Phone: (740) 593-4666
Email: kahler@ohio.edu

Jim Kahler is the Executive Director of the Center of Sports Administration at Ohio University. He accepted the position in December of 2005 and oversees the day-to-day operation of the Center that carries forward the university's pioneering tradition in sports management education. The Center links faculty, students and alumni to sports-related organizations and businesses, emphasizing research and harnessing knowledge to benefit the industry.

Prior to returning to Ohio University, where Kahler was a member of the MSA Class of 1981, he spent the previous three and one-half years at Arizona State University were he helped develop the MBA Sports Business Program at the W.P. Carey School of Business. From November of 1991 until July of 2002, Jim served as the Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing for the Cleveland Cavaliers (NBA) and Rockers (WNBA). In this position he was responsible for ticket, corporate and broadcast sales, as well as marketing and public relations for the Cavaliers / Gund Arena Company. During these years his responsibilities included the development of MAC Properties and Gund Sports Marketing, two subsidiaries of the organization that focus on collegiate sports marketing and sponsorship sales for the Mid-American Conference, Miami University and Bowling Green State University.

Jim accepted his position with the Cavaliers after working as the Director of Marketing for the Riverfront Coliseum in Cincinnati, the Director of Marketing for the St. Louis Arena, and as Vice President of Sales and Marketing for SRO/PACE in Chicago.

Among Kahler's other accomplishments include the 1994 Distinguished Alumnus Award from the O.U. Sports Administration Program. He also served a three-year term (1997 - 2000) on the NBA's Marketing Advisory Committee. He currently serves on the Advisory Board for a number of sports business organizations including the National Sports Forum (San Diego, CA) and In Stadium Advertising (Chicago, IL).