SMG Senior Vice President, Doug Tornton has been chosen by the Times-Picayune as the 3rd most powerful/influential person on the south Louisiana sports scene.
The list was selected using a formula that included evaluating a person's capability to effect significant change -- or to prevent significant change -- on sports. Also considered was how the individuals rated versus their peers; how much money they control, generate, or influence; how long people have exercised power; and their long-term impact on a sport or the larger world of sports.Here is what they had to say:
3. Doug Thornton, SMG V.P.
On the surface, Thornton's role seems pretty simple -- manage the Superdome and the adjacent New Orleans Arena, home of the Saints and the Hornets. But since joining SMG in 1997, Thornton, who oversees seven separate municipal accounts in the Gulf Coast area, has become a vital cog in the Louisiana sports landscape.
He was the chief negotiator on behalf of the state in signing lease agreements with the Saints and the Hornets. Both deals appear to be win-win deals for both sides. And he was largely responsible for getting both venues operating after Katrina.
"This has to be one of the greatest comeback stories in American Sports history," Thornton said. "Never before has a city had to face such a broad range of challenges with its market and sports infrastructure. I think what makes this story so compelling is the way our community has rebounded and dealt with those challenges."
SMG offers congratulations to Doug Thornton and the whole SMG team in Louisiana for this achievement.
