Harvey Schiller steps down from America’s Cup role

SAN DIEGO (AP) — Harvey Schiller has stepped down as commercial commissioner of the America’s Cup.

Will Chignell, the chief marketing and communications officer with the America’s Cup Event Authority said that it was Schiller’s decision to leave.

Schiller has held the position for two years. His last day was Aug. 31.

It’s not known if Schiller’s departure is related to a case Emirates Team New Zealand brought against America’s Cup Event Authority before an arbitration panel.

It’s believed the arbitration panel recently heard the case brought by the Kiwis after the America’s Cup Event Authority pulled a qualifying regatta that had been planned for Auckland next year. In March 2015, Schiller notified Team New Zealand it was losing the qualifier in part because it had supported another syndicate in a dispute over Coutts’ plan to downsize the boats that will be used in the 2017 America’s Cup in Bermuda.

A former executive director of the U.S. Olympic Committee, Schiller was hired to supervise, manage and protect the commercial interests of the America’s Cup. Among his duties was to secure international broadcast agreements. Under his watch, some traditional sponsors, such as Louis Vuitton, returned after being turned off by the 2013 regatta.

Schiller formerly served as president of Turner Sports Inc., a division of Time Warner, and chairman and CEO of YankeeNets, an integrated sports-based media company with ownership of the New York Yankees, New York Nets, and New Jersey Devils.

A pilot in the U.S. Air Force from 1962 to 1986, including combat service in Vietnam, Schiller attained the rank of Brigadier General.

One thought on “Harvey Schiller steps down from America’s Cup role

  • September 19, 2016 at 11:44 am
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    pretty sure the ‘other syndicate’ was the team that was forced to withdraw from ac35 because to the rule change.

    Reply

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