Philadelphia Eagles replace team president Joe Banner
The Philadelphia Eagles have replaced longtime team president Joe Banner, a move that underscores Banner’s waning influence in recent months.
In March, the Times reported Coach Andy Reid had threatened to quit if he didn’t get more personnel control. That was more in reference to how the team spent its money, rather than which players were on the roster. The Eagles adamantly denied that report.
Banner, who had been the right-hand man of Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie since the team was purchased in 1994, will be succeeded as president by Chief Operating Officer Don Smokenski. General Manager Howie Roseman will oversee the salary cap and contract negotiations. Banner has been appointed a strategic adviser to Lurie.
In a statement released Thursday by the Eagles, Lurie said: “There is no better executive than Joe Banner. We are making this announcement today because he is looking for a greater challenge, and in Don Smolenski, I have a highly regarded, very worthy successor as president of this team.”
Banner, 59, told the Philadelphia Inquirer he hoped to “get involved with the world of buying and selling a sports team with the possibility of becoming part of a group that buys a team.”
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