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Sports Authority Chief Resigns

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By CHRISTIAN M. WADE

cwade@tampatrib.com

Published: March 17, 2009

TAMPA - Henry Saavedra didn't wait for the Tampa Sports Authority to fire him.

Instead, the longtime executive director offered his resignation to the sports authority's 11-member board of directors, which was expected to vote on a motion from Chair Vincent Marchetti to terminate his contract. His last day as director will be April 1.

With little discussion, the board voted 6-5 to accept his offer to step down.

Under the terms of his resignation, Saavedra will get $171,871, including 26 weeks of severance pay, accrued vacation and sick time, and deferred compensation. He has been with the authority for 24 years, 12 as director. He is paid $205,000 a year.

For months, Saavedra had been under fire from Marchetti for what he and several other board members claim was his failure to inform them about litigation, possible investment losses and other issues.

"I like Henry personally," Marchetti said at Monday night's board meeting. "I just don't think he's the right person for the job anymore."

The TSA manages Raymond James Stadium and three city golf courses, and the board is made up of appointees from the city and county and one appointed by the governor.

Saavedra's supporters, who include several members of the board, said the move to oust him smacked of "backroom politics" by county appointees, including Hillsborough County Commissioner Jim Norman, who want to exert more control over the sports authority.

"This is a blatant political power move," said Ed Erickson, a Tampa businessman who spoke in support of keeping Saavedra.
Mayor Pam Iorio dispatched the city's neighborhood services coordinator, Santiago Corrada, to voice her support for Saavedra and concerns about the proceedings.

Bob Buckhorn, a TSA board member and former Tampa City councilman, called the move by Marchetti a "back-alley mugging" by county appointed board members.

Board member Kalyn Brandewie agreed with those sentiments.

"There are members of this board that treat this like their private fiefdom," she said.

Mickey Farrell, the TSA's current director of operations, was hired by the board to serve as interim director. The board plans to hire an outside firm to search for a new director.

After the board voted on his resignation, Saavedra got up from his seat and walked out.

Several supporters in the audience gave him a round of applause.

Reporter Christian M. Wade can be reached at (813) 259-7679

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