Jets Name Mike Tannenbaum General Manager

Courtesy of New York Jets

The New York Jets announced today the promotion of Mike Tannenbaum to General Manager and that Terry Bradway has agreed to remain with the Club in a consulting position. The announcements were made by New York Jets’ Chairman and CEO Woody Johnson.

“It was my decision to go in a new direction, and we have mutually agreed Terry Bradway will step down as general manager, and remain with the Jets as a consultant on player personnel and the draft,” said Johnson. “Mike Tannenbaum is right for the job because the job of General Manager has broadened, becoming more complex. Mike and Coach Eric Mangini begin a new era in Jets’ history. Theirs is a natural partnership. To take us to the next level, Mike and Eric will establish a culture of accountability that permeates the entire organization.”

“I’m humbled by this opportunity and feel fortunate that ownership has shown confidence in me to build this team both for the short and long term,” said Tannenbaum. “We are going to be accountable to our fans and ownership and we’re going to make tough decisions, not easy ones. I eagerly accept this challenge. We are going to stay convicted to our core goals and, in doing so we can accomplish everything that we set out to do.”

“I am sincerely grateful to Terry for bringing me to the New York Jets. We are very fortunate that he will remain with the organization and we can still capitalize on his vast experience,” said Head Coach Eric Mangini. “Mike Tannenbaum and I have been close friends for 11 years. I have tremendous respect for his knowledge, his leadership abilities, and his character and together we will eagerly embrace the challenge of building a championship team.”

Tannenbaum, 36, is entering his ninth season with the Jets, and since 1997, has served in a variety of administrative football management positions. Prior to his promotion, Tannenbaum most recently served as the team’s senior vice president, football operations/assistant general manager. A native of Needham, MA, Tannenbaum was previously assistant general manager/director of pro personnel from 2001-03, and the team’s director of pro player development/contract negotiations during the 2000 season.

In his previous position of senior vice president, football operations/assistant general manager, Tannenbaum oversaw the team’s pro personnel department, professional scouting, and was the lead negotiator for player contracts, as well as being responsible for the management and strategic planning of the Jets’ salary cap. He also handled financial forecasting and predicting trends of the collective bargaining agreement (CBA) as well as the collection and analysis of extensive research on player movement, and contract developments in order to ascertain market value and trends.

In 2000, Tannenbaum signed all of the Jets’ unprecedented four first round draft selections, re-signed Pro Bowl LB Mo Lewis, and restructured the contracts of CB Ray Mickens and SS Victor Green.

In 1998, Tannenbaum signed restricted free agent RB Curtis Martin to a long-term contract, which was widely considered to be one of the most innovative contracts structured under the CBA.

Tannenbaum was hired by the Jets on Feb. 2, 1997, after having served with both the New Orleans Saints in 1994 and 1996 and the Cleveland Browns in 1995 as a player personnel assistant. He worked as an intern with the Pittsfield (NY) Mets of the New York-Penn League (Class A) in 1991.

He graduated Cum Laude from Tulane Law School where he earned his certificate in sports law. He is a member of the American Bar Association, as well as their Sports and Entertainment division, and is also a member of the Sports Lawyers Association. He graduated from the University of Massachusetts with a degree in accounting and a minor in sports management. He was a 1987 graduate of Needham High School in Boston. Born in New York City, Tannenbaum and his wife, Michelle, and daughter, Ella Morgan, reside on Long Island.

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