Houston and Harris County leaders call for ‘new leadership’ at Sports Authority – Houston Public Media

Daisy Espinoza/Houston Public Media

City and county leaders called for a leadership change at the Houston-Harris County Sports Authority (HHCSA) ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in a press conference Friday morning, just hours before the authority’s board was set to oust CEO Janis Burke.

“Everyone involved in hosting major events and operating their franchises has come to me individually and collectively and said we need to do something about the sports authority – they are removed from their core mission,” said Houston Mayor John Whitmire.

HHCSA is charged with overseeing and financing the region’s sports venues as well as marketing and promoting events. Whitmire said Houston sports industry executives have expressed concerns about the agency’s lack of communication and needed improvements at venues.

“The owner of the Dynamo was in my office and they said: ‘We need help, the sports authority isn’t working with us, the World Cup teams want to use our stadium as a training facility, we can’t get communication going with them.’ “The athletic department is moving in the right direction,” Whitmire said.

The Houston Business Journal first reported the expected ouster of Burke, who had been in office for about two decades.

On Friday, Harris County Commissioner Adrian Garcia called for “new leadership.”

“At this very important time, it’s time for some new voices,” Garcia said. “I appreciate the outgoing CEO for her service, but with the World Cup fast approaching and the city and county soon to appear on the world stage, it has never been more important for us together to get it right.”

The move comes after a shakeup took place on the HHCSA board. On Wednesday, Houston City Council agreed with Whitmire’s recommendation Christopher Newport and John Arnold to be appointed to the board.

Newport and Arnold did not speak at the press conference. But other board members, whom Whitmire introduced as those “who support this move,” also spoke about the upcoming FIFA World Cup games in Houston.

“With the support of (the city and county), we will continue to prioritize transparency, growth and innovation in every project and initiative,” said HHCSA Board Member Linda Morales.

Board member Martye Kendrick said she was “excited about the direction and future of this organization.”

The HHCSA Board will do it finalize the decision at a board meeting Friday afternoon. HHSCA declined to comment.