Newz Forum: FOOTBALL: Smart move? Patriots VP to teach at Harvard

Longtime New England Patriots vice president Andy Wasynczuk is leaving the team to join the faculty at Harvard Business School.

As senior vice president and chief operating officer for the past 11 seasons, Wasynczuk has presided over the Patriots' business operations. Those duties included negotiating player contracts and, more significantly in recent years, assuming a primary role in the planning and construction of Gillette Stadium.

It is believed that Wasynczuk, who will continue as a consultant to Patriots owner Bob Kraft and his family, will become the first sports executive to serve on the faculty at the Harvard Business School.

"Andy is a very special person," Kraft said in a statement released by the Patriots. "Long ago, he earned the respect and admiration of my family. We are grateful for his contributions to our success, both on and off the field. Over the years, I have valued his analytical skills, sound judgment and his commitment to both the organization and to my family."

Originally hired by the Kraft family in 1989 as the chief operating officer at Foxboro Stadium, his responsibilities expanded when the family purchased the Patriots franchise in 1994. At the outset, Wasynczuk was heavily involved in the football operation, as he handled the majority of contract negotiations and managed the salary cap, but his efforts in recent years focused on the business side of the Patriots organization.

Before joining the Kraft businesses, Wasynczuk was a consultant at Bain & Company, a Boston-based firm where he developed marketing strategies and business plan for many international corporations. It was during his tenure with Bain & Company that he met Jonathan Kraft and forged a friendship with the son of the Patriots owner.

Wasynczuk earned a bachelor's degree and a master's in electrical engineering from Case Western Reserve. He subsequently added a master's degree in business administration from Harvard Business School.

In his new role, Wasynczuk will be a senior lecturer at Harvard Business School and will teach a required MBA course in negotiations.

source

ESPN