John Payne

Title: Director - Competition

John Payne rejoined the Conference in June 2019 as Staff Accountant after previously serving as a championships assistant. He joined the competition staff as Associate Director - Competition in September 2022 and was promoted to Director - Competition in July 2025.

He spent two years in the Southland Conference office after he was hired as Assistant Director of Financial Operations in August of 2016. He was promoted to Director of Business Operations in June 2017 and also had oversight of the sport of tennis.  

Prior to the Big 12, Payne served as a banking officer at Texas Capital Bank from 2012-14, a credit analyst at Texas Brand Bank from 2010-2012 and a leasing intern for Trademark Property Company from 2008-2010.

Payne earned a master’s of business administration – sports business from San Diego State University in June 2016, and he received his B.A. in business administration at Texas Christian University in 2009. He currently resides in Dallas with his wife and three children.