Tag: Big Ten Commissioner

Big Ten officially announces new commissioner

Big Ten officially announces new commissioner

The Big Ten finally has a new commissioner. Kevin Warren moved on to become the President of the Chicago Bears and the conference hired Tony Petitti to take over.

He is the seventh Big Ten commissioner and will start on May 15. Petitti has had a long career in sports and business, having been the deputy commissioner and chief operating officer of Major League Baseball.

“At this important and transformational time in collegiate athletics, it is truly my great honor to be chosen by the Council of Presidents and Chancellors as the commissioner of the Big Ten Conference,” Petitti said in a statement from the conference.

“I am energized to work alongside the best athletics directors, coaches, conference staff and board in the country as – together – we continue to elevate the academic and athletic experiences and resources for our 14, soon-to-be 16, world-class universities with nearly 10,000 incredible student-athletes. Thank you to the extraordinary people and places that have led me to this next challenge in my career. I am ready to get to work for the Big Ten Conference community.”

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Report: Big Ten commissioner Kevin Warren is headed to the NFL

Big Ten commissioner Kevin Warren has accepted a job to become the next president and CEO of the Chicago Bears.

It was announced Thursday morning that Kevin Warren would be stepping down from his role as commissioner of the Big Ten to accept a job as the president and CEO of the NFL’s Chicago Bears.

In January 2020, Warren became the first African-American commissioner in the history of American student-sports conferences, taking over the reigns of the Big Ten. After three years in that role, the 59-year-old will now make his way over to the NFL, a league that he’s very familiar with.

Starting in 1997 as the Vice president of player programs & football legal counsel for the St. Louis Rams, Warren has 23 years of experience in the NFL, culminating in his five-year stint as Chief operating officer with the Minnesota Vikings from 2015-2019.

In Chicago, Warren will replace outgoing president and CEO Ted Phillips, who retired following the Bears’ 3-14 season in 2022. Although the team had an abysmal record, the Bears are one of the more exciting teams to watch this offseason as they possess the top selection in the upcoming 2023 NFL Draft as well as over $110 million in cap space.

On the flip side, as of right now, there’s no news out of the Big Ten for a potential successor for Warren as the new conference commissioner. With UCLA and USC set to join the Big Ten in the near future, the new commissioner will be working with the largest collection of teams in conference history.

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Bears and the Big Ten release separate statements regarding Kevin Warren

Bears and the Big Ten release separate statements regarding Kevin Warren.

The NFL and college football worlds were thrown for a loop when it was reported on Thursday by ESPN college insider Pete Thamel that Big Ten commissioner Kevin Warren is considered a finalist to be the next team president/CEO of the Chicago Bears. The Bears are searching for a replacement for Ted Phillips, who announced over the summer he will retire early in 2023 after serving as the team’s president and CEO since 1999.

Shortly after the news broke, both the Bears and the Big Ten Conference have released statements regarding the reported interest of Warren.

Twitter reacts to Kevin Warren being named a finalist for the Bears next president/CEO

NFL fans and college football fans have mixed reactions about Kevin Warren possibly becoming the next Bears president/CEO.

The Chicago Bears appear to be close to finding a replacement for team president and CEO Ted Phillips, who plans to retire in early 2023 and they’re zeroing in on Big Ten commissioner Kevin Warren.

According to ESPN college insider Pete Thamel, Warren is considered a finalist for the job and the process could be wrapped up within the next few weeks.

Warren has served as the Big Ten commissioner since 2020 and has been instrumental in expanding the conference with USC and UCLA set to join in 2024, while also spearheading a new TV deal for the conference. Warren also has been criticized for his handling of the shortened COVID-19 season in 2020 after he initially cancelled the season before bringing it back in October with a reduced schedule.

Prior to the Big Ten, Warren held various front office positions with the Minnesota Vikings, Detroit Lions, and St. Louis Rams. He’s on the shortlist to replace Phillips, who is retiring after 39 years with the organization, 23 of which were spent as team president and CEO.

The news of Warren’s potential hiring has sent shockwaves across both pro and college football. It could create a massive shift in both sports and fans have mixed reactions on the possible move.

Big Ten Commissioner Kevin Warren emerges as finalist to be Bears next President/CEO

Big Ten commissioner Kevin Warren has emerged as a finalist to become the next Bears president/CEO, according to ESPN.

The Chicago Bears have quietly been interviewing and vetting candidates to replace the retiring Ted Phillips as team president and CEO and they may be zeroing in on one particular candidate.

According to ESPN college insider Pete Thamel, Big Ten commissioner Kevin Warren has emerged as a finalist for the job. He’s already interviewed for the position with the team and the process as a whole could be completed in early 2023.

Warren has held various positions within NFL front offices prior to becoming the commissioner of the Big Ten. He’s worked with the Minnesota Vikings as their executive vice president of legal affairs and chief administrative officer from 2005-2014, as well as their chief operating officer from 2015-2019. He also held titles with the Detroit Lions and St. Louis Rams prior to that in the 1990s and 2000s.

In 2020, Warren became commissioner of the Big Ten, the first African-American to hold such a title in any of the Power Five college conferences. Warren was instrumental in bringing over USC and UCLA to the Big Ten, which is scheduled to take place in 2024. Now, Warren could be returning to the NFL as Phillips’ replacement.

Phillips is retiring after 39 years with the Bears organization. He became team president and CEO in 1999 and spearheaded initiatives such as the Soldier Field renovations in the early 2000s and the agreement to purchase Arlington Park in 2021. Phillips also played a role in the massive renovations that took place at Halas Hall in the late 2010s with former general manager Ryan Pace.

The Bears have been quiet about their process to replace Phillips, who announced over the summer of his intentions to retire in 2023. Now with Warren emerging as a finalist, things could be wrapped up fairly soon with a new leader in place.

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