Tag: Kevin Warren

Sean Clifford taking lead in Big Ten to improve medical benefits for players

Sean Clifford leading discussions with Big Ten to provide enhanced medical coverage for student-athletes

Penn State quarterback [autotag]Sean Clifford[/autotag] isn’t just a leader on the field and within the Nittany Lions football program. He is also a leader off the field as the sport of college football continues to evolve with more opportunities for student-athletes than ever before.

Clifford has engaged in conversations with Big Ten commissioner [autotag]Kevin Warren[/autotag] in an effort to help give players around the Big Ten an opportunity to engage in discussions regarding decisions being made by the Big Ten. Warren described the discussions in a memo as “the process of formalizing the Big Ten Student-Athlete Advisory Committee” as the landscape of the Big Ten and collegiate athletics continues to evolve.

It has been stressed that is organizational effort is not a union but a collaboration between the Big Ten and its student-athletes. Clifford did note in his own statement posted on his Twitter account he thought ideas recently presented by the College Football Players Association were “interesting ideas,” but Clifford distanced himself from representing any union effort in helping to create a dialogue with Warren and the Big Ten offices.

“I am grateful to be a part of a team, university and conference where our leadership is truly open to listening and learning from its students to further strengthen and safeguard our academic and competitive experiences, ” Clifford said in a released statement.

Clifford reportedly is interested in helping the Big Ten to create standardized medical care for student-athletes during and after their playing careers. And considering how much revenue the Big Ten continues to rake in through media rights deals, and how much is reportedly going to be coming in with a new rights deal that includes the expansion into California with USC and UCLA, it makes sense for the Big Ten to be able to fund such a collaborative effort in the future.

It should come as no surprise Clifford is being seen as the face of this effort. As the age of NIL was ushered in, Clifford started his own NIL group focused on educating his peers on how to wisely go about exploring NIL opportunities rather than getting caught making poor and ill-advised decisions for a quick buck. Clifford is also widely respected around the Big Ten, as evidenced by some of the postgame comments from Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh last season.

We’ll see if this comes up during Big Ten media days in the coming week.

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Big Ten officially announces additions of USC and UCLA

It’s official, the Big Ten will welcome USC and UCLA to the conference in all sports in 2024.

Things seemed to move very swiftly on Thursday as the Big Ten once again decided on expanding the conference’s membership. And this time, the Big Ten is going west to take two iconic programs from the Pac-12. The Big Ten announced on Thursday evening it has voted to accept applications for membership from USC and UCLA. The two west coast schools will join the Big Ten in all sports beginning with the 2024-25 academic year.

“As the national leader in academics and athletics for over 126 years, the Big Ten Conference has historically evaluated its membership with the collective goal to forward the academic and athletic mission for student-athletes under the umbrella of higher education,” Big Ten commissioner Kevin Warren said in a released statement on Thursday evening. “The unanimous vote [Thursday] signifies the deep respect and welcoming culture our entire conference has for the University of Southern California, under the leadership of President Carol Folt, and the University of California, Los Angeles, under the leadership of Chancellor Gene Block.”

The addition of USC and UCLA will bring the Big Ten’s membership to 16 full-time members in 2024, although it remains to be seen if the Trojans and Bruins will be coming alone. Conference realignment rumors will continue to be flying hot every which way you look as the Pac-12 attempts to figure out its future and other conference members could explore their best options available. Oregon and Washington joining USC and UCLA in the Big Ten is not nearly a far-fetched idea anymore as it once could have been. Notre Dame is another school that will be in the spotlight as the ACC looks to avoid suffering a similar fate now seen in the Big 12 (Oklahoma and Texas to the SEC) and the Pac-12.

The expansion to the west coast is clearly driven by the Los Angeles television market opportunities for the Big Ten. With a new media rights deal in the works, the Big Ten now has a vested interest in the four largest television markets in the country with New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, and Philadelphia. Washignton D.C. is the nation’s seventh-largest market. To prove this is a real priority, Apple has reportedly reignited interest in negotiating with the Big Ten to be a part of the media strategy in a new rights package.

There will be much to digest in this news as we also wait to learn what could possibly come next. But with USC and UCLA joining the Big Ten, it is evident that nothing can ever be considered off the table.

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Big Ten working on massive media deal that could approach one billion dollars

The Big Ten is close to making significant waves in its next media rights deal. #B1G

Somewhat quietly, Big Ten commissioner Kevin Warren and the Big Ten offices have been working on a media deal that could have eye-popping numbers. According to ESPN’s Adam Rittenberg, Warren is optimistic that the deal could get done in the next 30 days and has been in discussions with Fox, CBS, NBC, ESPN, TNT, and streaming services Amazon and Apple.

Even more than that, according to CBS Sports’ Dennis Dodd, the deal could be somewhere in the neighborhood of 1 billion and have the framework in place around Memorial Day. And while that sounds optimistic, there are reasons to believe that the deal could be a massive one with nearly one-quarter of the nation’s population in the Big Ten’s footprint.

The main issues at hand right now according to the CBS report is deciding whether to give Fox all its rights, split those rights as they presently do with ESPN, or take a different road like finding a partner besides ESPN or even attempt to expand even further.

A billion-dollar deal would be massive and account for roughly $71 million per school. If it does play out and come to fruition, that would be a record deal and set the course for future media rights deals among the other power five conferences.

We’ll obviously stay on top of all of this when more news becomes available.

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WATCH: Big Ten Commissioner Kevin Warren on new conference tournament sites

Big Ten Commissioner Kevin Warren on how Minneapolis was selected as a new basketball conference tournament site:

Earlier this week, the Big Ten announced site selections for upcoming conference tournaments in both men’s and women’s basketball, as well as football championship games.

Big Ten Commissioner Kevin Warren appeared on the Big Ten Network to discuss the selection of Minneapolis as a new site for upcoming Big Ten men’s and women’s basketball tournaments, while also touching on the men’s tournament returning to Chicago.

Last week, the Big Ten announced sites for the next few years and Minneapolis was the lone new city to host a conference tournament. The 2023 women’s basketball tournament will be held in Minnesota, while the 2024 men’s basketball tournament will move to the Twin Cities.

ACC not alone in current hesitation to expand College Football Playoff

Much has been discussed and written about Jim Phillips’ recent public comments that made clear his conference’s current stance on the expansion of the College Football Playoff, but the ACC commissioner isn’t the only one holding it up for the time …

Much has been discussed and written about Jim Phillips’ recent public comments that made clear his conference’s current stance on the expansion of the College Football Playoff, but the ACC commissioner isn’t the only one holding it up for the time being.

Phillips was adamant with his opinion last week during a conference call with media members that now is “not the right time” to increase the number of teams participating in the CFP from four to eight, 12 or any other alternate format. Phillips’ hesitation stems from his belief that there’s no need to rush into expansion when there are more pressing issues that need to be evaluated and addressed first.

Those include the impact on the current bowl structure as well as the transfer portal and name, image and likeness (NIL) that’s shifting the landscape of college athletics. But perhaps the biggest concern Phillips has is the health and well-being of the student-athletes, who, for those who are participating in the CFP, are already playing as many as 15 games in a season.

In a recent appearance on the Packer and Durham Show, ESPN reporter Andrea Adelson, who covers the ACC for the network, said Phillips has company in that regard.

“The player safety issue is one that absolutely must be addressed, and Jim is not alone in that room on that topic,” Adelson said. “I can tell you that I had conversations with Big Ten Commissioner Kevin Warren last week in Indianapolis, and he essentially echoed a lot of what Jim said, just not as forcefully as Jim did. He said, ‘Look, we have to be deliberate in our discussions, and the health and safety of the players have to come first.’

“It’s Jim and Kevin Warren who are sitting here saying, ‘Well, what about the players?’ while the other ones want to just put the pedal to the metal, full throttle ahead, and say let’s go with 12 (teams) without thinking about what do our players want and care about? And I think that’s a disservice to the players quite honestly because those players should have a seat in the room during these discussions.”

A CFP subcommittee, which included commissioners Greg Sankey (SEC), Bob Bowlsby (Big 12) and Craig Thompson (Mountain West), proposed a 12-team model over the summer, but the CFP’s contract with ESPN, its lone broadcast partner, runs through 2026. There has to be a consensus among the 10 Football Bowl Subdivision commissioners to expand the playoff before then. If not, expansion would have to wait until the end of the current television deal.

Essentially, Adelson said, it’s the ACC and Big Ten against everybody else.

“I think the Pac-12 is aligned with them in some respects, but you look at the statement their commissioner put out last week, and it essentially says we’re up for any expanded model because they know they need expansion in order to help their conference get into the playoff,” Adelson said. “The SEC and Big 12 are aligned. Greg Sankey and Bob Bowlsby, they were in the room coming up with this (12-team) format. So was Mountain West Commissioner Criag Thompson and Notre Dame athletic director Jack Swarbrick.

“Kevin Warren told me, ‘Look, we’re making a decision that’s going to affect this game for years down the line. We can’t rush into it. We can’t sit here and say it has to be done right this second.’ And I asked him, ‘Do you feel a sense of urgency to get something done right now? Are you frustrated with the process?’ And he’s like, ‘I’m never frustrated, and I don’t really feel a sense of urgency right now because there are questions my conference wants answered just like there are questions the ACC wants answered.’”

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Big Ten reportedly not keenly interested in expansion at this point

So, apparently, the Big Ten is not sold on expansion for the sake of keeping up. Do you feel the conference has to do SOMETHING to match the SEC?

Before we get into the latest, we must remind everyone that what’s happening in college football with Texas and Oklahoma looking to leave behind the Big 12 for the SEC is an ever-evolving situation. It could result in all kinds of dominoes falling across the entire college football landscape, or it could just end up being two all-timer programs making the SEC that much better.

Because of that, we’ve had various reports and speculation about the Big Ten looking towards expansion to keep up and position itself in a good business and competitive model with the SEC. I mean, one has to think that the conference will do something to make a splash, and not just let two blue-bloods of the sport join forces with Darth Vader right?

Maybe not. According to Dan Wetzel of Yahoo Sports, his sources indicate there is little interest in bringing on a new team in the Big Ten just to do it. Instead, there has apparently been talk of putting together some sort of scheduling agreement with the Pac-12.

This may result in some raising of the eyebrows to many, and you can understand why. The SEC is the best conference on the field, but has yet to catch the Big Ten in total revenue. With Texas and Oklahoma poised to come into the league, that stands to potentially change.

Will the Big Ten really sit on the sidelines?

I have little doubt that none of the teams in the Big Ten will look to move conferences. It’s too stable and too lucrative to do so. However, you have to believe if the right fit were there, the Big Ten would have to listen to bringing teams onboard. Unfortunately, if the conference is still standing firm on only considering schools that are AAU members, that puts a limit on programs that could bring in more revenue for the conference.

There just aren’t that many options that have the combination of reach, revenue, AAU membership, and success that would fit the model the Big Ten seemingly wants to go after. Texas would have been a nice marriage for the brand, but that seems to be off the table.

Maybe all this will end up being is two teams leaving one conference and joining another, but we’ll see. Money has a way of making people change their minds. And if there is a competitive bone in Big Ten commissioner Kevin Warren’s body, there’s no way he wants to have the conference lose that standing as the biggest money-maker.

We shall see.

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HOW TO WATCH: Ohio State football’s turn at Big Ten media days

I mean, he’s got a shot to win this thing right?

Well, Big Ten media days began on Thursday and we’ve already been given some entertaining comments from Michigan’s Jim Harbaugh and some eye-rolling moments from Big Ten commissioner, Kevin Warren.

On Friday, we’ll get to hear from the Ohio State contingency of head coach Ryan Day, defensive end Zach Harrison, offensive lineman Thayer Munford, and tight-end Jeremy Rucker. Things will kick off with Coach Day around 12:30 p.m. and then again from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. The players will be available from 1:15 to 2:15 p.m. in another media session.

The event is taking place in Indianapolis rather than Chicago where the Big Ten headquarters are located. Indiana’s COVID-19 restrictions are not as strict as Illinois which was the cause for the move.

Day two will begin at 10:15 a.m. with more comments from commissioner Kevin Warren, followed by the Buckeye’s season-opening opponent, Minnesota head coach, P.J. Fleck.

If you want to catch the questions and how the players and coaches answer, you can find all the information below.

How to Watch:

Date: Friday, July 23

Time: 12:30 p.m. EDT

TV: Big Ten Network

Stream: FOX Sports App

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Big Ten plans to begin rotating football championship game between cities

How do you feel about the potential of the Big Ten football championship game rotating to different venues and cities, and moving away from Indy yearly?

Apparently, you can, indeed, have too much of a good thing.

The Big Ten football championship game has been held at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana, since its inception in 2011. With Indy being centrally located and well-versed at hosting large-scale events, it seemed like the perfect fit. And, honestly, it has been.

Talk to anyone that’s been to Indianapolis for the Big Ten championship game or the conference basketball tournament and all you hear are good things. I, too, have been, and the layout of everything is about as media and travel-friendly as can be. The walkability, hotel space and places to eat are about as good as it gets.

However, according to Big Ten commissioner Kevin Warren, that will be changing soon. When speaking to NJ.com (subscription may be required) at Big Ten media days on Thursday, Warren said the conference plans to rotate the game in the future, including potentially utilizing MetLife Stadium, the home of the Giants and Jets in New Jersey.

“We’re going to sit down and figure out the best way to rotate it, probably take out a (request for proposal) for basketball and football,” Warren said. “I’m open to any location our fans will travel to and enjoy in our footprint, anywhere from Nebraska to New Jersey.”

Now, I’ll be the first to admit that I always thought this would be a cool idea, too. It would be nice to have the game move around, but there are some logistical issues to be aware of. The setting in Indy has become a fan favorite and a rather festive atmosphere, much like Atlanta is for the SEC Championship game.

So far, the reception to this idea has not been great for fans, but we say it could be a neat experience to travel to a new site and soak in some new settings and culture.

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Will the Big Ten rotate sites for its football championship game?

The Big Ten championship game outside of Indy makes as much sense as divisions named ‘Legends” and ‘Leaders’

On Thursday the Big Ten held its annual football media day event on the field of Lucas Oil Stadium. The change of location from Chicago was appropriate given the stadium’s recent history as the home of the Big Ten football championship game, one it has hosted since 2011. But it turns out, Big Ten commissioner Kevin Warren took to the podium on the playing field of Big Ten champions (and the Indianapolis Colts) to suggest the conference was thinking about potentially moving the game.

And not just moving to a new permanent home, but rotating the game between cities throughout the Big Ten’s footprint.

In a word; pointless.

On the surface, it makes sense for the Big Ten to want to explore other potential homes for its conference championship game. There are plenty of worthy options to consider that would easily be able to accommodate such a game with NFL cities all over the Big Ten’s landscape. A Big Ten championship game in the Meadowlands? How about in Detroit? Or Minneapolis? Who wouldn’t love the possible scenery of a Big Ten championship game on the field of Soldier Field?

Or, and here’s a thought, maybe just keep the darn game in Indianapolis. It just makes too much sense, so of course the big Ten would explore a possible path to ruining what it has in front of them.

Indianapolis is a terrific host city for these types of events, as I have seen from those who regularly attend the city for championship-caliber events. It’s also in the best location for a conference that spans from the cornfields of Nebraska to the shadows of the metropolis of New York City. Moving the game anywhere to either extreme could potentially be costly for fans who wish to travel to support their team. And what is there exactly to gain by rotating the Big Ten championship game?

Nothing, really. There is literally nothing to be gained by having the championship game rotate between locations. Why not have every season start with the same mission of ending the year in the definitive home of the Big Ten championship game?

Indianapolis has hosted the Big Ten championship game every season since its inception in 2011. But an expiring contract after the 2021 season has the Big Ten exploring their options. With any luck, this will be nothing more than a publicity stunt to play hardball with Indianapolis.

It makes as much sense to leave Indy as it does to name divisions “Legends” and “Leaders.”

Keep the Big Ten championship game in Indianapolis.

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Will the Big Ten rotate sites for its football championship game?

The Big Ten championship game outside of Indy makes as much sense as divisions named ‘Legends” and ‘Leaders’

On Thursday the Big Ten held its annual football media day event on the field of Lucas Oil Stadium. The change of location from Chicago was appropriate given the stadium’s recent history as the home of the Big Ten football championship game, one it has hosted since 2011. But it turns out, Big Ten commissioner Kevin Warren took to the podium on the playing field of Big Ten champions (and the Indianapolis Colts) to suggest the conference was thinking about potentially moving the game.

And not just moving to a new permanent home, but rotating the game between cities throughout the Big Ten’s footprint.

In a word; pointless.

On the surface, it makes sense for the Big Ten to want to explore other potential homes for its conference championship game. There are plenty of worthy options to consider that would easily be able to accommodate such a game with NFL cities all over the Big Ten’s landscape. A Big Ten championship game in the Meadowlands? How about in Detroit? Or Minneapolis? Who wouldn’t love the possible scenery of a Big Ten championship game on the field of Soldier Field?

Or, and here’s a thought, maybe just keep the darn game in Indianapolis. It just makes too much sense, so of course the big Ten would explore a possible path to ruining what it has in front of them.

Indianapolis is a terrific host city for these types of events, as I have seen from those who regularly attend the city for championship-caliber events. It’s also in the best location for a conference that spans from the cornfields of Nebraska to the shadows of the metropolis of New York City. Moving the game anywhere to either extreme could potentially be costly for fans who wish to travel to support their team. And what is there exactly to gain by rotating the Big Ten championship game?

Nothing, really. There is literally nothing to be gained by having the championship game rotate between locations. Why not have every season start with the same mission of ending the year in the definitive home of the Big Ten championship game?

Indianapolis has hosted the Big Ten championship game every season since its inception in 2011. But an expiring contract after the 2021 season has the Big Ten exploring their options. With any luck, this will be nothing more than a publicity stunt to play hardball with Indianapolis.

It makes as much sense to leave Indy as it does to name divisions “Legends” and “Leaders.”

Keep the Big Ten championship game in Indianapolis.

Follow Nittany Lions Wire on Twitter and like us on Facebook for continuing Penn State coverage and discussion.

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