ROSEMONT, Illinois — Tony Petitti has been selected as the next commissioner of the Big Ten Conference, replacing Kevin Warren, who is departing to become CEO of the Chicago Bears. Petitti, who will be the seventh commissioner in the conference’s history, is set to take up the role on May 15.
Petitti brings almost forty years of experience in the sports, business, and media industries to his new position. He has held executive roles at CBS Sports and ABC Sports, and most recently served as deputy commissioner and chief operating officer of Major League Baseball. Additionally, Petitti was the president and CEO of MLB Network and played a key role in the creation of the Bowl Championship Series to determine college football’s national champion.
The Big Ten Council of Presidents and Chancellors’ Executive Search Committee led the search for a new commissioner, with University of Maryland President Darryll J. Pines serving as chair. The search was conducted with the assistance of TurnkeyZRG, a talent recruitment firm in sports, entertainment, music, and media.
Petitti expressed his excitement and gratitude for being selected as the new commissioner, saying he is “energized to work alongside the best athletics directors, coaches, conference staff and board in the country” to elevate the academic and athletic experiences for the conference’s 14, soon-to-be 16 universities.
