• Loading stock data...
Saturday, July 19, 2025

What Kevin Warren’s Departure Means for the Big Ten

  • The next commissioner will be tasked with maintaining the conference’s business strength.
  • But they’ll also have to navigate the barrage of changes college sports is facing.
Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports

In three short years as Big Ten Commissioner, Kevin Warren established the conference as one of the two most powerful in all of college sports — alongside the mighty SEC.

Over the next few months, Warren will begin to transition into a new role as President and CEO of the Chicago Bears — and the Big Ten will begin to search for a new leader. 

Now, the first order of business is for the Council of Presidents and Chancellors — the group that ultimately will choose a new commissioner — to begin the process of finding a new commissioner.

Bears Make Big Ten Commish New President and CEO

Warren leaves the Big Ten after just three seasons.
January 12, 2023

The role is certainly attractive, given that it’s one of the most powerful positions in college sports. But in reality, the next commissioner will face an uphill battle: navigating the barrage of changes the industry faces for a conference that is about to expand coast-to-coast. They must be willing to do a job that is increasingly unappealing, as burnout and disillusionment grows within the industry.

As usual, there are the status-quo candidates like ACC Commissioner Jim Phillips — who has only been in the role himself since 2020.

But the Big Ten will likely need a much more innovative leader. It could pluck another executive from outside college sports, like the Pac-12 and Big 12 both have done. Pac-12 Commissioner George Kliavkoff came from MGM Resorts International, and Big 12 Commissioner Brett Yormark arrived from Roc Nation.

Warren himself came from the Minnesota Vikings. 

One list from The Athletic floated candidates such as WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert or President and COO of Fox Sports, Mark Silverman.

Here’s what probably won’t be affected: The Big Ten is slated to be at least the second-highest, if not the highest-earning, conference in all of college sports starting in 2023-24 with a media rights contract that will pay out more than $1 billion annually. 

The conference will also probably not expand — Warren appeared to have expansion on a temporary hold anyway, but now presidents and chancellors will likely be busy with finding a replacement rather than adding new members. But after the Pac-12 finalizes its next media rights deal, there could be another wave across the sport.

In the long term, Warren envisioned a 20-team league. Could a new commissioner reach that goal?

But there’s one issue that could sink the conference no matter who is at its helm: athlete compensation. This year, the U.S. Third Circuit Court of Appeals and the NLRB will consider the question of whether athletes should be designated employees. If so, the entire current business model of college sports — which the Big Ten capitalizes on significantly — would crumble.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Ryan Field Construction
exclusive

First Look Inside Northwestern’s $862 Million New Ryan Field

Five big things FOS learned on our exclusive stadium tour.
(NCL_OSU_11_SUGAR_LAURON 04JAN11) Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback Terrelle Pryor (2) slips around the Arkansas Razorbacks defense during first half of the Sugar Bowl at the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans, January 4, 2011.

Terrelle Pryor’s Case for NIL Backpay Dismissed in Court

Pryor played seven years in the NFL after leaving OSU amid a scandal.
Mar 21, 2025; Seattle, WA, USA; Memphis Tigers head coach Penny Hardaway walks off the court after losing to Colorado State Rams at Climate Pledge Arena.

Memphis Basketball and Softball Placed on NCAA Probation

Memphis has had multiple NCAA issues since hiring Penny Hardaway.
exclusive

Fox Sports Nearing Deal for Dave Portnoy on ‘Big Noon,’ Barstool on..

Barstool content could fill some FS1 airtime vacated by three canceled shows.

Featured Today

Jul 21, 2024; Ayrshire, SCT; Xander Schauffele celebrates with Claret Jug after winning the Open Championship golf tournament at Royal Troon.

The Boozy History and Traditions of The Open’s Claret Jug

The Open awards the world’s most famous wine decanter.
2025 PDC World Darts Championship Final - Luke Littler vs Michael Van Gerwen
July 16, 2025

A Teen Darts Prodigy Is Becoming Bigger Than the Game Itself

Luke ‘The Nuke’ Littler is cashing in on his devastatingly accurate shot.
May 31, 2025; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Sydney McLaughin-Levrone (USA) reacts before the women's 100m hurdles during the Grand Slam Track Philadelphia at Franklin Field
exclusive
July 13, 2025

Track’s New Money Is Running Into Old Problems

The sport’s big-money era has hit some speed bumps in 2025.
Bobbleheads are seen at Vintage Indy Sports, Tuesday, April 29, 2025 in Speedway. The local sports memorabilia store opened recently.
July 12, 2025

Baseball’s Bobbleheads Are the Center of the Collectibles Universe

Baseball’s most important keepsake drives long lines—and big business.
July 16, 2025

Alabama’s New Era Contends With NIL—and Nick Saban Rumors

Kalen DeBoer is entering his second season as head coach.
Sponsored

Game On: Portfolio Players Stories, Brought to You by E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley

Dealmaker Jeffrey Kaplan maps the evolution of sports as an asset class
Texas Head Coach Steve Sarkisian waits to lead his team out of the tunnel ahead of the Longhorns' game against the Baylor Bears, Saturday, Sept. 23 at McLane Stadium in Waco.
July 15, 2025

Is a Texas Takeover About to Hit the SEC, On and Off..

The Longhorns are favored to win the SEC in their second year in the conference.
Georgia takes the field for the first half of the SEC championship game against Texas in Atlanta, on Saturday, Dec. 7, 2024.
July 15, 2025

SEC Lands Starring Role in Netflix College Football Docuseries

Netflix brings its sports storytelling to the heart of SEC football.
May 15, 2025; Washington, DC, USA; United States Capitol seen as People rally outside the Supreme Court before justices hears oral arguments in Trump v. CASA, Inc. At issue in the case is if the Supreme Court should stay the district courts' nationwide preliminary injunctions on the Trump administration’s executive order ending birthright citizenship.
July 15, 2025

Pro-NCAA Bill Takes First Step Toward Being Introduced on House Floor for..

It could be the first bill of its kind to make it to the House floor.
July 15, 2025

Georgia’s Kirby Smart Says Money Is Making Players Too Comfortable

The football coach is concerned about the revenue-sharing era.