The Big Ten has its sixth commissioner in conference history. The conference announced its replacement for the departing Jim Delany at a news conference on Tuesday morning—Kevin Warren.
The Big Ten officially welcomes Kevin Warren as the sixth commissioner in conference history. pic.twitter.com/ywqv8h9TOz
— Big Ten Conference (@bigten) June 4, 2019
Warren comes to the Big Ten from the Minnesota Vikings, where he served as the chief operating officer for the franchise since February 2015. Prior that that, he was the Vikings’ vice president of legal affairs and chief administrative officer. Warren has spent 20 years in the NFL and 14 with Minnesota. He will be the first African-American commissioner of a Power Five conference.
Meet Kevin Warren: pic.twitter.com/WXs4QprIGf
— Big Ten Network (@BigTenNetwork) June 4, 2019
“I am absolutely honored to become the sixth commissioner of the Big Ten, a conference with such rich history, tradition, and respect,” Warren said. “The opportunity is an incredible and unique blend of my lifelong passion, commitment and experience. Positively impacting the lives of young adults has always been part of the fabric of my family and I will work tirelessly with our member schools to ensure that we are providing every possible best in class resource to enhance our students’ educational and athletic experience, as well as empower them for success upon graduation. Jim Delany, our presidents, chancellors, athletic administrators, and coaches have created an extremely strong culture and foundation from which to build. I am very grateful to work alongside Jim as I transition into my role and work to hold true the respected values of the Big Ten, as we propel our conference into the future.”
The Big Ten Conference announced in early March that Jim Delany will conclude his term as league commissioner at the end of his current contract. That expires on June 30, 2020. Delany has been the commissioner of the Big Ten conference for the last three decades.
The three-month search for the new commissioner was led by Big Ten Council of Presidents and Chancellors (COP/C) Chair Morton Schapiro. Korn Ferry had also been retained to assist in the search.
