The Big Ten learned how to speak Petitti and liked how it sounded.
The Big Ten Conference announced a five-year extension for conference Commissioner Tony Petitti on Wednesday afternoon, keeping him in the role through June 2033. This contract was unanimously approved by the Big Ten Conference Council of Presidents and Chancellors.
“Tony has provided outstanding vision for the Conference through extremely turbulent times,” COP/C Chair and President of Indiana University Pamela Whitten said in a statement. “We’re thankful for his leadership and appreciate his spirit of innovation and collaboration as we continue to navigate the changing landscape of college sports.”
Petitti became the seventh commissioner in the history of the Big Ten in May 2023 after Kevin Warren left his position to become president and CEO of the NFL’s Chicago Bears.
Prior to becoming conference commissioner, Petitti was a television executive, highlighted by being a senior vice president of business affairs and programming at CBS, an executive vice president at CBS Sports and helping launch MLB Network, among other roles.
On the gridiron, the Big Ten has claimed each of the last three National Championships since Petitti became commissioner: the Michigan Wolverines in 2023, Ohio State Buckeyes in 2024 and Indiana Hoosiers in 2025.
On that note, the Big Ten had two teams reach the College Football Playoff semifinals last season and sent four teams to the College Football Playoff in 2024. Moreover, the conference expanded from 14 teams to 18 teams in 2024, adding the USC Trojans, Oregon Ducks, UCLA Bruins and Washington Huskies from the Pac-12.
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As for other football-related matters, the Big Ten banned any player who has appeared on an NFL roster, declared for the NFL draft and didn’t withdraw or played professionally from joining a program in the conference on Tuesday in the wake of temporary restraining orders being granted to 16 players in Louisiana, allowing those who appeared in NFL training camps this summer to play a fifth collegiate season.
Meanwhile, on the hardwood, the Michigan Wolverines won the Big Ten its first men’s college basketball championship since the Michigan State Spartans won the National Championship in 2000. Six teams from the conference reached the Sweet 16 last season.
