Tony Petitti named Big Ten Commissioner

#26      

Joel Goodson

respect my decision™
Frankly, I don't get it... This is at a minimum the 2nd best, if not THE BEST job in collegiate sports. I do understand the necessity for secrecy and diligence... Yet, for a search to take that long is aggravating...IMHO...

I've read that the conference is seriously considering splitting up the commissioner's duties. If that's so, hashing out the new roles takes time, especially when there are 16 "bosses" involved. FWLIW, I'd rather have them get it right.
 
#27      

Mr. Tibbs

southeast DuPage
yea, there is no reason to rush this

they either already have the person they want and are doing what they need to from a general hiring perspective with giving all people who are "qualified" a chance at an interview
or
they dont yet know for sure and are vetting whatever "shortlist" they came to

there is a decent chance a new commissioner is there for quite awhile. They cant risk getting this wrong.

Im not surprised at all that its
a. very secret
b. taken this "long"

I still expect it to be Phillips. But what do i know. If it is Phillips, it would make sense that it doesn't come out until after the NCAA tournament is over.
 
#28      
Due diligence takes time. If they fill the spot quickly and it backfires, people will complain they should have never rushed such an important decision. Also, I'm sure every AD in the conference is wanting to have an active voice in this search. That could easily slow things down considerably.
Not sure the ADs will have much of a voice. The presidents will make this hire. Not sure if that's good or bad.
 
#29      

Mr. Tibbs

southeast DuPage
Not sure the ADs will have much of a voice. The presidents will make this hire. Not sure if that's good or bad.
yea, but often the AD and President huddle up on this and make sure they are on the same page.
these days, unlike 30 years ago , the money the schools get is just way too large to ignore or minimize in this
 
#31      
it’s simple
in todays world , you need to satisfy as many groups as you can that a thorough search was done and that no one person was singled out to get the job from day one .

this is 2023, not 1963 .
I know it's not 1963, because I'm not a student at the beloved now... lol... I totally understand what you're saying.... I'm just saying it's frustrating... that's all...
 
#32      
Due diligence takes time. If they fill the spot quickly and it backfires, people will complain they should have never rushed such an important decision. Also, I'm sure every AD in the conference is wanting to have an active voice in this search. That could easily slow things down considerably.
I know how important it is to take the time for due diligence.... and I know it's not good to rush such an important decision... lol... I totally understand what you're saying.... I'm just saying it's frustrating... that's all...
 
#33      
I've read that the conference is seriously considering splitting up the commissioner's duties. If that's so, hashing out the new roles takes time, especially when there are 16 "bosses" involved. FWLIW, I'd rather have them get it right.
Oh for sure... I know how important this is.... truly... I want them to 'get it right' also... lol... I'm just saying that it's frustrating. That's all...
 
#35      
What's the urgency? The day to day stuff is being handled by staff, our media rights are locked up, and the machine continues to chug along and print money.
There is NO urgency ! ! ! I'm obviously not expressing my feelings well through my writing.... as you don't seem to get the point... I'm sorry. Have a nice day !
 
#36      

ChiefGritty

Chicago, IL
Before you identify the person to be the commissioner you have to identify what the conference goals are that you want that commissioner to pursue.

What are the Big Ten's goals? Do the Presidents know? The institution is unrecognizable from what it was 20 years ago and the type of business practices these folks are accustomed to the athletic department representing.

They've lost their security blanket of Jim Delany telling them what to think and do. I'm sure he's involved with the process, but still.
 
#37      

Mr. Tibbs

southeast DuPage
Before you identify the person to be the commissioner you have to identify what the conference goals are that you want that commissioner to pursue.

What are the Big Ten's goals? Do the Presidents know? The institution is unrecognizable from what it was 20 years ago and the type of business practices these folks are accustomed to the athletic department representing.

They've lost their security blanket of Jim Delany telling them what to think and do. I'm sure he's involved with the process, but still.
I would safely guess that these issues have all been addressed and articulated to the new potential commissioner.
They certainly are not going to make that public. You hire the new commissioner once you know you have who you want and all other timing is right.

If the commissioners role is being changed somewhat and duties are being divided, you let the new commissioner have a large role or main role in selecting the lieutenant(s). In the meantime , issues like football scheduling for 2024 and beyond, get put on hold
 
#38      

ChiefGritty

Chicago, IL
If the commissioners role is being changed somewhat and duties are being divided
I heard this too and I can't imagine what that means.

I'm guessing like a "media czar" role separate from the "sheriff of the actual sports competition" role?

You could see how the Kevin Warren experience, where he wildly succeeded at the former and totally failed at the latter, would lead them to kick the tires on making that two different people.

We also might be steering into a world of even bigger conflicts of interest where certain teams winning means more money for the conference.
 
#39      

Mr. Tibbs

southeast DuPage
I heard this too and I can't imagine what that means.

I'm guessing like a "media czar" role separate from the "sheriff of the actual sports competition" role?

You could see how the Kevin Warren experience, where he wildly succeeded at the former and totally failed at the latter, would lead them to kick the tires on making that two different people.

We also might be steering into a world of even bigger conflicts of interest where certain teams winning means more money for the conference.
yea I think because the financial aspect of the B1G's role in all member university's budgets has become so large, the role of Commish is going to be one that is perhaps divided into
a. money and media czar (CEO) answering to the Presidents or their assigns

b. the Lieutenant who is the traditional sports sheriff who answers more to the AD's. This role could be further divided in to men's sports and women's sports

just my guess
 
#40      

Dan

Admin
"The ACC's move to extend Phillips comes as the Big Ten's search for a commissioner is hitting its late stages, with finalists expected to be interviewed this week. Phillips was not formally involved in the Big Ten's process, according to sources, but he had been the speculative favorite."

"Phillips was the preferred candidate of many athletic directors in the Big Ten, who strongly prefer college athletics experience for the candidate in that role after experiencing Kevin Warren's steep early learning curve adjusting to college sports."

 
#43      
I guess it's safe to assume the new commish will be someone Michigan and OSU can control. Phillips was likely seen as too strong of a candidate for that.
 
#44      

mhuml32

Cincinnati, OH
Before you identify the person to be the commissioner you have to identify what the conference goals are that you want that commissioner to pursue.

What are the Big Ten's goals? Do the Presidents know? The institution is unrecognizable from what it was 20 years ago and the type of business practices these folks are accustomed to the athletic department representing.

They've lost their security blanket of Jim Delany telling them what to think and do. I'm sure he's involved with the process, but still.

The challenge for the B1G/SEC conference commissioner job is the presidents' only care about getting the biggest year-to-year check possible. There were many moments where a longer-term vision could have better navigated the concerns of amateurism, TV rights, long-term disability/concussion concerns that are now coming home to roost. But that's the issue, the president's still only care about the media rights - if the Big Ten could add Alabama football tomorrow and it would allow them to renegotiate their media rights to further heights, they would do it because that's the only goal. Now that the media rights are finished and the next negotiation is multiple years in the future, it's the first time the conference has required the institutional stakeholders to consider beyond their immediate goals. Should they hire someone who still has a strong media background (e.g., Big XII, PAC-12) or is the regional sports bubble a sign of the traditional TV rights swan song? So maybe you hire someone with a great digital background or will that push things too much too soon in the rural Midwest that will always be the backbone of the conference? What about another endless network person like Warren? Intellectual property background? Or legal? Maybe now's the time to bring in someone who had the traditional path to administration - former player or coach who is now an AD? Or do they make the bold step and find a leader that can devise a plan to turn SAs into employees and mold it towards the conference's advantage?

"The ACC's move to extend Phillips comes as the Big Ten's search for a commissioner is hitting its late stages, with finalists expected to be interviewed this week. Phillips was not formally involved in the Big Ten's process, according to sources, but he had been the speculative favorite."

"Phillips was the preferred candidate of many athletic directors in the Big Ten, who strongly prefer college athletics experience for the candidate in that role after experiencing Kevin Warren's steep early learning curve adjusting to college sports."


I asked this earlier in the thread and the lack of responses is likely the answer - Phillips hasn't proven anything in the ACC that garners a promotion to the Big Ten, regardless of his connections. Part of that lack of action is by design, the ACC's restrictive media rights deal might be the only thing holding the conference together. Within his limited moves, he believes it's better to wait than make a poor (fatal) step. It's fine for your job (and likely the best course of action for the ACC in the near future), but it's not going to get you the B1G or SEC job where inaction is the only mistake. All of these media releases just seem like the B1G did him a solid by keeping their search quiet while the ACC made an offer to keep him. Everyone leaves happy without taking risk.

Also, might be a hot take - Warren did a fine job. People will complain about Warren's handling of COVID and a couple fanbases feel hurt by how their school was treated but that's barely a blip to the university presidents who just saw another zero added to their school's annual check and the conference adding two premier West Coast schools. Warren secured the Big Ten's status for the long-term at a crucial moment in history. He absolutely succeeded where it was required.
 
#45      
Let's not forget that the Commissioner represents the best interests of Men's and Women's Cross Country and Golf programs just as much as all the blah blah about media and connections and legal and marketing and the only 2 sports that seem to matter, et al.
 
#47      
Speculate much? Let's wait to see how it shakes out before criticizing.
My mistake. I kinda thought speculation was what this board is primarily based on? No? I get your point, but come on, we all know who runs the conference. Money talks. Are you aware of other, more qualified candidates? Phillips was widely named as a top candidate when the Warren announcement was made.
 
#48      

ChiefGritty

Chicago, IL
The challenge for the B1G/SEC conference commissioner job is the presidents' only care about getting the biggest year-to-year check possible. There were many moments where a longer-term vision could have better navigated the concerns of amateurism, TV rights, long-term disability/concussion concerns that are now coming home to roost. But that's the issue, the president's still only care about the media rights - if the Big Ten could add Alabama football tomorrow and it would allow them to renegotiate their media rights to further heights, they would do it because that's the only goal. Now that the media rights are finished and the next negotiation is multiple years in the future, it's the first time the conference has required the institutional stakeholders to consider beyond their immediate goals. Should they hire someone who still has a strong media background (e.g., Big XII, PAC-12) or is the regional sports bubble a sign of the traditional TV rights swan song? So maybe you hire someone with a great digital background or will that push things too much too soon in the rural Midwest that will always be the backbone of the conference? What about another endless network person like Warren? Intellectual property background? Or legal? Maybe now's the time to bring in someone who had the traditional path to administration - former player or coach who is now an AD? Or do they make the bold step and find a leader that can devise a plan to turn SAs into employees and mold it towards the conference's advantage?



I asked this earlier in the thread and the lack of responses is likely the answer - Phillips hasn't proven anything in the ACC that garners a promotion to the Big Ten, regardless of his connections. Part of that lack of action is by design, the ACC's restrictive media rights deal might be the only thing holding the conference together. Within his limited moves, he believes it's better to wait than make a poor (fatal) step. It's fine for your job (and likely the best course of action for the ACC in the near future), but it's not going to get you the B1G or SEC job where inaction is the only mistake. All of these media releases just seem like the B1G did him a solid by keeping their search quiet while the ACC made an offer to keep him. Everyone leaves happy without taking risk.

Also, might be a hot take - Warren did a fine job. People will complain about Warren's handling of COVID and a couple fanbases feel hurt by how their school was treated but that's barely a blip to the university presidents who just saw another zero added to their school's annual check and the conference adding two premier West Coast schools. Warren secured the Big Ten's status for the long-term at a crucial moment in history. He absolutely succeeded where it was required.
This is a really good post, I just wanted to note that one critical part of the B1G Commissioner job description is to generate consensus and lead the disparate interests to speak with one voice. Whatever moves the leagues will try to make, it will do so more powerfully as a unit that handles any dissention behind closed doors. That was the base of the pyramid that Jim Delany built.
 
#49      

Joel Goodson

respect my decision™
My mistake. I kinda thought speculation was what this board is primarily based on? No? I get your point, but come on, we all know who runs the conference. Money talks. Are you aware of other, more qualified candidates? Phillips was widely named as a top candidate when the Warren announcement was made.

Phillips very well might have been the #1 candidate. Doesn't mean he would take the job (if offered).

Beyond articles in the public domain, I don't have any special insight on the selection process. But it sure seems like the Presidents are asserting more control than how it was with Warren.

The gist is, we peons don't know what's going on. Plenty of time to lob bombs after the cards fall.
 
#50      

Mr. Tibbs

southeast DuPage
to many of us know nothings , Phillips seemed like the perfect logical choice .

shows what we know .

it will be interesting to see who it is , when that time comes , and if/how the Commish’s duties change this time around .