The sports world was shocked Thursday to learn that Big Ten commissioner Kevin Warren was exploring a potential job change with the NFL’s Chicago Bears. The athletic conference released a statement later that day but it seemingly created more questions than answers.
According to a report from ESPN college football insider Pete Thamel, Kevin Warren is expected to interview to become the President and CEO of the Chicago Bears and is considered a top candidate.
The former Minnesota Vikings CEO Kevin Warren took over his current role in 2020 from Jim Delaney, who retired. That’s a fairly short stint for a commissioner of a major college athletics conference if Warren does decide to leave in 2023.
While rumors swirl, the conference put out a statement on Warren’s behalf.
“Over the course of three decades in professional and collegiate sports, Big Ten Commissioner Kevin Warren regularly receives unique opportunities and requests for his expertise from leaders across a variety of industries ranging from professional sports ownership groups to private equity firms,” said the Big Ten, via The Athletic’s Matt Fortuna. “The Commissioner utilizes each occurrence to listen, learn and assist every stakeholder in the most appropriate and effective manner. The Commissioner remains focused on the Big Ten Conference, its 14 member institutions, and over 10,000 student-athletes in both regular season and postseason play.”
Statement from the Big Ten: "Over the course of three decades in professional and collegiate sports, Big Ten Commissioner Kevin Warren regularly receives unique opportunities and requests for his expertise from leaders across a variety of industries ranging from professional …
— Matt Fortuna (@Matt_Fortuna) December 29, 2022
" … its 14 member institutions and over 10,000 student-athletes in both regular season and postseason play."
— Matt Fortuna (@Matt_Fortuna) December 29, 2022
That’s a lot of words. While the statement seems to be trying to say that Warren is simply having friendly discussions with the Bears, it also doesn’t adamantly deny that he’s considering taking the job. “Remains focused” certainly isn’t “is locked in.”
The Bears are reportedly interested in Warren because he was instrumental in the Vikings’ stadium deal and they currently find themselves locked in a battle with the city of Chicago over a new or remodeled stadium.
