Jim Delany
Northwestern University Athletic Director Jim Phillips poses outside his home in Wilmette, Ill., in this Oct. 9, 2008, photo. The Atlantic Coast Conference is finalizing a deal to make Northwestern athletic director Jim Phillips the league's next commissioner. Two people with knowledge of the situation told The Associated Press they expected an agreement to be reached with Phillips and the conference soon. (John J. Kim/Chicago Sun-Times via AP)
ACC hires Northwestern AD Phillips as new commissioner

By Ralph D. Russo Dec. 14, 2020 11:19 AM EST

FILE - In this March 12, 2020, file photo, Big Ten Commissioner Kevin Warren addresses the media in Indianapolis after it was announced that the remainder of the Big Ten Conference men's basketball tournament had been canceled. Warren, the first black commissioner of a Power Five conference, is creating a coalition to give the league's athletes a platform to voice their concerns about racism. Warren announced Monday, June 1, 2020, the formation of the Big Ten Anti-Hate and Anti-Racism Coalition, with athletes, coaches, athletic director and university chancellors and presidents. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy, File)
Big Ten Commissioner Warren creates anti-racism coalition

By Ralph D. Russo Jun. 01, 2020 09:06 PM EDT

FILE - In this Aug. 5, 1965, file photo, Otto Graham, center, coach of the College All Stars football team, talks with co-captains Dick Butkus (50) of Illinois and Roger Staubach (12) of Navy as the team worked out under lights at Soldier Field in Chicago. In the early days of the NFL, college football was king and playing the game professionally was not necessarily something players aspired to do. By planting its flag in large cities, embracing television exposure and playing a more entertaining style, the NFL surged in popularity in the middle of the 20th century and helped turn college football into a means to an end for many players. (AP Photo/Edward Kitch, File)
NFL at 100: How college football became the pipeline to NFL

By Ralph D. Russo Aug. 08, 2019 03:49 PM EDT

FILE - In this Dec. 27, 2015, file photo, Minnesota Vikings chief operating officer Kevin Warren poses for a photo before an NFL football game against the New York Giants, in Minneapolis. The Big Ten hired Minnesota Vikings executive Kevin Warren as its new commissioner Tuesday, June 4, 2019, bringing on a former college basketball player and sports agent with a law degree from Notre Dame to replace Jim Delany and become the first black commissioner of a Power Five conference. (AP Photo/Ann Heisenfelt, File)
Giants-Vikings 12/27/2015

Jun. 04, 2019 12:25 PM EDT

Minnesota Vikings chief operating officer Kevin Warren talks to reporters after being named Big Ten Conference Commissioner during a news conference Tuesday, June 4, 2019, in Rosemont, Ill. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
Big Ten taps Vikings' Kevin Warren as new commissioner

By Andrew Seligman Jun. 04, 2019 12:11 PM EDT