Next Up with Adam Breneman

Commissioner Tim Pernetti: What’s REALLY Happening in College Athletics & Conference Realignment

Feb 21, 2025

Tim Pernetti, Commissioner of the American Athletic Conference and former athletic director at Rutgers, dives into the seismic shifts in college athletics. He discusses the future of college football and the pressing need for changes in the College Football Playoff. Tim highlights the complexities of NIL deals and the influence of private equity in sports. He also shares insights on rebranding the American Conference, strategies for expansion, and the art of negotiating media rights, illustrating the dynamic landscape of collegiate sports.

46:17

Episode guests

Tim Pernetti

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Episode notes

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

Tim Pernetti emphasizes the importance of adaptability and innovation in reshaping the American Athletic Conference amidst chaos in college athletics.

The commissioner is committed to fostering collaboration among member institutions to build a cohesive environment while planning for potential conference expansion.

Branding and establishing a strong identity for the American Athletic Conference are crucial strategies to elevate its profile in a competitive landscape.

Deep dives

Embracing Chaos for Opportunities

The discussion highlights the belief that chaos can lead to new opportunities, especially in the context of college athletics. The commissioner emphasizes the importance of having an appetite for unconventional approaches and innovative ideas, which can be essential for success in such a competitive environment. His initial interview with the American Athletic Conference focused on the willingness of its leadership to embrace change and pursue bold strategies. This proactive mindset reflects a broader trend in sports management, where adaptability can be a significant asset for navigating uncertainty.

Intro

2min

Navigating New Challenges in College Athletics

18min

Navigating NIL and Transfer Dynamics in College Sports

6min

Navigating Media Rights Negotiations in College Athletics

2min

Resilience and Negotiation in Sports

8min

Rethinking Revenue in College Athletics

3min

Navigating Adversity and Defining Life's Purpose

4min

The Importance of Soft Skills in Hiring for College Athletics

2min

Tim Pernetti, Commissioner of the American Conference, joins me for an unfiltered conversation about the future of college football, conference realignment, NIL, media rights, and the business behind the game.

From leading Rutgers’ move to the Big Ten to reshaping the American Conference, Tim has been at the center of some of the biggest decisions in college athletics.

In this episode, he shares insights on his strategy for growing the American Conference, the challenges facing college football, what needs to change in the College Football Playoff, and the impact of NIL and private equity in college sports.

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CHAPTERS

0:00 - intro

2:23 - Path to becoming American Conference Commissioner

4:35 - Priorities when getting Commissioner Job

6:43 - Process of getting Commissioner Job

9:53 - Rebranding The American Conference

11:49 - Traveling when first getting the job

13:18 - Experience as Rutgers Athletic Director

15:42 - Strategy for conference expansion

18:59 - Future of College Football Playoff

20:59 - NIL

24:58 - Private Equity in college sports

27:12 - Talking to media partners

29:09 - A moment that shaped Commissioner Pernetti into who he is today

31:41 - Advice for young people working in sports

32:46 - Negotiating

34:24 - Being the youngest Athletic Director in the country at Rutgers

36:03 - Routine

36:51 - Revenue distribution

39:01 - Conference naming rights

40:27 - Overcoming adversity

41:53 - Commissioner Pernetti’s goal

44:07 - Evaluating employee hires

On Next Up, college football analyst Adam Breneman sits down with the most influential names in college sports and lets them tell their stories unfiltered, direct to the fans.

Next Up is a Front Office Sports Network show featuring candid, open, and honest conversations with the most impactful figures in college sports including head coaches, athletes, athletic directors, commissioners, entrepreneurs, media personalities, agents, and executives shaping the business of college sports.

Adam is a former All-American, Penn State alum and media personality. Front Office Sports is the leading multi-platform media and news organization covering the intersection of sports, business and culture.