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

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.