Big Ten names Kevin Warren as new conference commissioner

The Big Ten Conference Council of Presidents and Chancellors named Kevin Warren the sixth commissioner of the Big Ten Conference. He will start on September 16, 2019. Commissioner Jim Delany will officially step down on January 1, 2020, following a 30-year career with the conference.

Warren is the Chief Operating Officer for the Minnesota Vikings, where he has worked since 2005. He is the highest-ranking African-American executive working on the business side for a team in the NFL and is the first African-American COO in NFL history.

As of Tuesday, he's also the first African-American P5 commissioner.

Here are a few highlights from Warren's introductory press conference.

"To have an opportunity to lead the Big Ten Conference, and follow in the shoes of Jim Delany is truly an honor."

– Kevin Warren pic.twitter.com/WDx0vCIw74

— Big Ten Network (@BigTenNetwork) June 4, 2019

Kevin Warren's son, Powers (@PowersWarren88), couldn't make today's presser.

He's a TE for @HailStateFB, and has a test and workouts to tackle.

"This is what student-athletes and what college athletics is about." pic.twitter.com/wYEpZiOfLq

— Big Ten Network (@BigTenNetwork) June 4, 2019

"I wish they could be here, because today is a day that they told me about that would come."

– Kevin Warren, on his late parents pic.twitter.com/W1turIVv41

— Big Ten Network (@BigTenNetwork) June 4, 2019

Kevin Warren was hit by a car as an 11-year-old, and the doctor said his outlook was not good.

Warren asked the doctor what would help him. The doctor's answer? Swim.

Warren paid for a pool in his backyard, practically lived in it, and uses the experience as motivation. pic.twitter.com/CACNY90J59

— Big Ten Network (@BigTenNetwork) June 4, 2019

Kevin Warren comes from a family that's experienced a lot of firsts.

Officially the first black P5 commissioner, does he consider himself a pioneer? pic.twitter.com/EsMAf6YXRs

— Big Ten Network (@BigTenNetwork) June 4, 2019

"This is one of those issues that I have on my list, that we'll definitely need to sit down and learn and really study, and figure out what's the best thing for the game, what's the best thing for this conference."

– Kevin Warren, on CFP expansion pic.twitter.com/jiTDzJVTT5

— Big Ten Network (@BigTenNetwork) June 4, 2019