CHICAGO — The Chicago Bears named Massive Ten commissioner Kevin Warren as their president and CEO on Thursday.
Warren will change outgoing president and CEO Ted Phillips, who introduced in September that he would retire after the 2022 NFL season. He’s the primary president and CEO employed from exterior the Bears group and the primary Black president in group historical past.
“Kevin is a person of integrity, respect and excellence, all of that are essential core values of the Chicago Bears, and we welcome his perspective and various thought to guide this storied group,” Bears chairman George H. McCaskey mentioned in a press release. “He’s a confirmed chief who has many instances stepped exterior of his consolation zone to problem establishment for unconventional progress and prosperity. On this function, Warren will serve within the major management place of the franchise to assist carry the subsequent Tremendous Bowl championship trophy residence to Bears followers.”
Warren will oversee common supervisor Ryan Poles and the enterprise operations of the membership, in response to a information launch from the group. Poles at the moment reviews to McCaskey, an organizational change that occurred when he was employed as GM in January 2022. Earlier common managers had reported to Phillips.
The Massive Ten’s council of presidents and chancellors mentioned in a press release that it’ll work with Warren “throughout this transition part” and start a seek for a brand new commissioner.
Bears personnel have been instructed internally that Warren’s first day can be April 17, a supply instructed ESPN’s Pete Thamel. Warren is predicted to be launched throughout a information convention at Halas Corridor on Tuesday.
“I’m honored and acknowledge the duty bestowed upon me to guide the Chicago Bears throughout this thrilling and pivotal time for the franchise,” Warren mentioned in a press release. “I sit up for constructing on the wealthy custom that began with George Halas and connecting with the distinctive and vibrant fanbase in Chicago. I be part of the Chicago Bears with gratitude and drive to hold out and construct upon the legacy and spirit of this founding franchise and my predecessors. This can be a franchise that’s revered in all {of professional} sports activities, and I’m humbled to be chosen as the subsequent President & CEO of the Chicago Bears. I sincerely thank Virginia McCaskey, George McCaskey, the McCaskey household, Ted Phillips and the search group, for the duty and belief positioned in me to guide the Chicago Bears and ship championships to Chicago.”
Warren had been with the Massive Ten since June 2019 however lately was not given a contract extension by the convention, sources instructed Thamel. Final summer time, Warren helped develop the convention with the additions of USC and UCLA as member establishments starting in August 2024. He additionally secured the Massive Ten’s seven-year media rights settlement price greater than $7 billion with CBS, Fox and NBC.
“The Council of Presidents and Chancellors (COP/C) for the Massive Ten Convention is grateful to Commissioner Kevin Warren for his precious service to the convention and its member establishments over the previous three years,” the council mentioned in a press release. “He has guided the convention with an revolutionary spirit, a ardour for individuals and distinctive enterprise acumen.
“Commissioner Warren was pivotal within the enlargement from 14-to-16 educational and athletic member establishments and main the media rights negotiations for the convention. He has been devoted to constructing inclusion and fairness within the convention whereas championing psychological well being and wellness. We thank him for his service and want him the easiest in his new endeavor because the president and chief government officer of the Chicago Bears.”
Warren’s intensive expertise within the NFL spans 21 years and contains stints with the Rams, Lions and Vikings, with whom he labored from 2005 to 2019. He spent 2005-14 because the Vikings’ government vp of authorized affairs and chief administrative officer earlier than being promoted to Minnesota’s chief working officer in 2015.
Sources instructed ESPN that Warren’s affect in serving to the Vikings construct U.S. Financial institution Stadium in 2016 appealed to the Bears, who’re additionally seeking to assemble a brand new stadium after 50 seasons at Soldier Subject. The Bears intention to shut on their 326-acre buy in Arlington Heights through the first quarter of 2023 and unveiled preliminary plans for growth, which is about to incorporate a domed stadium, final fall.
The Bears have been beneath contract on the property since September 2021, after they signed a $197.2 million buy and sale settlement.
“Kevin goes to be an amazing useful resource, and I’m excited to get began with him,” Bears common supervisor Ryan Poles mentioned. “In my time spent with him through the interview course of, it shortly turned obvious his résumé and enterprise acumen can be a strong asset to serving to enhance our group and in the end attain our objective to be a championship group.”
Phillips spent 40 seasons with the Bears, together with the previous 23 in his function as president/CEO. He was solely the fourth individual to function president within the group’s 102-year existence and was the primary exterior of the Halas-McCaskey household to carry that submit.
“It was necessary to make sure the Bears had the best chief in place earlier than I retired,” Phillips mentioned. “Kevin will do a wonderful job of bringing the very best out of the good individuals at Halas Corridor and proceed the evolution of our proud franchise.”
ESPN’s Adam Rittenberg contributed to this report.
