A career change could be coming soon for Kevin Warren.
According to ESPN's Pete Thamel, the Big Ten commissioner has emerged as a candidate to become the next president of the Chicago Bears and is one of the final professionals in the organization's search for a leader in its front office.
Sources: Big Ten Commissioner Kevin Warren has emerged as a top candidate to be the next President/CEO of the Chicago Bears. Hes interviewed in person for the job and is considered among the final candidates. The process is expected to wrap up in the upcoming weeks.
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) December 29, 2022
While not many are privy to information about Warren's candidacy for the Bears' open position, Warren's attachment to the vacant role comes after he interviewed in person with the Chicago franchise earlier this month, sources told Thamel.
ESPN's Adam Schefter later reported an official statement from the Bears regarding their search to replace Ted Phillips, who announced his retirement from the role in September. The organization claims it has "cast a wide net" to find a successor and has spoke to many different candidates.
Statement from Bears on Pres. and CEO search:
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 29, 2022
We have not set a timeline for announcing Ted Phillips successor. Our search team has cast a wide net, spoke to many outstanding candidates and looks forward to introducing our next President and CEO at the processs conclusion.
Warren's experience as an executive for the Vikings, including time spent as Minnesota's chief operating officer, is appealing to the Bears, sources say. Additionally, his role in helping the organization build U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis is considered valuable as the franchise attempts to create a new stadium on 326 acres in Arlington Heights – a suburb located 25 miles northwest of downtown Chicago.
It's uncommon and even unusual to have an active commissioner of a Power Five conference interview for a front office position in professional sports. However, Thamel's sources believe Warren's active candidacy indicates his interest in the role. Warren is also not scheduled to attend either Ohio State or Michigan's College Football Playoff semifinal matchup on Saturday.
Warren's time as the Big Ten commissioner has been a roller coaster, to say the least. When Jim Delany retired in 2019 after 31 years in the position, Warren was hired because of his background and credentials in modern business. His tenure started slow but was immediately met with adversity as the COVID-19 pandemic struck. His handling of the pandemic, specifically with college football, was criticized by many fans of the conference's 14 member institutions.
Following that time of turmoil, Warren has led the Big Ten in several different initiatives, including the addition of USC and UCLA to the conference in June and July and helping the league secure a media rights deal worth over $7 billion in August.
Should Warren be selected as the next president of the Bears, he would add more experience to an already-decorated résumé after 21 years in the NFL. He would also leave the position of the Big Ten commissioner open, requiring the conference to search for a new leader that will pave way for the league in the years to come.
