Report (Thamel): New Big Ten Commissioner - Tony Petitti
Tony Petitti is the former president of sports and entertainment of Activision Blizzard.
He was formerly the chief operating officer of Major League Baseball. He succeeded Rob Manfred in the position on January 25, 2015, after Manfred became Commissioner of Baseball. He previously served as the president and chief executive officer of the MLB Network, where he oversaw all of the network's day-to-day operations.
impressive
April 11th, 2023 at 10:09 PM ^
Maybe, did he work on Diablo IV? And can he get me early access?
April 11th, 2023 at 10:18 PM ^
impressive
If that's accurate, he would've reported to a Michigan guy while at Activision Blizzard:
I don't think U-M folk necessarily want to claim him. He's been in the news for less than great behavior the last couple years.
Yes, that's very disappointing to hear.
Petitti went to Haverford College and Harvard Law School. Good thing Yale isn't in the Big Ten.
Yeah. That whole Yale thing
Easy there, Bateman.
You mean Marcus Halberstram?
Listen, you'll have to excuse me. I have a lunch meeting with Cliff Huxtable at the Four Seasons in 20 minutes.
April 12th, 2023 at 11:48 AM ^
Then return some videotapes
Activision Blizzard and MLB, excellent. He certainly meets the shamelessly corrupt sociopath requirement for the job.
Meet new boss, same as old boss.
Yeah this doesn't exactly inspire confidence that the Big Ten will prioritize preserving traditions, rivalries, and all the other things that make college football great if there's an extra dollar that can be squeezed out
I'm waiting to see what loot box mechanics he will introduce into the league. Spend some money, maybe get a shot to win a favorable ref call...
With his baseball background, hopefully he can use his influence to fix the college baseball season schedule to help the northern teams.
April 12th, 2023 at 10:24 AM ^
He has the power to change the weather? Big if true.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tony_Petitti
So, how much does he hate Michigan?
This is the only information about this guy that I care about, if I’m being honest…
My first thought when I saw this post!
The CEO of Blizzard is a Michigan guy (Bobby Kotick). I assume he and Petitti are friendly enough.
I was just about to ask why he hates us.
Great minds think alike
A lawyer and economist. I'm looking forward to his jokes.
A lawyer/economist is better than a comedian/masturbator.
Jim is the gift that keeps on giving.
You leave Louis CK out of this.
Coming from the video game industry by way of Major League Baseball and CBS Sports and ABC Sports. Might have a positive impact with getting licenses in the future NCAA football game, in which case you can count me in as a member of the Itty-Bitty Petitti Committee.
Yo, Activision Blizzard. Absolutely no positive impact to be had here, unfortunately.
Does he have any children that attend a rival school?
This is an upgrade for marketing conference football and probable expansion.
Not an Ohio homer either...
Exactly. When Gene Smith was floated early in the process, I wanted to puke. This guy went to the Michigan of the east, maybe he will have some affinity for the Wolverines.
Is he responsible for Diablo3?! If so...yikes.
What does he think about dinning at the Brown Jug?
Does he have the power to determine how many media timeouts there are?
3.5 stars.
I read it in the voice of Ed McMahon
Long as his kid doesn’t play for OSU/MSU, it will be an upgrade.
Meet the new boss. Same as the old boss.
April 11th, 2023 at 11:03 PM ^
I wonder if Roger Daltrey ever accidentally clocked someone in the front row with that microphone.
I don't doubt that he did, but that would probably be at best the 6th most dangerous thing about being front row at a Who concert (cf, Townshend smashing his guitars after the song is over)
He's run a pro league and a TV network.
Seems like a strong hire for where college football is today.
I feel like league offices need this guy and the former AD who actually knows what it's like to run an athletics department. I'd love to see the B1G lead the way in changing the model at conference offices.
Dave Brandon seemed like a good business hire at one time...and then, yeah. But then he was succeeded by a successful business man who did a great job during his short stint as AD. So you never know.
I just think the job is too big for one person to lead. Give me this guy, plus someone with equal influence, who has been on a college campus.
As of right now, the next highest ranking official in the B1G is a Gene Smith disciple from OSU (Diana Sabau). Can't imagine that's great for Michigan.
One of Warde's most underrated strengths was he has a good relationship with Kevin Warren after Brandon (and Brandon's predecessors) left Michigan is a big time hole. And Warde kept a good relationship with the league despite a head football coach, who let's be honest, many people outside of Michigan can't stand.
Anyway, interested to see how this hire turns out. In reading about him, he definitely has the credentials. Far more qualified than Warren (who had huge shortcomings, but did a GREAT job with the decisions that mattered...the TV deal and USC/UCLA).
Washington and Oregon come on down!!!
Stanford/Notre Dame?
I may be in the minority, but I do not want notre dame. They have spurned us so many times - TO HELL WITH NOTRE DAME!!! Also, they would want a larger share of revenues as they would be giving up their exclusive contract - so screw them!
...and all their rudy-loving delusional fans!