The American Athletic Conference is looking to appoint Tim Pernetti, a seasoned college sports executive and television veteran, as its next commissioner, sources have informed ESPN. Pernetti currently serves as the president of IMG Academy and has a wealth of experience in the college sports realm. In addition, he has a strong background in television, having previously worked as the Chief Business Officer for New York City FC in Major League Soccer (MLS).
Pernetti’s appointment comes at a time of significant change for the AAC, with recent additions including Rice, UTSA, North Texas, FAU, UAB, and Charlotte. He will be taking over from Mike Aresco, who recently retired after being the league’s only commissioner for the past 11 years. The AAC is currently under contract with ESPN for its television coverage until the academic year 2031-32.
Pernetti’s early career in television began with CSTV (College Sports Television Network), where he was the first hire. He also held positions at ABC Sports and ABC Enhanced TV from 1994 to 2003. Despite facing challenges during his time at Rutgers due to abusive behavior by their men’s basketball coach and resulting resignation following investigation into that matter, Pernetti has rebounded and established himself as a respected executive in the industry.
Given his background in television and college sports along with on-campus experience, Pernetti appears to possess an ideal mix of qualifications for this role. As non-traditional candidates such as Brett Yormark of Big 12 and Jim Phillips of ACC become more popular among conference hires, Pernetti’s appointment aligns with this trend. His diverse background positions him well to lead the AAC through its next phase of growth and development.
