Tony Petitti
- Role(s) as quoted
- Person type
- Conference executives
- Entries
- 8 (Jul 22, 2025 to Oct 8, 2026)
- Topics
- Playoff & bowls (4) Governance & legislation (3) Transfer portal (2) Scheduling & calendar (2) Structure: super league & divisions (2) Eligibility (1) Conference realignment (1)
In the Ideas index
All entries (oldest first)
“We want to better connect the regular season & postseason. We want more conference games to matter in November.”
At Big Ten media days, Petitti pitched a playoff format with more automatic bids for the Big Ten and SEC so more conference games matter in November, and said models that lean more on committee picks would struggle to win Big Ten support. The Big Ten was also the lone FBS league backing a spring portal window over January.
“Also, the playoff format should not function as a disincentive to schedule tough, nonconference games.”
Petitti said any postseason format should keep as many teams alive as long as possible and shouldn't discourage teams from scheduling tough nonconference games.
No verbatim quote recorded for this entry; summary of the source only.
At Big Ten media days, Petitti said an expanded playoff would make the regular season better by keeping more teams in the CFP race into November and December, while acknowledging it could eliminate conference title games.
“That's not necessarily breaking away, that doesn't mean you're not going to play anybody else. But is there a path to have rules that we can at least operate from the conference?”
Asked about Sankey's 'breakaway' remarks, said the question is whether conference-based rules are needed if the Protect College Sports Act fails; that is not a breakaway, but the Big Ten is preparing for every scenario.
“The bill isn't going to stop every possible thing. That's not what it's intended to do. In areas like eligibility, transfer, legislating litigation around NIL, states trying to come over the top of the system, and the settlement, this will clean all that up, and so that's really critical.”
At Big Ten basketball media days, said the Big Ten is "aggressively supporting" the Protect College Sports Act and is optimistic it passes the House, arguing it would settle eligibility, transfer and NIL fights and preempt conflicting state laws.
“This conference has got 18 strong members. We're focused on that. There's lots of things that we think we can do inside the conference to continue to grow the position that we have with the 18 members.”
Said the Big Ten has had no expansion talks even though the Protect College Sports Act would let the 18-team league grow to its 20-school cap.
“We need to play more good games. I think we've been really clear about that. We think that the season can start way better than it does. We're committed to that. If we get to a 24-team Playoff, you are going to see many more competitive games scheduled. That's my belief.”
Pledged the Big Ten would schedule many more strong nonconference games if the CFP expands to 24 teams, but said that change has to follow expansion rather than come first.
“The bill has already outperformed. I think if you'd have said back in the summer, it could get the support that it got and [be] bipartisan, a tribute to Senators Cruz, [Maria] Cantwell and [Eric] Schmitt for the work they did. … It's already done better. So I'm just going to continue to be optimistic that members of the House will listen to the groups that are involved and take guidance.”
At Big Ten basketball media days (reported by On3 on Oct. 12, 2026), said the Protect College Sports Act's 77-22 Senate margin already beat expectations and that the Big Ten's job now is lobbying House members.
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