The Big East Conference announced on September 1, 2026 that Tim Brosnan will assume the role of commissioner, succeeding Val Ackerman, who is stepping down after a decade at the league’s helm. The decision was made by the conference’s 11 school presidents, who cited Brosnan’s proven ability to generate revenue and align with the league’s mission.
A Surprising Choice
Brosnan arrives with a résumé steeped in professional baseball rather than college athletics. Over 24 years with Major League Baseball, he negotiated high‑value media rights deals and most recently led Georgetown University’s Name, Image and Likeness collective. Sports Business Journal recognized him as one of the ‘50 Most Influential People in Sports,’ underscoring his impact on the business side of athletics.
Reviving the Big East
The conference, long celebrated for its basketball pedigree, now faces a landscape dominated by football revenues and shifting media dynamics. Brosnan’s mandate is to bolster the league’s financial stability while preserving its competitive edge in Division I basketball. His experience in crafting lucrative broadcast agreements is expected to translate into stronger financial footing for member institutions.
Navigating Player Empowerment
Beyond balance sheets, Brosnan will contend with the growing influence of player empowerment and roster instability across college sports. He has expressed a commitment to supporting student‑athletes’ rights while ensuring the conference remains attractive to top talent. His background in negotiating collective agreements positions him to address these evolving dynamics.
Rev. Brian J. Shanley, president of St. John’s and chair of the Big East Board of Directors, highlighted Brosnan’s leadership in revenue generation and his alignment with the league’s core values. Shanley noted that Brosnan’s deep ties to Georgetown — where he graduated in 1980 and served on the Board of Regents — provide a unique perspective that resonates with the conference’s tradition and future aspirations.