In his opening remarks at the AAC Kickoff, commissioner Tim Pernetti continued to challenge the status quo and push the envelope for college athletics.
Tim Pernetti made waves when he was introduced as the next commissioner of the AAC in April, championing bold ideals while relentlessly embracing a desire to challenge the status quo. Months later, as he began his introductory remarks in front of assembled media at the AAC Kickoff, the messaging hadn’t changed.
“From day one it’s been a priority to do a deep dive to understand the brand,” Pernetti said. “What makes us different? Where do we excel? How do we get stronger?”
Those questions have opened a door few in collegiate sports have been willing to walk through. Pernetti touched on a host of daring ideas to build value for membership institutions and student-athletes during his remarks. Commercial investment, conference naming rights, jersey patches with revenue flowing directly to student-athletes, private capital and an additional playoff for those who don’t qualify for the 12-team field were all talking points during his half hour on the mic.
One thing remained clear through it all. Pernetti will turn over every stone.
“It’s 100 percent possible to break free from the status quo, to embrace innovation,” Pernetti said, quickly reminding all in the room that “We’re just talking about these things. It’s time to modernize the business and preserve what’s special and college sports. This is what we’re doing.”
Pernetti announced a multi-year agreement with WSC Sports to create and distribute AI-generated, real-time and postgame video for football and men’s and women’s basketball. He also shared that the MVP trophy for the AAC Championship Game would be renamed to honor former commissioner Mike Aresco.
Those seem to just be the begging for Pernetti, who seems to be flourishing in the turbulent environment surrounding college athletics today.
“If collegiate athletics is in such bad shape, do you really think we’d be experiencing this accelerated growth and outside entities would want to invest in us?” Pernetti asked. “The fact is, the enterprise is worth investing in.”
From AI-driven content to even larger aspirations, one thing is clear. The AAC will be at the forefront of change in collegiate athletics, right where Pernetti wants it to be.
