I am all for streaming. I am even thinking about what is the next evolution… of being able to control content, create opportunities to leverage from a financial standpoint and to be able to meet customers where they are.
On the changing landscape of broadcast networks and economics of NFL teams.
Speaker
Kevin Warren
Kevin Warren was named President and Chief Executive Officer of the Chicago Bears on Jan. 12, 2023. In his role, Warren leads all football and business operations, while overseeing the team's new stadium project. Warren is the first Black President and CEO in club history and the first President and CEO hired from outside the organization. He succeeds Ted Phillips, who served in the same capacity since February 10, 1999. Warren is only the fifth President in Bears history, following George S. Halas, George "Mugs" Halas, Jr., Michael McCaskey and Phillips. A veteran executive of 23 years in the NFL, Warren joined the Bears after spending nearly four years as Commissioner of the Big Ten Conference. Warren served as the sixth commissioner in the 127-year history of the conference. He was the first Black leader to serve as commissioner of any Power Five conference. In his time with the Big Ten, Warren guided the conference to an expansion to 16 schools beginning in 2024, adding the University of Southern California and the University of California Los Angeles, as well as leading the negotiation of an unprecedented media rights deal that will generate $7 billion over seven years, bringing in $1 billion annually. Warren also substantially increased the talent of color represented in Big Ten Conference office staff, introduced the first basketball media day that featured both men's and women's teams and players equally, created the Big Ten Equality Coalition, a nonpartisan group representing all 14 member institutions committed to combat racism, and developed a mental health and wellness cabinet. Prior to his nearly four years at the Big Ten Conference, Warren served as the Chief Operating Officer of the Minnesota Vikings (2015-2019). As COO, he oversaw all aspects of the business operations of the franchise. He joined the Vikings in 2005 and served in various senior leadership capacities for the team. While in Minnesota, Warren played a critical role in all business, financial, legal and operational aspects related to U.S. Bank Stadium and was involved in the design, construction, business, legal and operational components of the stadium which hosted Super Bowl LII. He also played a key role in the design, development and planning of Twin Cities Orthopedics Performance Center, the Vikings Headquarters in Eagan, Minnesota, in addition to the ancillary real estate development of Viking Lakes. Under Warren's leadership, the Vikings restructured the organization with an emphasis on promoting women to key executive positions. Prior to working for the Vikings, he represented the Vikings' current ownership group in their purchase of the team in 2005. In September 2013, Warren was named a member of the NFL Committee on Workplace Diversity. Since his arrival to the Bears in 2023, he was named to the NFL's Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee. Warren was Vice President of Player Programs & Football Legal Counsel for the St. Louis Rams (1997-1999) and a member of the Super Bowl XXXIV championship team, as well as the Vice President of Football Administration (2000) and Senior Vice President of Business Operations & General Counsel for the Detroit Lions (2001-2003). For undergraduate studies, Warren attended the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, playing basketball for the Quakers' 1981-82 Ivy League Championship team. Warren earned his undergraduate degree in Business Administration from Grand Canyon University in 1986 where he was a member of the basketball team and was inducted into the GCU Athletic Hall of Fame in 2012. Following his graduation from Grand Canyon University, Warren attended Arizona State University where he earned his Master of Business Administration in 1988. He subsequently attended the University of Notre Dame Law School, where he earned his Juris Doctor in 1990. Warren and his wife, Greta, currently reside in the Chicago area and have two children, daughter, Peri, and son, Powers.
Moderator
Sean Connolly
Sean M. Connolly is President and Chief Executive Officer of Conagra Brands. Sean joined Conagra Brands in March 2015. Prior to joining Conagra Brands, Sean was President and CEO of The Hillshire Brands Company from the time of its formation as an independent company in 2012 to its sale to Tyson Foods in August 2014. Before leading Hillshire Brands, Sean was CEO for Sara Lee North American Retail and Foodservice, as well as President, Campbell Soup North America. He also managed numerous brands in the food and beverage division at Procter & Gamble. Sean has used his general management, marketing and innovation skills to improve business performance across a diverse range of food and beverage categories and channels of trade, with a focus on innovation and disciplined execution. Sean earned his bachelor’s degree in economics from Vanderbilt University and his Master of Business Administration from the University of Texas at Austin. Sean is a member of the board of SC Johnson, and is active on several non-profit boards, including Consumer Brands Association, Northwestern Memorial Hospital and Vanderbilt University.
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