The Latest Breaking News from Jim Phillips

College Athletics Has Two Distinct Types of Conference Commissioners Now

The Big East’s reported new boss isn’t a businessman—he’s a business, man.

Sports Illustrated · Aug 3

Tony Petitti’s Big Ten Keeps Winning. Now His 24-Team Playoff Push Might Be Too.

With championship momentum at his back and College Football Playoff expansion in his sights, the Big Ten commissioner has never commanded a brighter spotlight.

Sports Illustrated · Jul 29

ACC Draws Line Against SEC and Big Ten Push for Conference-Specific Rules

Commissioner Jim Phillips says letting each league write its own rules would only deepen the governance problems already plaguing college sports.

Sports Illustrated · Jul 15

The College Football Playoff’s Future Rests on the Big Ten. Will Tony Petitti Compromise?

The other three power conferences have coalesced around a move to 16 teams, while the Big Ten favors 24 teams and a shake-up of the conference title games.

Sports Illustrated · Dec 16, 2025

‘Totally Out of Bounds’: Big 12’s Brett Yormark Blasts Notre Dame AD’s ‘Egregious’ Comments on CFP Snub

The Big 12 commissioner rebuked Pete Bevacqua for going after the ACC and Jim Phillips after the selection committee flipped the Fighting Irish with Miami in its final rankings.

Sports Illustrated · Dec 10, 2025

Forde-Yard Dash: Tricky Math Complicates ACC’s Conference Scheduling Future

One possibility is applying games against Notre Dame to league standings. Plus, an updated look at all conferences’ strength of schedule through Week 2.

Sports Illustrated · Sep 8, 2025

College Sports’ Revenue-Sharing Era Faces Early Concerns Over Collectives

Football coaches, players and administrators shared skepticism and some hope in a post–House settlement world as they await College Sports Commission’s rulings.

Sports Illustrated · Jul 24, 2025

Instead of Hammering CFP Selection Committee, SMU Should Celebrate Its Decisions

The Mustangs were the final team into the 2024 playoff because the committee took into account all of the subjective things college football teams and fans say they care about.

Sports Illustrated · Jul 23, 2025

SEC’s Sankey Wants to Reshape College Sports Without the Bad-Guy Blowback

SEC commissioner Greg Sankey is working with the Big Ten to widen the gap between the haves and have-nots in college sports. He seems surprised that’s not being received well.

Sports Illustrated · May 27, 2025

Notre Dame–USC Football Series in Jeopardy, But Irish Looking to Extend Rivalry

The 2025 game is the last in the current contract between the blueblood programs, and the Trojans offered only a one-year extension.

Sports Illustrated · May 19, 2025