Keynote Speaker: Kevin Warren

President & Chief Executive Officer of the Chicago Bears

New Paragraph

Come hear what God is doing in the lives of coaches and athletes through FCA!
Dress: Business Casual

The Chicago Bears named Kevin Warren President and Chief Executive Officer on Jan. 12, 2023. In his current role, he oversees the club's football operations, all business operations and is leading the team's new stadium efforts.

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 will be only the fifth Bears president in club history following George S. Halas, George "Mugs" Halas, Jr., Michael McCaskey and Phillips.

"Kevin is a man of integrity, respect and excellence, all of which are critical core values of the Chicago Bears, and we welcome his perspective and diverse thought to lead this storied organization,” said Bears Chairman George H. McCaskey. “He is a proven leader who has many times stepped outside of his comfort zone to challenge status quo for unconventional growth and prosperity. In this role, Warren will serve in the primary leadership position of the franchise to help bring the next Super Bowl championship trophy home to Bears fans.”

A veteran executive of 21 years in the NFL, Warren joins the Bears after spending the last three years as Commissioner of the Big Ten Conference, which is comprised of 14 world class universities with over 10,000 student-athletes participating in 28 official conference sports. 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 of over $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.

"I am honored and recognize the responsibility bestowed upon me to lead the Chicago Bears during this exciting and pivotal time for the franchise. I look forward to building on the rich tradition that started with George Halas and connecting with the unique and vibrant fanbase in Chicago,” said Warren. “I join the Chicago Bears with gratitude and drive to carry out and build upon the legacy and spirit of this founding franchise and my predecessors. This is a franchise that is respected in all of professional sports, and I am humbled to be selected as the next President & CEO of the Chicago Bears. I sincerely thank Virginia McCaskey, George McCaskey, the McCaskey family, Ted Phillips and the search team, for the responsibility and trust placed in me to lead the Chicago Bears and deliver championships to Chicago.”

“Kevin is going to be a tremendous resource and I am excited to get started with him,” said general manager Ryan Poles. “In my time spent with him during the interview process, it quickly became apparent his resumé and business acumen will be a powerful asset to helping improve our organization and ultimately reach our goal to be a championship organization.”

Prior to his three 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.

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.