wolf of wall street Clips of Leonardo DiCaprio’s Jordan Belfort announcing he’s not leaving have become commonplace in the sports world. Travis Kelce used it to confirm that he will return for the 2025 NFL season. Giannis Antetokounmpo used it last month to confirm his allegiance to the Milwaukee Bucks. Now Conference USA commissioner Tim Pernetti has joined the club.
Penetti’s statement confirms that he will continue to serve as American League commissioner after he was named a finalist for the NFL Players Association executive director position, a vacancy that was filled on Tuesday, March 17, by former Green Bay Packers and Cleveland Browns center J.C. Tretter.
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Penetti issued a statement on the evening of March 17, emphasizing his commitment to the United States and college athletics:
“I believe in the mission of college athletics, the academic opportunities it provides and the life-changing experiences it creates for its student-athletes,” Pernetti said in a statement. “I have deep respect for my colleagues in college athletics, Conference USA, and those who work every day to strengthen the conference. I am especially grateful to the presidents of the United States for their commitment to the future of the conference. Their leadership on key decisions, particularly in recent weeks, including discussions regarding grant entitlements, exit fees and strengthening conference office resources, will allow us to innovate at the pace we need right now. These decisions create stability, strengthen the direction of the conference, and allow America to move forward.”
Pernetti referenced his conversations with the NFLPA in his statement, saying, “I want to thank the NFLPA for the time and consideration they put into our discussions. I also want our Team USA team to know that I remain focused on the unfinished business at the conference and fully committed to continuing the momentum we have built together.”
Penetti will serve as Conference USA commissioner effective June 1, 2024, succeeding longtime commissioner Mike Aresco, who oversaw the transition of the former Big East Conference to Conference USA in 2013. The former Rutgers tight end is preparing for his third football season as commissioner, a season in which Team USA Tulane qualified for the College Football Playoff for the second time in the event’s history.
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For a conference that has experienced significant turnover in recent memory, stability will be a theme for Team USA in 2026 as it retains its commissioner and all 14 football programs without any structural restructuring changes.