Report: Big Ten commissioner Jim Delany to step down in 2020
The finish line for Jim Delany's career as Big Ten commissioner has apparently come into sight.
Nicole Auerbach of USA TODAY Sports reports that a person with direct knowledge of the situation confirmed to her Tuesday that Delany is planning to step down as Big Ten commissioner in 2020. According to Auerbach, the person of knowledge requested anonymity because a timeline for Delany's plans has not yet been made public.
Holding the position of commissioner since 1989, Delany has overseen many improvements to the conference, such as the introduction of the Big Ten Network which launched in 2007. Delany told reporters at Big Ten Media Days on Tuesday that he is unlikely to still be commissioner once the current media rights deal ends in 2022.
"I have a lot of energy and a lot of interest in what's going on in the college space today," Delany said. "I will be around for a bit. Whether I'm around here for six years is probably a little bit beyond how I see it."