Pernetti brings fire, transparency, and vision to American Conference Media Day
The American Conference came out swinging in Charlotte on Friday, and it started at the top.
In a wide-ranging opening speech that lasted over 20 minutes, Commissioner Tim Pernetti addressed everything from realignment to the transfer portal to the future of the College Football Playoff — and he didn’t hold back.
“We’ve sunset ‘American Athletic Conference’ and the ‘AAC’ acronym,” Pernetti said. “At the heart is a simplified name: American Conference — a name our fans and the media have used for years, and now, one we’re proudly owning.”
That bold move was part of a full brand refresh that also includes a new tagline (“Built To Rise”) and the introduction of “Soar the Eagle,” the first-ever conference mascot in college athletics history. Pernetti said the rebrand generated over 1,600 media mentions and $9.4 million in earned advertising value since its launch Monday. But beyond the hype, Pernetti dug into the issues shaping college football’s future starting with the controversial House settlement.
“We’ve opted in — including to the revenue-sharing model — because it’s critical to our future and another illustration of our commitment and consistent investment in American student-athletes,” Pernetti said.
He also voiced concerns about the transfer portal and its impact on postseason play, citing how Army lost a bowl opponent due to Marshall’s depleted roster during the December window.
“What are we doing?” Pernetti asked. “We need one portal window at the appropriate time of the year. A transfer beyond the first should perhaps require a year in waiting.”
When it came to the CFP, Pernetti stood firm. He made it clear the American wants a format where champions from all corners of the sport — not just the power leagues — can earn their spot.
“Our position is this: We are supportive of a format that preserves our access and provides the opportunity to earn more,” he said. “Win it on the field — a true merit-based system.”
And while acknowledging the legal MOU that gives the SEC and Big Ten greater power in playoff decisions, he didn’t shy away from defending the rest of the sport.
“Let’s not send a message to certain football student-athletes that their opportunity isn’t as important as others,” Pernetti said. “The collective voice should reflect the entire sport.”
Pernetti also talked business literally urging college sports leaders to stop “apologizing” for trying to generate revenue. He pitched ideas like adding non-scholarship sports to boost tuition and consolidating media rights across all FBS conferences to increase revenue.
“I’ve seen the numbers,” Pernetti said. “Revenues can triple.”
And through it all, he brought the focus back to what matters most the athletes.
“These two days are about you, your hard work, your stories, and the season ahead,” he said to the players in attendance. “Represent us with passion, grit, and integrity.”
The American Conference may not have the flash or resources of the Big Ten or SEC. But if Pernetti’s speech was any indication, it’s not backing down from the fight.