Kevin Warren was named President and Chief Executive Officer of the Chicago Bears on January 12, 2023, and formally assumed the role on April 17, 2023. In his role, Warren is responsible for all business operations and football operations, while also overseeing the team's transformative stadium development project.
Warren is the first Black President and CEO in club history and the first President and CEO hired from outside the organization. Warren succeeded Ted Phillips, who served in the same capacity since February 10, 1999, becoming just the fifth President in Bears history, following George S. Halas, George "Mugs" Halas, Jr., Michael McCaskey and Phillips.
Warren was honored at the 2025 NFL Women's Forum with the second-annual Buddy Teevens Forward Progress Award, presented to an individual who champions and advocates for the inclusion of women in football. NFL Women's Forum founder Sam Rapoport lauded Warren's progression and advancements, including assembling 'one of the most diverse leadership teams in sports,' since joining the Bears in 2023.
A veteran executive of 24 years in the NFL, Warren joined the Bears in 2023 after spending nearly four years as Commissioner of the Big Ten Conference. 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 that will generate over $7 billion during a seven-year period,and generates $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.
Prior to his nearly four years at the Big Ten Conference, Warren served as the Chief Operating Officer of the Minnesota Vikings (2015-19), one of the most influential, progressive, and profitable periods in the organization's history. As COO of the Vikings, Warren oversaw all aspects of the business operations of the franchise. Warren, who spent a decade-and-a-half in Minnesota, joined the organization in 2005, and throughout his tenure, served in a variety ofsenior leadership capacities for the club.
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, led by the Wilf Family, in their purchase of the team in 2005. In September of 2013, Warren was named a member of the NFL Committee on Workplace Diversity. Since joining the Bears in 2023, Warrenhas served as a member of the NFL's Diversity Committee.
Prior to his tenure with Minnesota, Warren served as Vice President of Player Programs & Football Legal Counsel for the St. Louis Rams from 1997-99, contributing to a franchise that secured a World Championship with a victory in Super Bowl XXXIV. Additionally, Warren held the roles of Vice President of Football Administration with the Rams (2000) and Senior Vice President of Business Operations & General Counsel for the Detroit Lions (2001-03).
For undergraduate studies, Warren attended the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, playing basketball for the Quakers' 1981-82 Ivy League Championship team, before earning his undergraduate degree in Business Administration from Grand Canyon University in 1986, where he was a member of the basketball team. Following his graduation from Grand Canyon University, Warren attended Arizona State University, earning his Master of Business Administration in 1988, before attending the University of Notre Dame Law School, earning his Juris Doctor in 1990.
In recognition of his contributions on the basketball court, Warren was inducted into the GCU Athletic Hall of Fame in 2012.
Warren and his wife, Greta, currently reside in the Chicagoland area and have two children – daughter, Peri, and son, Powers.
