Big Ten Tip-Off Luncheon Returns to Chicago

Conference Commissioner and former champions to discuss tournament and expansion

Feb. 21, 2026 at 10:15am

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The Chicago Sports Commission is hosting its annual Business of Sport Speaker Series: Big Ten Tip-Off Luncheon during the Big Ten Men's Basketball Tournament. The event will feature Big Ten Conference Commissioner Tony Petitti and former Big Ten champions, who will share insider perspectives on the tournament's return to Chicago and the conference's expansion to 18 teams. The luncheon will be moderated by CBS News Sports Director Ryan Baker.

Why it matters

The Big Ten Tip-Off Luncheon provides a unique opportunity for sports business leaders and fans to get an inside look at the strategic decisions and challenges facing the Big Ten Conference as it continues to grow and evolve. The conference's expansion and the tournament's return to Chicago are significant developments that will impact collegiate basketball in the Midwest.

The details

The Chicago Sports Commission's Business of Sport Speaker Series: Big Ten Tip-Off Luncheon will bring together key figures from the Big Ten Conference to discuss the state of the league. Attendees will hear from Commissioner Tony Petitti and former Big Ten champions about the conference's bold expansion to 18 teams and the return of the men's basketball tournament to Chicago, a city with deep ties to the Big Ten.

  • The luncheon will be held on February 18, 2026, during the Big Ten Men's Basketball Tournament.

The players

Tony Petitti

The Commissioner of the Big Ten Conference.

Ryan Baker

The Sports Director for CBS News, who will moderate the luncheon.

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What they’re saying

“The Big Ten Tip-Off Luncheon is a must-attend event for anyone interested in the business of collegiate basketball. It's a unique opportunity to hear directly from the conference leadership and former champions about the exciting changes happening in the Big Ten.”

— Ryan Baker, CBS News Sports Director

What’s next

The Big Ten Men's Basketball Tournament will take place in Chicago from March 12-16, 2026, immediately following the Tip-Off Luncheon.

The takeaway

The Big Ten Tip-Off Luncheon provides a valuable insider's perspective on the strategic decisions and challenges facing the conference as it continues to grow and evolve, with a focus on the return of the men's basketball tournament to Chicago and the conference's ambitious expansion plans.