The Big Ten has hired Tony Petitti as its new commissioner, the league office announced Wednesday.

Petitti has spent the last eight years working for Major League Baseball, first as chief operating officer and later as head of MLB Network. He has also worked as a sports television executive for CBS and ABC.

“The Big Ten Conference is in an extraordinary position of strength,” said Darryl J. Pines, president of the University of Maryland and chairman of the search committee. “Tony’s capabilities to navigate the complexities of changing marketplace environments, history as a collaborative leader, and passion for academics and collegiate athletics made him the right leader, at the right time, for the Big Ten Conference.”

Petitti replaces Kevin Warren, who will step down May 15 to become president of the NFL’s Chicago Bears. He takes over as the Big Ten prepares to welcome USC and UCLA into the conference and the league’s $1 billion broadcast contract set to begin.

“At this important and transformational time in collegiate athletics, it is truly my great honor to be chosen by the Council of Presidents and Chancellors as the commissioner of the Big Ten Conference,” Petitti said. “I am energized to work alongside the best athletics directors, coaches, conference staff and board in the country as — together — we continue to elevate the academic and athletic experiences and resources for our 14, soon-to-be 16, world-class universities with nearly 10,000 incredible student-athletes.

“Thank you to the extraordinary people and places that have led me to this next challenge in my career. I am ready to get to work for the Big Ten Conference community.”