The Big Ten Conference and Big Ten Network (BTN) today announced the multi-year renewal of Teachers Insurance and Annuity Association of America (TIAA) as the Official Retirement Partner of the Big Ten Conference. As part of the renewal, TIAA continues as the title sponsor of the Big Ten Men’s Basketball Tournament and the presenting sponsor for Big Ten Basketball Media Days. TIAA will also have a significant on-site presence at eight Big Ten sports arenas and stadiums through the partnership.
More than a century ago, TIAA was founded to help educators retire with dignity. That same purpose is what drew TIAA to the Big Ten, an association of 18 world-class universities where education and public service are shared values. Together, the organizations are using the reach of college sports to bring financial education to more educators, students and workers in America.
"Since 1918, TIAA has existed for one simple reason: to help people who help others retire with confidence," said Michael Bieselin, Chief Marketing Officer, Retirement Solutions, TIAA. "Our partnership with the Big Ten reflects our unwavering commitment to higher education and allows us to drive meaningful impact across campuses, throughout communities and in classrooms. When we help a student understand money for the first time, or shine a light on an educator who quietly changes lives, we're not just putting our name on a tournament. We're investing in the same people we were built to serve."
As part of the renewed partnership, the award-winning Essentials by TIAA financial literacy program will make its way to Big Ten students across all 18 institutions, geared toward teaching them about retirement strategies and providing tools for a strong financial education. Because TIAA believes planning for a secure financial future starts at the beginning of a career, the program is designed to reach students early and give them the knowledge to make confident decisions for a lifetime.
In addition, TIAA is launching the inaugural TIAA Big Ten Educator of the Year award in partnership with Big Ten and Folds of Honor, whose mission advances educational access for military and first responder families and many first-generation students. The program will identify a professor at each Big Ten campus who is making a difference in the classroom and in their larger community. The program honors those at the heart of TIAA's founding mission who set so many Big Ten students on their path to financial security, aligned with Folds of Honor’s commitment to serving and creating opportunity for the next generation. The winners from each of the 18 Big Ten schools will be highlighted at the 2027 TIAA Big Ten Men’s Basketball Tournament.
"The Big Ten has always been about more than competition. It's about character, community, and preparing young people for what comes next," said Tyler Kupper, Vice President, Corporate Partnerships, Big Ten Conference. "TIAA shares that conviction. This renewal isn't just about sponsorship; it's about two organizations coming together to give students and educators the tools they need to build secure futures. We're proud to continue this work alongside a partner that cares deeply about what happens both on and off the court."
The partnership's community impact extends beyond the court and campus. During the 2026 TIAA Big Ten Men's Basketball Tournament in Chicago, TIAA introduced the Shots for Scholars initiative, donating $50,000 to support students on their financial journeys. As part of this expanded program, TIAA has committed to making a donation to Folds of Honor for every free throw made during the 2027 TIAA Big Ten Men’s Basketball Tournament in Indianapolis. It's another expression of a belief that runs through the broader partnership: investing in students is investing in communities.
"Every family we serve has given something this country can never repay. Education is how we honor that sacrifice and carry their legacy forward," said Folds of Honor founder and CEO Lt Col Dan Rooney. "A great teacher can change the direction of a life, and so can a scholarship. TIAA understands that, and we're proud to stand with them to celebrate the educators shaping the next generation. When the free throws start falling in Indianapolis, every one of them will mean something to a military or first responder family.”
TIAA will continue to have a significant in-arena presence at the 2027 Big Ten Men’s Basketball Tournament, taking place March 9-14 in Indianapolis. TIAA will also continue to have activations at conference tournaments and promotional assets across BTN's linear, digital, and social media platforms, bringing financial wellness messaging to millions of fans throughout the season.
For more information, please visit: https://www.tiaa.org/public/land/big-ten.