Big Ten Conference Names David Bassity Senior Vice President, Communications

ROSEMONT, Ill. – The Big Ten Conference has named David Bassity as senior vice president, communications, effective July 20, 2026. Bassity brings more than two decades of communications, media relations, and strategic storytelling experience across both professional and collegiate athletics. Throughout his career, Bassity has built a reputation as a collaborative leader, trusted advisor, and strategic communicator with extensive experience managing complex issues, cultivating media relationships, and driving impactful storytelling at the highest levels of sport. 

In his role, Bassity will lead the Conference's communications strategy and media relations efforts, helping shape and elevate the Big Ten's narrative to effectively tell the stories of its institutions, student-athletes, coaches, and stakeholders during a transformative era for college athletics. 

Most recently, Bassity served as vice president for football communications with the Atlanta Falcons, where he was the organization's primary communications strategist and spokesperson, working closely with ownership, executive leadership, coaches, and players. During his seven seasons with the Falcons, he played a key role in organizational communications, crisis management, media strategy, and international brand-building efforts. He also guided communications through significant organizational transitions while helping shape and amplify the franchise's narrative across traditional, digital, and owned media platforms. 

Prior to his NFL tenure, Bassity spent more than a decade in collegiate athletics communications. He served as senior associate athletics director for strategic communications and digital media at the University of Houston, where he oversaw communications, digital media, and creative functions while serving as the department's public spokesperson and helping elevate the national profile of Cougar Athletics. His work earned multiple national recognitions, including Football Writers Association of America Super 11 Awards, while helping secure prominent national media coverage for the university and its student-athletes. Prior to Houston, David spent five years in athletics communications at the University of Oklahoma. 

"We are excited to welcome David to the Big Ten Conference," said Tony Petitti, Commissioner of the Big Ten Conference. "David is a highly respected communications leader who has successfully guided organizations through moments of growth, change, and opportunity while building strong relationships across the media landscape. As college athletics continues to evolve, David's strategic expertise and proven ability to shape and amplify compelling stories will be invaluable to Big Ten institutions, student-athletes, and communities." 

"The Big Ten stands at the forefront of college athletics, and the opportunity to help tell the stories of one of the most influential conferences in sports is incredibly exciting," said Bassity. "I look forward to working alongside Commissioner Petitti, the conference staff, and our member institutions to build on the Big Ten's momentum and further elevate its impact across the collegiate sports landscape." 

Bassity is a graduate of the University of Oklahoma, where he received bachelor’s degrees in public relations and general business. 

Excel Search & Advisory was retained by the Big Ten Conference to lead the search for this role.