The American Athletic Conference (AAC) is changing its name to “American Conference,” or simply “American,” as part of a rebranding effort. On Monday morning, several reports emerged that the league is dropping its old name after being dubbed the AAC since 2013. The conference later announced the rebrand on their website.
Along with the name change, the conference announced its new mascot, “Soar,” the eagle. The American’s new website will launch on Thursday amid its media days in Charlotte, North Carolina. In a statement, commissioner Tim Pernetti said, “A brand is more than a name.”
“Over the past year, we stepped back, listened and involved our community. That’s how real, lasting identity is built. We’re not slick, we’re strong. This brand defines who we are, service and mission — driven institutions of higher learning with highly competitive athletics and deeply committed leaders.”
Soar is reportedly the first icon for an entire conference. Along with the announcement, the American unveiled graphics of Soar wearing football and basketball gear in the league’s colors.
The American Conference consists of 15 member schools, eight of which played in bowls last season and clinched the Bowl Challenge Cup with an aggregate 6-2 postseason record. The American was one of five conferences that boasted three teams with at least 10 victories this past season. Other conferences included the ACC, Big Ten, Big 12 and SEC.
In 2013, the AAC was created as a result of a scramble with the Big East. Non-football schools in the conference peeled away from the group to build a new league while retaining the Big East name. Since then, the American has seen member institutions enter and leave the conference.
Nonetheless, the conference found success as the top Group of Five football conference for most of its 12-year run. The AAC was the only G5 conference to be represented at the four-team College Football Playoff after former member Cincinnati accomplished the feat in 2021. The school departed the conference two years later to join the Big 12.
Ahead of its 13th season, the American is expected to be one of the most competitive conferences outside the Power Four.
“The American has built a brand that differentiates us in a crowded collegiate landscape by establishing and elevating what makes us distinctive,” Pernetti said. “This modernization is rooted in who we are and where we’re headed. It prioritizes clarity, momentum and the competitive advantage driving every part of our conference forward.”
