AAC officially rebrands as American Conference

By Kevin Kelley -

The American Athletic Conference (AAC) has officially announced a rebrand as “American Conference” on first reference and “American” thereafter.

The American Conference has also revealed a new tagline, “Built to Rise,” as well as new visual identity and brand ambassador, named Soar the Eagle.

“The American has built a brand that differentiates us in a crowded collegiate landscape by establishing and elevating what makes us distinctive,” said American Conference Commissioner Tim Pernetti. “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.”

Below is a look at the new brand identity for the American Conference and its brand ambassador, Soar the Eagle.

American Conference

“A brand is more than a name. Over the past year, we stepped back, listened, and involved our community.” Pernetti said. “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. The student-athletes and their experience will always be our north star.”

The 2025 American Conference football schedule kicks off Thursday, Aug. 28 with three American teams in action, beginning with the South Florida Bulls hosting the Boise State Broncos at 5:30pm ET on ESPN. Later, the East Carolina Pirates visit the NC State Wolfpack (7:00pm ET, ACCN) and the UAB Blazers host the Alabama State Hornets (8:30pm ET, ESPN+).

The 2025 American Conference Football Championship Game is scheduled for Friday, Dec. 5 at the home stadium of the higher-seeded team. The game will be televised by ABC at 8:00pm ET.

FOOTBALL SCHEDULES

American Football Schedule

College Football Schedule

Comments (11)

Lipstick on leftover pigs…
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At least their logo with an A doesn’t have to change. Creating a mascot? That’s hokey. Reminiscent of Ole Miss’s nonsense some years ago with their Rebel Bear, and anthropomorphic Landshark Guy, and Hotty Toddy guy.
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So when the conference isn’t doing well do they rename the mascot Cold Sore?

American Conference is much better title than Amercian Athletic Conference.

To me, this conference has always been the American to me, so to me, it’s the same as it always has been.

I see Memphis tried to pay the Big 12 to let them in for $200 million and got a flat refusal.

So much for their claims to have the financial backing to just squeeze into P4, LOL!

They’re financial backing claim might still be true but their “brand” value just proved to be worth considerably less by the market.

Wasn’t their previous branding The American? This doesn’t seem like a change, just another attempt to get people to stop calling them the AAC, an acronym they never liked.