Northwestern Names Bengals Scout Christian Sarkisian Athletic Department GM

Northwestern University has appointed Christian Sarkisian, a former Cincinnati Bengals scout, as the first general manager of its athletics department to manage salary cap and revenue-sharing matters, with a focus on the football program. Sarkisian, who previously worked with Northwestern football from 2015 to 2017 and holds a master's degree in sports administration from the university, will lead athlete evaluations, contract negotiations, and oversee the school's name, image, and likeness clearinghouse. His hiring comes as Northwestern prepares for potential changes stemming from a $2.8 billion antitrust settlement against the NCAA, which could allow schools to share significant revenue directly with student-athletes. Sarkisian brings valuable NFL experience, having contributed to the Bengals' scouting and personnel decisions during their Super Bowl and AFC Championship appearances, and was praised by both Northwestern's athletic director and Bengals President for his expertise. Additionally, Sarkisian has strong local ties, having grown up attending Northwestern games and with a family legacy connected to the football program through his grandfather, a College Football Hall of Famer. His role will also involve working closely with coaches on scholarship budgets and recruiting strategies as Northwestern navigates this evolving collegiate sports landscape.