Craig Thompson (sports administrator)

Craig Thompson is a prominent figure in American college athletics administration, best known for his tenure as the Commissioner of the Mountain West Conference (MW).

Thompson served as the Mountain West Conference's Commissioner from its inception in 1999 until his retirement in December 2022. During his time, he oversaw the conference's growth and development, including expansion in membership, negotiating media rights agreements, and navigating the changing landscape of college sports. He played a significant role in the Mountain West's pursuit of and eventual securing of an automatic Bowl Championship Series (BCS) bid for its champion. He also led the conference through periods of significant conference realignment and changes to the college football playoff system.

Prior to his role at the Mountain West Conference, Thompson held positions at the Southwest Conference (SWC) and the Metro Conference. His experience spans multiple aspects of college athletics administration, including television negotiations, marketing, and championship event management.

Thompson's leadership and contributions to college athletics have been recognized throughout his career. He is considered a key figure in the evolution of the Mountain West Conference and its position in the landscape of NCAA Division I athletics.