Ben Tario serves as the Chief Operating & Business Officer of the Atlantic Coast Conference. Since joining the Conference in 2007, he has held a broad range of leadership roles across technology, football operations, multimedia, legal affairs, business, and finance.
As COO and a member of the ACC’s executive staff, Tario is responsible for overseeing the Conference’s business and financial operations, including budget strategy, revenue generation, and long-term financial planning. He also leads human resources, information technology, and office operations, and shares oversight of sport administration. Externally, he serves as a primary liaison to ACC athletic directors, Board members—including the Finance and Audit & Risk Management Committees—and key partners such as ESPN.
Prior to joining the ACC, Tario worked in football administration at the BIG EAST Conference and held roles in athletic operations and communications at Nova Southeastern University and Florida State University. He also spent time with the Miami Dolphins.
A native of Pleasanton, California, and later Englewood, Florida, Tario earned a bachelor’s degree in Sport Management (2002) and a master’s degree in Sport Administration (2003) from Florida State University. He went on to receive a JD from Nova Southeastern University in 2006 (and is a member of the Florida Bar), an Executive Certificate from the Sports Management Institute in 2011, and an MBA from Elon University in 2012.
Tario was named to Sports Business Journal’s “Forty Under 40” list in 2020 and received the NCAA HPERD North Carolina Sports Management Professional of the Year Award in 2011 for his mentorship and student development efforts through internship programs.
He remains active in the community, having served on several boards and supported causes such as Habitat for Humanity, Big Brothers Big Sisters, the Greensboro Cerebral Palsy Association, and Backpack Beginnings.
Ben and his wife, Marissa, live in Charlotte with their children.