In a rebranding move, the league officially announced it will now be known simply as the American Conference -- or, more casually, the American. It also introduced the first official collegiate conference mascot: Soar the Eagle.

The American Athletic Conference is rebranding itself as, simply, the American Conference as part of a wide-ranging effort it says is designed to fuel growth and elevate its position in a quickly changing college-sports landscape.

The American Athletic Conference has changed its name to The American Conference, or simply The American, as part of a rebranding effort.