George Kliavkoff is stepping down as the Pac-12 commissioner, with his last day set for Feb. 29. The decision comes as the conference faces significant changes, including the departure of key universities to other conferences. Kliavkoff's efforts to secure a new media rights deal were unsuccessful, leading to further departures and legal battles for control of the conference. With Kliavkoff's departure, the Pac-12 is set to announce new leadership, with deputy commissioner Teresa Gould likely to be promoted to commissioner.
George Kliavkoff is stepping down as commissioner of the Pac-12 Conference, with his last day set for Feb. 29. The league and Kliavkoff mutually agreed to part ways, and details about new leadership will be announced next week. Sources indicate that Pac-12 deputy commissioner Teresa Gould is expected to take over. The next commissioner will inherit a conference facing significant changes, with several schools departing for other conferences and uncertainty about the Pac-12's future.
The Pac-12 and commissioner George Kliavkoff have mutually agreed to part ways, with Kliavkoff's last day set for Feb. 29. The move comes after schools departed for other leagues due to Kliavkoff's inability to negotiate a media rights contract, leading to a legal battle and significant conference realignment. The Pac-12 will announce new leadership next week, while Washington State and Oregon State will operate as a two-team conference in football for the next two seasons.
George Kliavkoff is stepping down as the Pac-12 commissioner, with his departure set for Feb. 29, following the conference's significant membership loss. Oregon State and Washington State have regained control of the Pac-12, leading to Kliavkoff's exit, and Teresa Gould, the Pac-12 deputy commissioner, is expected to be promoted to the role. Kliavkoff's tenure was marked by challenges including conference realignment and media rights negotiations, ultimately culminating in the departure of several schools to other conferences.
The Pac-12 has officially parted ways with commissioner George Kliavkoff in a "mutual" separation agreement, effective February 29, 2024. Kliavkoff's tenure was marked by the loss of 10 schools, strategic miscalculations, and a failure to secure a media deal, ultimately leading to his departure. The conference is expected to name Kliavkoff's deputy, Teresa Gould, as his replacement. Details of the separation agreement and the coverage of costs were not disclosed.
The Pac-12 and commissioner George Kliavkoff have mutually agreed to part ways, with Kliavkoff's final day set for February 29 and an announcement on new leadership expected next week. The conference's dissolution, with 10 programs leaving, has led to the search for new leadership, with Teresa Gould being targeted as Kliavkoff's replacement. Kliavkoff's tenure was marked by failed TV negotiations and the departure of prominent institutions, ultimately leading to the Pac-12's decline and the departure of several member schools.
The demise of the Pac-12 conference can be attributed to 12 years of hubris, apathy, and mismanagement. Former commissioner Larry Scott's ill-advised launch of the Pac-12 Networks without a proven media partner, along with a series of fiascos and questionable decisions, contributed to the conference's decline. The lack of success on the football field, including a failure to produce a College Football Playoff entrant for six consecutive seasons, further damaged the Pac-12's national brand. The recent departure of USC and UCLA to the Big Ten, along with other schools joining different conferences, has left the Pac-12 in a state of disarray.
Pac-12 Commissioner George Kliavkoff believes that the new media rights deal he is working on will keep the conference intact, despite USC and UCLA leaving for the Big Ten next year. Kliavkoff stated that the longer they wait for the media deal, the better their options become, with new bidders coming to the table. He also expressed confidence in the future of the conference, citing the expansion of the College Football Playoff and the investment in football. Additionally, Kliavkoff praised the star power of Colorado football coach Deion Sanders, comparing it to that of Taylor Swift and Beyonce.
At the Pac-12 football media day, commissioner George Kliavkoff tried to shift the focus to the upcoming season, but faced numerous questions about the ongoing drama surrounding the league's media rights deal. While Kliavkoff expressed optimism about progress being made, no concrete details or signed deals have been announced. Expansion is also a topic of discussion, with some schools reportedly not in favor of it. The Pac-12 is eager to finalize its TV deal and wants attention on the exciting football season ahead.
