Commish: Don’t see more schools exiting Pac-12
Pac-12 commissioner George Klyavkov doesn’t expect more teams to leave the Big Ten or the Big 12, as his league continues to negotiate its next media rights deal.
Addressing the “Canzano and Willner: The Podcast“Kliavkoff said the Pac-12 is united despite rumors of additional Big Ten expansion and aggressive pursuit of the Big 12 by Pac-12 members.
USC And UCLA announced in June that they were leaving the Pac-12 for the Big Ten in 2024, prompting speculation that other schools, i.e. Washington And Oregonmay follow soon.
“Listen, I think if the schools were going to leave for the Big Ten, they would have already left for the Big Ten,” Kliaukoff told reporters John Canzano and Jon Willner. “Also, I’m very focused on the things that are within my control.”
Kliavkoff also doubled down on his guarantee from July that no Pac-12 school would leave for the Big 12, which he is reportedly targeting. Arizona, Arizona State, Colorado And Utah. Several administrators from these schools have reiterated their commitment to the PAC-12.
“I talk to our presidents and chancellors and athletic directors all the time; we have conversations about this,” Kliavkoff said. “After a good media rights deal, everyone is committed to working together to get a great rights grant, and I take people at their word.”
The Pac-12 began its media rights negotiations earlier than expected due to the departures of USC and UCLA. Kliavkoff said the process was complicated but that an agreement would be reached “in the near future,” adding that he was confident the 10 remaining members would sign the rights agreement “if we put the right deal in front of them.” “
The league’s current media deal expires in 2024.
“The media rights deal … has always been a balance,” Kliavkoff said. “Revenue is definitely at the top of the priority list, but we also have to balance that against distribution. We really want our content to be available to any of our fans who want to see it. I have a The goal is that our content should be available on any piece of glass connected to the Internet.”
Kliavkoff added that any potential Pac-12 expansion would happen after the media rights agreement is finalized. He also weighed in on UCLA’s challenges to leave the Pac-12, as University of California regents continue to discuss the impact on the Bruins’ athletes. Californiathe system’s second Pac-12 school.
Kliavkoff said the Pac-12 welcomes the review of UCLA’s move and has not ruled out the school remaining in the league.
At a meeting last month, the UC Regents’ General Council said the regents have the right to reverse UCLA’s decision to leave the PAC-12. Kliavkoff said the impact of increased travel to league games creates problems for players, families and others.
“We did a back-of-the-envelope calculation of the negative impact of UCLA’s expenses — travel expenses and coaching salaries and other things — to arrive at just the average Big Ten athletic budget,” Kliavkoff said. said “We think the extra money they’re going to get from the Big Ten media rights deal is going to be more than 100% of the extra costs. So you eliminate the money you’re making, and it’s the airline and charter companies. Goes to. And coaches and administrators. It doesn’t go to support the student-athletes.”