Larry Scott Envisions Big Changes For Pac-10, Eyes Bigger TV Deal

Scott Approaching TV Deal As Most Important Strategic Issue

New Pac-10 Commissioner Larry Scott yesterday said that he "plans to 'achieve things that previously were aspirations'" for the conference, talk that has "never been heard in the Pac-10," according to Greg Hansen of the ARIZONA DAILY STAR. Scott was hired to "bootstrap the league into the digital age." The Pac-10 "wants to refresh itself in the next five years, especially when its TV contracts" with ABC/ESPN and FSN expire after the '11-12 academic year. The conference wants "buzz" and a "dramatic increase in television revenue." Scott, who started in his role on July 1 and has already met with FSN execs and "toured the USC and UCLA campuses," last night "met with the league's 10 football coaches" in L.A. Scott over the next 45 days will "travel to every Pac-10 city and engage presidents, athletic directors and coaching staffs in dialogue." Hansen notes Scott had "two full years to study the television market and negotiate" a new TV deal for the conference, and during that time the Pac-10 will "explore the possibility of creating its own TV network, or perhaps join a power partner such as the SEC in a TV venture." Scott yesterday said, "I'm approaching this role, our TV strategy, as the most important strategic issue and deal in my career" (ARIZONA DAILY STAR, 7/30).

THINKING OUTSIDE THE BOX: Scott yesterday indicated that he "might operate differently" than former Pac-10 Commissioner Tom Hansen. Scott said, "I was a bit overwhelmed by sort of a consistent sense that the Pac-10 has untapped potential." Scott pointed out that UCLA has 70 merchandise stores in China, and said, "The Pac-10 has a unique advantage in looking beyond the confines of the U.S. I'm not exactly sure how this might manifest itself, but I could...envision a time when our basketball, volleyball, Olympic sports teams are traveling and participating in sports over there." In Seattle, Bud Withers notes Scott was "hired by the Pac-10 presidents because he's different," so "every perception you might attach to a big-time college commissioner, forget it." Scott yesterday admitted that he "hadn't attended a college football game since before 1997" (SEATTLE TIMES, 7/30).