Scott could have his contract terminated early in an effort to save the Pac-12 Networksgetty images
The Pac-12 CEO Group over the weekend had internal conversations on whether to "make an early move" on Commissioner Larry Scott, whose contract expires in the summer of '22, according to John Canzano of the Portland OREGONIAN. One conference administrator said, "There’s serious talk amongst the Pac-12 CEO Group to end his contract ahead of the expiration date to have a fighting chance to save the (conference) Networks." The conference's media rights contracts expire in '24, and that date has "long been viewed as the target opportunity for the Pac-12 to close the gap with its Power Five Conference peers." Canzano: "Retain Scott -- who is the highest paid conference commissioner in the country -- and let him lay the groundwork for the new round negotiations? Or negotiate an early buyout of his existing contract and bring in fresh leadership?" Meanwhile, the Pac-12 CEO Group last week "ordered pay cuts" for conference and Pac-12 Networks employees, and the salary reductions "were effective immediately and will remain in effect for the next 12 months." Employees making six figures "received pay reductions ranging from 5-10 percent." Scott, who makes $5.3M, revealed in his email to staffers that he would be "taking a compensation reduction" of 12% (Portland OREGONIAN, 7/7).
TEFLON LARRY: Stories like this are nothing new for Scott. He has been criticized for overspending, not deriving enough revenue to keep up with top Power Five conferences and mismanaging the Pac-12 Networks. But, here we are, more than 11 years into his tenure, and he is still setting the direction for the conference, while also serving as one of the five most influential commissioners in college sports (Michael Smith, SBJ College).
POWER SHIFT: In San Jose, Jon Wilner notes the power in the Pac-12 is "shifting to the Pacific Northwest." On July 1, Oregon President Michael Schill "took charge as chair of the conference’s CEO Group." Schill replaces Colorado Chancellor Phil DiStefano, whose two-year run at the helm was "overwhelmingly successful in creating stability, improving transparency and increasing collaboration between the conference office and the campuses." Not only has DiStefano "stepped down as chair, his term on the executive committee is also complete." His replacement: Washington State President Kirk Schulz. Turnover at the CEO level is "significant, with schools changing presidents almost as often as they change football coaches." Frankly, the conference is "better off with Schulz on the executive committee," as he "understands the broad impact football has on campus and serves as Pac-12’s representative on the College Football Playoff’s board of managers" (SAN JOSE MERCURY NEWS, 7/8).
