The number of cuts on the networks side is higher because many of them came from production rolesGETTY IMAGES
It was a somber day at Pac-12 HQ in S.F. yesterday, as the conference cut half its staff -- 112 employees in all. On the conference side, 22 out of 47 positions were affected by either furloughs, layoffs or the elimination of positions. On the networks side, 90 positions (55% of the staff) were impacted. The numbers on the networks side are higher because many of them came from production roles and the Pac-12 has no events through the end of the year. The cost-saving moves were a by-product of the postponement of football season and the uncertainty of what that will mean for the $300M in TV revenue from ESPN and Fox, as well as other lines of revenue. The staff members who were furloughed could be brought back on Dec. 7. The employees affected mostly came from divisions of the conference that are not as active without games, such as championship events, marketing, communications and operations. Pac-12 Commissioner Larry Scott’s salary was not part of the cuts, but his compensation did undergo two previous adjustments. In April, his $5.3M salary took a 20% cut through June 30. Subsequent to that in early July, Scott’s salary took a 12% reduction that will run through June 30, 2021 (Michael Smith, SBJ Unpacks).
MORE CUTS COMING: In San Jose, Jon Wilner reports as with previous budget cuts, this round of downsizing is "designed to track with expense reduction measures unfolding on the campuses." Athletic departments across the Pac-12 are "expected to implement significant layoffs, furloughs, salary reductions or all three." Some, like Oregon State and Washington, have "already done so," while others have "not finalized or announced plans." All "hope to avoid eliminating the Olympic sports teams whose budgets depend on football revenue" (San Jose MERCURY NEWS, 8/27).
COULD THIS HAVE BEEN PREVENTED? In Portland, John Canzano writes before a "single job was lost the big bosses should have looked hard at the double-dip salary" that Scott is "currently enjoying." Canzano: "A stronger, more inspired leader would have cut his base salary in two today and saved some of his staff. But we all know that’s not what Scott is." Pac-12 Networks President Mark Shuken "keeps his $840,000-a-year management job in case you’re wondering," while Exec VP/Content Larry Myers "keeps his job, too" (Portland OREGONIAN, 8/27).
