[terry]

Washington St. and Oregon St. have sued the Pac-12, seeking to gain control of the Pac-12's board of directors and its finances.

The presidents of Washington State and Oregon State are taking the Pac-12 to court in order to gain clarity on voting rights and control of assets as the collapse of a century-old college sports institution veers toward an internecine feud.

The only remaining members of the Pac-12 as of next summer, WSU and OSU filed a joint complaint Friday in Whitman County (Washington) Superior Court that seeks to determine the makeup of the Pac-12 board of directors following the announced departures of 10 schools, according to documents obtained by the Hotline.

The Pac-12 and commissioner George Kliavkoff are the named defendants.

Washington State’s Kirk Schulz and Oregon State’s Jayathi Murthy are not attempting to punish any of the outgoing schools or prevent them from leaving for the ACC, Big 12 and Big Ten.

Instead, they want declaratory judgment from the court regarding the makeup of the Pac-12’s board of directors, which has voting authority and control of the conference’s finances.

Additionally, the schools are seeking a temporary restraining order to prevent the 10 outgoing members from voting on vital issues until the makeup of the board is determined.

The Pac-12 declined to comment.

The Cougars and Beavers are considering whether to join the Mountain West or attempt to rebuild the Pac-12. Either way, their futures depend, in part, on access to potentially tens of millions of dollars in Pac-12 assets — assets that are controlled by the board of directors....

https://www.mercurynews.com/2023/09/08/p...ng-rights/

[terry]

Washington St. and Oregon St. have sued the Pac-12, seeking to gain control of the Pac-12's board of directors and its finances.

The presidents of Washington State and Oregon State are taking the Pac-12 to court in order to gain clarity on voting rights and control of assets as the collapse of a century-old college sports institution veers toward an internecine feud.

The only remaining members of the Pac-12 as of next summer, WSU and OSU filed a joint complaint Friday in Whitman County (Washington) Superior Court that seeks to determine the makeup of the Pac-12 board of directors following the announced departures of 10 schools, according to documents obtained by the Hotline.

The Pac-12 and commissioner George Kliavkoff are the named defendants.

Washington State’s Kirk Schulz and Oregon State’s Jayathi Murthy are not attempting to punish any of the outgoing schools or prevent them from leaving for the ACC, Big 12 and Big Ten.

Instead, they want declaratory judgment from the court regarding the makeup of the Pac-12’s board of directors, which has voting authority and control of the conference’s finances.

Additionally, the schools are seeking a temporary restraining order to prevent the 10 outgoing members from voting on vital issues until the makeup of the board is determined.

The Pac-12 declined to comment.

The Cougars and Beavers are considering whether to join the Mountain West or attempt to rebuild the Pac-12. Either way, their futures depend, in part, on access to potentially tens of millions of dollars in Pac-12 assets — assets that are controlled by the board of directors....

https://www.mercurynews.com/2023/09/08/p...ng-rights/

[dabigv13]

Apparently since all the other schools are leaving, if WSU and OSU do gain full control they can bar every school from the P12 Champs game but themselves. They should definitely do that.

[dabigv13]

Apparently since all the other schools are leaving, if WSU and OSU do gain full control they can bar every school from the P12 Champs game but themselves. They should definitely do that.

[Goose]

IMO the only "decent" think to do would be for all the schools that are leaving to support the suit and the remaining PAC-12 members. Cal and Stanford were also "victims", but they found a landing spot and left. They shouldn't try to claim any of the PAC-12 "assets". This is partially self-interest. The day could come when the schools that left, particularly Stanford and Cal, want/need to return to a west-coast conference. Having residual good-will rather than rancor may be very useful.

[Goose]

IMO the only "decent" think to do would be for all the schools that are leaving to support the suit and the remaining PAC-12 members. Cal and Stanford were also "victims", but they found a landing spot and left. They shouldn't try to claim any of the PAC-12 "assets". This is partially self-interest. The day could come when the schools that left, particularly Stanford and Cal, want/need to return to a west-coast conference. Having residual good-will rather than rancor may be very useful.

[old spanish trail]

IMO the only "decent" think to do would be for all the schools that are leaving to support the suit and the remaining PAC-12 members. Cal and Stanford were also "victims", but they found a landing spot and left. They shouldn't try to claim any of the PAC-12 "assets". This is partially self-interest. The day could come when the schools that left, particularly Stanford and Cal, want/need to return to a west-coast conference. Having residual good-will rather than rancor may be very useful.

Good for OSU and WSU for filing. Maybe strategy and end result depends on how much $$ they are talking about.

[old spanish trail]

IMO the only "decent" think to do would be for all the schools that are leaving to support the suit and the remaining PAC-12 members. Cal and Stanford were also "victims", but they found a landing spot and left. They shouldn't try to claim any of the PAC-12 "assets". This is partially self-interest. The day could come when the schools that left, particularly Stanford and Cal, want/need to return to a west-coast conference. Having residual good-will rather than rancor may be very useful.

Good for OSU and WSU for filing. Maybe strategy and end result depends on how much $$ they are talking about.

[82lsju]

IMO the only "decent" think to do would be for all the schools that are leaving to support the suit and the remaining PAC-12 members. Cal and Stanford were also "victims", but they found a landing spot and left. They shouldn't try to claim any of the PAC-12 "assets". This is partially self-interest. The day could come when the schools that left, particularly Stanford and Cal, want/need to return to a west-coast conference. Having residual good-will rather than rancor may be very useful.

Good for OSU and WSU for filing. Maybe strategy and end result depends on how much $$ they are talking about.

one estimate

According to the filing, the Pac-12 ended fiscal year 2022 with $42.7 million in total net assets. The conference is estimated to have about $70 million in payments owed to it from NCAA men’s basketball tournament units. Those get paid out over six-year periods.

The Pac-12 Network reported revenue of $117 million and operating expenses of $77 million in 2021-22, according to the filing. The Pac-12 owes Comcast $50 million due to an overpayment to the Pac-12 Network, though the conference had already agreed to have that debt absorbed by the full membership before the eight most recently announced departures.

OSU athletic director Scott Barnes also mentioned the Pac-12’s position as one of five so-called autonomy conferences, which gives it certain voting privileges in NCAA governance and could provide two more years of large revenue shares from the College Football Playoff. It remains to be seen whether a rebuilt Pac-12 would retain A5 — or Power Five, as it is typically referred to — status.

https://komonews.com/sports/osu-wsu-sue-...ton-state-

[82lsju]

IMO the only "decent" think to do would be for all the schools that are leaving to support the suit and the remaining PAC-12 members. Cal and Stanford were also "victims", but they found a landing spot and left. They shouldn't try to claim any of the PAC-12 "assets". This is partially self-interest. The day could come when the schools that left, particularly Stanford and Cal, want/need to return to a west-coast conference. Having residual good-will rather than rancor may be very useful.

Good for OSU and WSU for filing. Maybe strategy and end result depends on how much $$ they are talking about.

one estimate

According to the filing, the Pac-12 ended fiscal year 2022 with $42.7 million in total net assets. The conference is estimated to have about $70 million in payments owed to it from NCAA men’s basketball tournament units. Those get paid out over six-year periods.

The Pac-12 Network reported revenue of $117 million and operating expenses of $77 million in 2021-22, according to the filing. The Pac-12 owes Comcast $50 million due to an overpayment to the Pac-12 Network, though the conference had already agreed to have that debt absorbed by the full membership before the eight most recently announced departures.

OSU athletic director Scott Barnes also mentioned the Pac-12’s position as one of five so-called autonomy conferences, which gives it certain voting privileges in NCAA governance and could provide two more years of large revenue shares from the College Football Playoff. It remains to be seen whether a rebuilt Pac-12 would retain A5 — or Power Five, as it is typically referred to — status.

https://komonews.com/sports/osu-wsu-sue-...ton-state-

[jacket3ree]

I have a feeling the Cougs and Beavs will ultimately be the big winners in all of this. And they deserve it.

[jacket3ree]

I have a feeling the Cougs and Beavs will ultimately be the big winners in all of this. And they deserve it.

[Mick]

I have a feeling the Cougs and Beavs will ultimately be the big winners in all of this. And they deserve it.

"Cougin' it" may take on a new meaning.

One member recently stated that any nine members can vote and determine the resolution and disposition of the league assets. But the rules of the Pac-12 indicate that as soon as a school indicates taht they are leaving the conference, they are no longer on the board and have no voting rights. Why do they even need an injunction? They should be able to well and truly and completely hose the other 10 schools.

Oregon State, Washington State file complaint against Pac-12

[Mick]

I have a feeling the Cougs and Beavs will ultimately be the big winners in all of this. And they deserve it.

"Cougin' it" may take on a new meaning.

One member recently stated that any nine members can vote and determine the resolution and disposition of the league assets. But the rules of the Pac-12 indicate that as soon as a school indicates taht they are leaving the conference, they are no longer on the board and have no voting rights. Why do they even need an injunction? They should be able to well and truly and completely hose the other 10 schools.

Oregon State, Washington State file complaint against Pac-12

[jonnyss]

I have a feeling the Cougs and Beavs will ultimately be the big winners in all of this. And they deserve it.

i feel the same way, mick: they shouldn't need an injunction. 

however, kliavkov has his compensation on the agenda. (imo, the main recent success the pac-12 commissioners have had is their compensation). osu and wsu apparently worry that at that meeting, the 10 former members he has invited will ignore the bylaws and vote to dissolve the conference. kliavkov can then disperse the funds - presumably after the 10 schools agree to scratch his back by paying him some millions. then osu and wsu have to spend millions and years suing the schools (it will be hard to sue a no-longer-existing conference) to get the money back.

[jonnyss]

I have a feeling the Cougs and Beavs will ultimately be the big winners in all of this. And they deserve it.

i feel the same way, mick: they shouldn't need an injunction. 

however, kliavkov has his compensation on the agenda. (imo, the main recent success the pac-12 commissioners have had is their compensation). osu and wsu apparently worry that at that meeting, the 10 former members he has invited will ignore the bylaws and vote to dissolve the conference. kliavkov can then disperse the funds - presumably after the 10 schools agree to scratch his back by paying him some millions. then osu and wsu have to spend millions and years suing the schools (it will be hard to sue a no-longer-existing conference) to get the money back.

[Madera86]

Can they include USC and maybe the SEC as defendants as well?

[Madera86]

Can they include USC and maybe the SEC as defendants as well?

[Mick]

Can they include USC and maybe the SEC as defendants as well?

Let's throw in Fox while we're at it...

[Mick]

Can they include USC and maybe the SEC as defendants as well?

Let's throw in Fox while we're at it...

[fullmetal]

I guess it depends on the legal definition of "give notice" regarding departure.  Is that when the school says it publicly?  Or is it actual paperwork that the school has to file with the conference?  As far as the Pac-12 is concerned, it was the former all the way up until now, when Kliavkoff reinvited everyone back to a Sept 13th all-hands...which essentially reverses the de facto departure that was assumed and acted up as such for everyone except OSU and WSU.  (Once again, Kliavkoff screwing things up.)

[fullmetal]

I guess it depends on the legal definition of "give notice" regarding departure.  Is that when the school says it publicly?  Or is it actual paperwork that the school has to file with the conference?  As far as the Pac-12 is concerned, it was the former all the way up until now, when Kliavkoff reinvited everyone back to a Sept 13th all-hands...which essentially reverses the de facto departure that was assumed and acted up as such for everyone except OSU and WSU.  (Once again, Kliavkoff screwing things up.)

[Snorlax94]

IMO the only "decent" think to do would be for all the schools that are leaving to support the suit and the remaining PAC-12 members. Cal and Stanford were also "victims", but they found a landing spot and left. They shouldn't try to claim any of the PAC-12 "assets". This is partially self-interest. The day could come when the schools that left, particularly Stanford and Cal, want/need to return to a west-coast conference. Having residual good-will rather than rancor may be very useful.

I don’t know what the “official” party line out of the AD is — probably whatever fills their pockets in the short-term, but I am with you — I am rooting for WSU and OSU too reconstitute a Pac-8 (it’s a little cruel what this will do to the MWC), and for them to keep Rose Bowl rights, media rights, Big Dance money and invitations, Bowl rights, and for them to sign a massive streaming deal with Apple+.

Regardless of what colleges want, the west coast deserves and would benefit from a regional power conference. It’s better for kids who dream of playing sports, it’s better for families, and it’s better for communities.

I hope they also take over all Pac-12 assets including the Pac-12 networks. I hope they fire the Pac-12 and Pac-12 networks leadership for cause, with no exit money — because they were total failures — and they give the network to Apple+ to manage.

Regardless of all the short-term thinking, one day, contracts with the ACC or whomever will need to be renegotiated, and if there is a vibrant Pac-X power conference, Stanford will have more leverage in those negotiations.

Plus, I dream that one day the Pac-10 will return, even if only as a region in one giant super conference.

[Snorlax94]

IMO the only "decent" think to do would be for all the schools that are leaving to support the suit and the remaining PAC-12 members. Cal and Stanford were also "victims", but they found a landing spot and left. They shouldn't try to claim any of the PAC-12 "assets". This is partially self-interest. The day could come when the schools that left, particularly Stanford and Cal, want/need to return to a west-coast conference. Having residual good-will rather than rancor may be very useful.

I don’t know what the “official” party line out of the AD is — probably whatever fills their pockets in the short-term, but I am with you — I am rooting for WSU and OSU too reconstitute a Pac-8 (it’s a little cruel what this will do to the MWC), and for them to keep Rose Bowl rights, media rights, Big Dance money and invitations, Bowl rights, and for them to sign a massive streaming deal with Apple+.

Regardless of what colleges want, the west coast deserves and would benefit from a regional power conference. It’s better for kids who dream of playing sports, it’s better for families, and it’s better for communities.

I hope they also take over all Pac-12 assets including the Pac-12 networks. I hope they fire the Pac-12 and Pac-12 networks leadership for cause, with no exit money — because they were total failures — and they give the network to Apple+ to manage.

Regardless of all the short-term thinking, one day, contracts with the ACC or whomever will need to be renegotiated, and if there is a vibrant Pac-X power conference, Stanford will have more leverage in those negotiations.

Plus, I dream that one day the Pac-10 will return, even if only as a region in one giant super conference.

[Goose]

I don’t know what the “official” party line out of the AD is — probably whatever fills their pockets in the short-term, but I am with you — I am rooting for WSU and OSU too reconstitute a Pac-8 (it’s a little cruel what this will do to the MWC), and for them to keep Rose Bowl rights, media rights, Big Dance money and invitations, Bowl rights, and for them to sign a massive streaming deal with Apple+.

One can dream. Unfortunately the Rose Bowl has already joined the dark side, and I am pretty sure there is no chance the revised conference will keep all the "rights" the previous PAC-12 had. I just hope it is "successful" enough that it benefits it's members enough to keep a "west coast" conference alive. Then, when/if sanity returns, there will be a starting point.

[Goose]

I don’t know what the “official” party line out of the AD is — probably whatever fills their pockets in the short-term, but I am with you — I am rooting for WSU and OSU too reconstitute a Pac-8 (it’s a little cruel what this will do to the MWC), and for them to keep Rose Bowl rights, media rights, Big Dance money and invitations, Bowl rights, and for them to sign a massive streaming deal with Apple+.

One can dream. Unfortunately the Rose Bowl has already joined the dark side, and I am pretty sure there is no chance the revised conference will keep all the "rights" the previous PAC-12 had. I just hope it is "successful" enough that it benefits it's members enough to keep a "west coast" conference alive. Then, when/if sanity returns, there will be a starting point.

[dabigv13]

WSU and OSU are just in the Pac still because no one wanted them. They'd have abandoned us in a second if UW and UO somehow pulled them into a big conference with their coattails. Not sure they have any moral superiority here, though as I stated they should maximally try and bone all the leavers primarily because it'd be funny.

A rebuilt Pac will just be a rebranded MWC +OSU and WSU. I guess good for them and maybe it will be a potential future home for us, but if that comes to pass it will mean we aren't a high level sports school anymore.

If things truly explode and the schools of the old pac want to rebuild a west coast conference, it probably makes more sense to start anew rather than join rebranded MWC imho.

[dabigv13]

WSU and OSU are just in the Pac still because no one wanted them. They'd have abandoned us in a second if UW and UO somehow pulled them into a big conference with their coattails. Not sure they have any moral superiority here, though as I stated they should maximally try and bone all the leavers primarily because it'd be funny.

A rebuilt Pac will just be a rebranded MWC +OSU and WSU. I guess good for them and maybe it will be a potential future home for us, but if that comes to pass it will mean we aren't a high level sports school anymore.

If things truly explode and the schools of the old pac want to rebuild a west coast conference, it probably makes more sense to start anew rather than join rebranded MWC imho.

[Goose]

WSU and OSU are just in the Pac still because no one wanted them. They'd have abandoned us in a second if UW and UO somehow pulled them into a big conference with their coattails. Not sure they have any moral superiority here, though as I stated they should maximally try and bone all the leavers primarily because it'd be funny.

A rebuilt Pac will just be a rebranded MWC +OSU and WSU. I guess good for them and maybe it will be a potential future home for us, but if that comes to pass it will mean we aren't a high level sports school anymore.

If things truly explode and the schools of the old pac want to rebuild a west coast conference, it probably makes more sense to start anew rather than join rebranded MWC imho.

Could be true, but if things "truly explode", who knows what the "pieces" are and where they land? I don't think OSU and WSU have any "moral superiority". I think they would trade places with us in a heartbeat. However, IMO the PAC-12 members do have some moral responsibility to each other. U$C and UCLA demonstrated that they don't agree. Everybody else at least stayed around and tried to make it "work". UofA was in discussions with the BIG-12, but made no secret of it, unlike the previous 2. They also realized they weren't an attractive "property" and had to negotiate like mad to even have a home. Everybody else had to scramble when the inadequate TV deal was announced and laughed at. IMO, the least those that found a new home can do for those who could not is leave whatever residual "advantages" being in the PAC-12 confers to the unfortunate victims. Ere but for fortune.

[Goose]

WSU and OSU are just in the Pac still because no one wanted them. They'd have abandoned us in a second if UW and UO somehow pulled them into a big conference with their coattails. Not sure they have any moral superiority here, though as I stated they should maximally try and bone all the leavers primarily because it'd be funny.

A rebuilt Pac will just be a rebranded MWC +OSU and WSU. I guess good for them and maybe it will be a potential future home for us, but if that comes to pass it will mean we aren't a high level sports school anymore.

If things truly explode and the schools of the old pac want to rebuild a west coast conference, it probably makes more sense to start anew rather than join rebranded MWC imho.

Could be true, but if things "truly explode", who knows what the "pieces" are and where they land? I don't think OSU and WSU have any "moral superiority". I think they would trade places with us in a heartbeat. However, IMO the PAC-12 members do have some moral responsibility to each other. U$C and UCLA demonstrated that they don't agree. Everybody else at least stayed around and tried to make it "work". UofA was in discussions with the BIG-12, but made no secret of it, unlike the previous 2. They also realized they weren't an attractive "property" and had to negotiate like mad to even have a home. Everybody else had to scramble when the inadequate TV deal was announced and laughed at. IMO, the least those that found a new home can do for those who could not is leave whatever residual "advantages" being in the PAC-12 confers to the unfortunate victims. Ere but for fortune.

[Mick]

Here's the complaint filed by OSU and WSU. A response was demanded by Friday at 10 a.m.

Complaint for breach of Pac-12 bylaws | PDF | Board Of Directors | Justice

[Mick]

Here's the complaint filed by OSU and WSU. A response was demanded by Friday at 10 a.m.

Complaint for breach of Pac-12 bylaws | PDF | Board Of Directors | Justice

[jonnyss]

Here's the complaint filed by OSU and WSU. A response was demanded by Friday at 10 a.m.

Complaint for breach of Pac-12 bylaws | PDF | Board Of Directors | Justice

thanks for posting. the complaint is clear and easy to read.

by friday, i assume you mean last friday, sept 8, as the board meeting in question is weds, sept 13.

[jonnyss]

Here's the complaint filed by OSU and WSU. A response was demanded by Friday at 10 a.m.

Complaint for breach of Pac-12 bylaws | PDF | Board Of Directors | Justice

thanks for posting. the complaint is clear and easy to read.

by friday, i assume you mean last friday, sept 8, as the board meeting in question is weds, sept 13.

[Leftcoast]

In the real and non-sports world Stanford champions the energy and influence of the West Coast's institutions and vision as a different yet equal alternative to those of the East Coast. Sports isn't going to reverse that alternative vision but somehow joining the ACC just seems ... wrong. And not very Stanford-like. May this step Eastward be a short-lived one that is half-heartedly embraced by fans and corrected soon.

I wish we had thumbed our nose at the stupidity driving modern sports conferences and formed the best coalition possible with the remaining West coast teams.  I fully understand that this option won't happen but until then, aren't we all proud to be members of an ATLANTIC COAST conference????  So, so illogical and counter ordinary logic and Stanford's Pacific values.

In the meantime, shouldn't we all cheer on and maybe even admire the rump version of the Pac and the MWC as they preserve a true West Coast alternative? I do and wish Stanford had the courage to do the same despite all the logic behind trading identity for stability.

(And of course, F@#K backstabbing USC and UCLA).

[Leftcoast]

In the real and non-sports world Stanford champions the energy and influence of the West Coast's institutions and vision as a different yet equal alternative to those of the East Coast. Sports isn't going to reverse that alternative vision but somehow joining the ACC just seems ... wrong. And not very Stanford-like. May this step Eastward be a short-lived one that is half-heartedly embraced by fans and corrected soon.

I wish we had thumbed our nose at the stupidity driving modern sports conferences and formed the best coalition possible with the remaining West coast teams.  I fully understand that this option won't happen but until then, aren't we all proud to be members of an ATLANTIC COAST conference????  So, so illogical and counter ordinary logic and Stanford's Pacific values.

In the meantime, shouldn't we all cheer on and maybe even admire the rump version of the Pac and the MWC as they preserve a true West Coast alternative? I do and wish Stanford had the courage to do the same despite all the logic behind trading identity for stability.

(And of course, F@#K backstabbing USC and UCLA).

[fullmetal]

I think we took a short-term lifeline at a short-term expense of our values, student-athlete experience and fan experience.  I wasn't in the room where it happened.

[fullmetal]

I think we took a short-term lifeline at a short-term expense of our values, student-athlete experience and fan experience.  I wasn't in the room where it happened.

[jacket3ree]

I completely agree, Leftcoast, as much as my other team's far more frequent presence on the west coast is personally beneficial. Stanford really missed the leadership boat on this one. They will ultimately regret this panicked decision, assuming the ACC isn't already demanding a recount after last weekend's results. (Notably Cal and SMU at least looked like real football programs.)

The only way for this to be short-lived is for the ACC to quickly implode on itself and dissolve. Which is a really strange strategy for Stanford to have. Join something hoping/making it implode?

Hopefully this will go better than when GT re-applied to the SEC in the late '70s and was told to pound sand by its main rival, a backstabbing Bear Bryant, and the Mississippi schools that Dodd routinely treated like dirt, because he could.  The worm always turns.

[jacket3ree]

I completely agree, Leftcoast, as much as my other team's far more frequent presence on the west coast is personally beneficial. Stanford really missed the leadership boat on this one. They will ultimately regret this panicked decision, assuming the ACC isn't already demanding a recount after last weekend's results. (Notably Cal and SMU at least looked like real football programs.)

The only way for this to be short-lived is for the ACC to quickly implode on itself and dissolve. Which is a really strange strategy for Stanford to have. Join something hoping/making it implode?

Hopefully this will go better than when GT re-applied to the SEC in the late '70s and was told to pound sand by its main rival, a backstabbing Bear Bryant, and the Mississippi schools that Dodd routinely treated like dirt, because he could.  The worm always turns.