Pac-12 Announces MGM President George Kliavkoff As New Commissioner
May 13, 2021, 11:20 AM | Updated: 11:35 am
MGM Resorts International President of Entertainment and Sports George Kliavkoff (C) presents head coach Tad Boyle of the Colorado Buffaloes and his team with the championship belt after their 71-67 victory over the Clemson Tigers to win the MGM Resorts Main Event basketball tournament at T-Mobile Arena on November 26, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
(Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – The Pac-12 Conference has announced George Kliavkoff as the new commissioner of the conference. He replaces Larry Scott, who served in the role for 12 years before announcing that his term will conclude on June 30 this year.
He has signed a five-year contract.
“I am thrilled to be the Pac-12 Commissioner. This is a challenging time for intercollegiate athletics, but I believe these challenges also create significant opportunities,” Kliavkoff said. “I loved being a student-athlete, and I’m passionate about the doors that college sports and higher education open for young women and men. My job at the Pac-12 will be to help manage the balance between continued academic excellence, student-athlete well-being and an even higher level of athletic achievement.”
Kliavkoff has been with MGM since 2018, according to his LinkedIn profile. Furthermore, Kliavkoff is a current board member for BetMGM, Cirque Du Soleil Entertainment Group, and Las Vegas Arena Management Group.
George Kliavkoff to serve as new Pac-12 Commissioner.
A sports & media executive, he brings unparalleled expertise in managing change & driving results from roles at MGM Resorts, Hearst, NBCUniversal & MLB Advanced Media.
Full Info ➡️ https://t.co/MmlYtnYvN5#BackThePac pic.twitter.com/JSJbTzjL4h
— Pac-12 Conference (@pac12) May 13, 2021
The supposed hiring of Kliavkoff could well be a sign that the Pac-12 Conference headquarters will be moving to Las Vegas shortly.
Kliavkoff will have his first day in office on July 1st. However, between now and then he will be present and actively working alongside Scott to ensure a smooth transition. Scott’s last day will be June 30th.
“At each step of his career, George has navigated complex, quickly changing environments and has been a successful consensus builder. George is a visionary leader with an extraordinary background as a pioneering sports, entertainment and digital media executive, and we are delighted and honored that he has agreed to become our next Pac-12 Commissioner,” said University of Oregon President Michael H. Schill, chair of the five-member search committee.
Goodbye Larry
Scott’s role as Commissioner has often been criticized for his inability to further progress the conference. Fans have been specifically upset about the ongoing dispute and conflict surrounding television rights.
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Many fans across the West still have issues watching their beloved teams compete.
However, Scott was influential in bringing the University of Utah into the conference in 2011. A feat Utah fans will forever be thankful for.
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