Pac 12 Conference Outlook

[azfan]

Arizona completes the season sweep of Arizona St. ASU is really gonna make a run at going winless in conference. Unbelievable how far they've fallen.

Sun Devils will certainly lose 20 games this year. A number of factors in my view have led to the dumpster fire.

1. Upon CTTs retirement no effort was made for a comprehensive search for a high-profile coach. Part of the challenge was a result of utter incompetence in the ad's office. Not certain when CTT provided ad with this information but clearly the retirement and search was handled abominably.

2. Coach Natasha Adair was an extremely successful coach at Delaware. All of her roots are in the northeast. I'm still trying to wrap my head around anyone who thought this would be a good pac 12 match. She did bring Ty Skinner with her as well as athletes she'd been recruiting while in Delaware. As we saw in last night's game Skinner is lightning quick and perhaps a competent group of five conference player. Like other incoming teammates I'm not certain if their skill set and physical abilities translate to a power five conference.

3. Three players from last year's squad are playing significant minutes at other programs. Last night we saw Jade Loville playing for the kitties. 3-point specialist Taya Hanson is with Oregon. And often injured Jamie Loreta is playing for Eastern Washington.

It's a real shame. Until the AD is replaced Arizona State we're going to see similar deterioration across the athletic board in Tempe. It also emphasizes the culture and successful program that CTT developed and maintained in spite of criminally incompetent athletic administration that Tempe has suffered under in recent years.

President Michael Crow places emphasis and attention elsewhere: real estate development, expanding relationships with the US government, and growing the absolute size of the University through an expansive online program. Crow clearly has little time, energy or patience with athletics.

4. The seismic shifts in power 5 conferences, pathetic Pac-12 leadership the wimpy media revenue package, and uncertainty issues pose a real dilemma and challenge. Coach Adair will probably be given two more years and I'm not optimistic that either the conference or particularly ASU will be able to attract the type of coaching talent necessary to reestablish a culture of excellence in the women's basketball program.

All however is not lost in Arizona. Coach Barnes has clearly set the foundation for long-term success in the dirty T.

Grand Canyon puts an exciting team on the floor and really knows how to promote women's basketball. It's a real delight to head to the west side of Phoenix and share a game filled with energy, excitement, lots of student fans and a college that really knows how to put on an event.

Coach Loree Payne is doing a wonderful job up here in Flagstaff. While I'd like to see a little more emphasis on defense(I am after all a 25-year ASU fan and really did enjoy CTT's emphasis on defensive intensity) coach Payne really can coach the offensive side of the ball and has brought some amazing student athletes up to the north country.

 

[azfan]

Unbelievable. PAC12 Networks already have their issues with distribution and future negotiations. Now this overpayment scandal? Bloody insane and infuriating.

Criminal incompetence doesn't begin to describe this idiocy.

 

[LoTrader]

 

[TheFarmFan]

PAC 12 Network. Kill it before it kills your conference!

Pac-12 Statement: January 20, 2023

Earlier today, the Pac-12 terminated the employment of two senior executives, effective immediately. This action was taken following an investigation conducted by independent outside legal counsel. The terminations resulted from a failure by those two executives to disclose material information...

pac-12.com

unfortunately there's a lot I know but can't say, but I think it's safe to say if the Pac-12 Conference folds, Scott should be charged with negligent homicide...

 

[visitingcock]

unfortunately there's a lot I know but can't say, but I think it's safe to say if the Pac-12 Conference folds, Scott should be charged with negligent homicide...

Mere negligence??? Or was it set up to be a big fat cow for milking?

 

[dabears17]

unfortunately there's a lot I know but can't say, but I think it's safe to say if the Pac-12 Conference folds, Scott should be charged with negligent homicide...

Comment by Forrest Lamb on Bald Faced Truth by John Canzano

The fact that he surely knew about this situation but still cashed in $4 mill worth of bonuses and THEN laid people off? Wow. Not only a low life, but apparently, perhaps, a criminal low life. Would love to see the PAC-12 lawyer up and force Scott to speak out of both sides of his face for weeks...

www.johncanzano.com

 

[visitingcock]

unfortunately there's a lot I know but can't say, but I think it's safe to say if the Pac-12 Conference folds, Scott should be charged with negligent homicide...

So, do UCLA and Southern Cal participate in the payback or spend their overpayments on Travel to New Jersey?

 

[azfan]

unfortunately there's a lot I know but can't say, but I think it's safe to say if the Pac-12 Conference folds, Scott should be charged with negligent homicide...

It's a question of when not if.

Stu’s Notes: Did the Pac-12 Commit Securities Fraud?

The Pac-12 might be in big, big trouble.

thebarkingcrow.com

"One great question here is who the distribution partner is. Is this ESPN? FOX? A cable company?

Another great question is how the financial stuff works from here."

Pac-12 fires senior executives after investigation into overpayments from network partner

Terminations are effective immediately; Pac-12 Networks president and conference CFO have been removed from staff directory.

www.ksl.com

"However, soon after the Pac-12 staff was informed of the situation, two names were removed from the staff directory: Pac-12 Networks president Mark Shuken and CFO Brent Willman, who oversees finances for both networks and conference operations.

A source confirmed they were the executives terminated."

 

[LoTrader]

On Monday, January 23rd, Stanford women’s basketball senior guard

Haley Jones
was named Pac-12 Player of the Week. In a home sweep over #8 Utah and #24 Colorado, Jones averaged 18.0 points, 15.0 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 1.0 steals, and 1.5 blocks per game on 45.5% shooting from the field. Jones played in 79 of the 80 minutes over both games. This is Jones’ fourth career Pac-12 Player of the Week honor.


Against Utah, Jones had 25 points, 12 rebounds, and 4 assists. Against Colorado, she had 11 points, 18 rebounds, and 3 assists. The 18 rebounds she had against Colorado was a season-high and one rebound shy of tying her career-high.

Jones is a jack-of-all-trades player. She can score, rebound, create shots for others, and play elite defense. Whatever her team needs from her, she’s able to do. She’s truly one of the most versatile players in college basketball.

“I mean, her versatility is her strength obviously,” Stanford head coach Tara VanDerveer said of Jones after Sunday’s victory over Colorado. “And her ability to run the team and run offense for us. And I thought she played well defensively, too. She doesn’t get in foul trouble, which is a good thing. Neither does Hannah Jump, which is a good thing. So, would I like to sit her down a little bit more? Yes. But, as I get more confidence in Jzaniya and I get more confidence in Indya, I think I can do that and that will help her even do better.”

 

[JellyBean]

On Monday, January 23rd, Stanford women’s basketball senior guard

Haley Jones
was named Pac-12 Player of the Week. In a home sweep over #8 Utah and #24 Colorado, Jones averaged 18.0 points, 15.0 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 1.0 steals, and 1.5 blocks per game on 45.5% shooting from the field. Jones played in 79 of the 80 minutes over both games. This is Jones’ fourth career Pac-12 Player of the Week honor.


Against Utah, Jones had 25 points, 12 rebounds, and 4 assists. Against Colorado, she had 11 points, 18 rebounds, and 3 assists. The 18 rebounds she had against Colorado was a season-high and one rebound shy of tying her career-high.

Jones is a jack-of-all-trades player. She can score, rebound, create shots for others, and play elite defense. Whatever her team needs from her, she’s able to do. She’s truly one of the most versatile players in college basketball.

“I mean, her versatility is her strength obviously,” Stanford head coach Tara VanDerveer said of Jones after Sunday’s victory over Colorado. “And her ability to run the team and run offense for us. And I thought she played well defensively, too. She doesn’t get in foul trouble, which is a good thing. Neither does Hannah Jump, which is a good thing. So, would I like to sit her down a little bit more? Yes. But, as I get more confidence in Jzaniya and I get more confidence in Indya, I think I can do that and that will help her even do better.”

I enjoy watching Haley Jones play. She is such a joy to watch. Like what was stated, she is a jack of all trades. Haley at Stanford with Coach VanDerveer is a perfect fit.

 

[nwhoopfan]

This is Jones’ fourth career Pac-12 Player of the Week honor.

I'm kinda surprised she hasn't won the award more.

 

[KnightBridgeAZ]

It's a question of when not if.

Stu’s Notes: Did the Pac-12 Commit Securities Fraud?

The Pac-12 might be in big, big trouble.

thebarkingcrow.com

"One great question here is who the distribution partner is. Is this ESPN? FOX? A cable company?

Another great question is how the financial stuff works from here."

Pac-12 fires senior executives after investigation into overpayments from network partner

Terminations are effective immediately; Pac-12 Networks president and conference CFO have been removed from staff directory.

www.ksl.com

"However, soon after the Pac-12 staff was informed of the situation, two names were removed from the staff directory: Pac-12 Networks president Mark Shuken and CFO Brent Willman, who oversees finances for both networks and conference operations.

A source confirmed they were the executives terminated."

Comcast, actually. Overpaid the PAC by about 5 Million a year.

There was a great article. Apparently, among the factors -

• Comcast doesn't share information about the exact numbers when it calculates its payouts, exactly. Apparently they double counted folks for having both the national and local network.
• The PAC commissioned an audit because they thought they were being underpaid. When it showed they were being overpaid, they didn't believe the audit.
• There is no evidence or idea that either the individuals profited from this or that it particularly benefited the PAC (except for the additional money, of course, but it is small enough that it didn't materially affect evaluations of profitability, etc.).
• The assumption is that funds will be withheld going forward, but no details known.

A bad look none-the-less.

 

[visitingcock]

Comcast, actually. Overpaid the PAC by about 5 Million a year.

There was a great article. Apparently, among the factors -

• Comcast doesn't share information about the exact numbers when it calculates its payouts, exactly. Apparently they double counted folks for having both the national and local network.
• The PAC commissioned an audit because they thought they were being underpaid. When it showed they were being overpaid, they didn't believe the audit.
• There is no evidence or idea that either the individuals profited from this or that it particularly benefited the PAC (except for the additional money, of course, but it is small enough that it didn't materially affect evaluations of profitability, etc.).
• The assumption is that funds will be withheld going forward, but no details known.

A bad look none-the-less.

I don't know the timeline, but was Larry Scott still around?

 

[dabears17]

Column I linked above was just comments. Here is full column:

Canzano: Pac-12 has a nasty Larry Scott hangover

The topic needs some sunshine.

www.johncanzano.com

One of two executives was still living in LA and the PAC12 was paying for charter flights to San Francisco PAC 12 offices. The PAC12 was also renting an apartment for him in San Francisco.

The PAC12 laid off 15 employees and furloughed 79 during Covid. Larry Scott accelerated payment of $4 million in bonuses summer 2020 before laying off and furloughing half the staff. How much of those bonuses and prior year bonuses were justified by the $50 million of overpayment?

During 2019 PAC12 tournament Larry Scott stayed in a $7500 a night 2BR suite that included a butler.

 

[visitingcock]

I like this speculative excerpt from Stu's notes:

"Another great question is how the financial stuff works from here. If the Pac-12 got fifty million extra dollars, did it pass those on to its schools? If the Pac-12 wants to give the fifty million dollars back, does it have to go get it from those schools? What if USC and UCLA, who are leaving the Pac-12 for the Big Ten, say no? What if Oregon and Washington, who would like to leave the Pac-12 for the Big Ten and could probably instantaneously leave it for the Big 12 if they got mad enough at the Pac-12, say no? Is the Pac-12 solvent enough to front fifty million dollars? Would the distribution partner try to make it do that? Would the distribution partner be incentivized to make it do that because of the real possibility that the Pac-12 does not exist in eighteen months’ time? Was a contract violated here?"

 

[dabears17]

The current thought was it was canned because Big 10 schools didn’t think the four additional PAC12 schools would generate enough ratings to justify revenue sharing in a new media deal. Rumor last fall was the Big 10 was interested in getting Stanford, Cal, Oregon, and Washington to form a west coast division.

Makes sense because part of the state letting UCLA join the Big 10 is UCLA paying $2 to $10 million a year to Cal to make up for media revenue share lost from UCLA leaving.

Regents Allow UCLA to Leave, but Make Provisions for Cal

Bruins will be leaving for the Big Ten, but the UC Regents require UCLA to subsidize Berkeley annually

www.si.com

It’s a shame that college football destroyed the old Big East and Larry Scott’s hubris is helping college football do the same to the PAC12.

 

[azfan]

Comcast, actually. Overpaid the PAC by about 5 Million a year.



A bad look none-the-less.

That's an understatement.

This is ilustrative of the incompetence boarding on criminal negligence at the top of the Pac-12 leadership.

The rapidly changing division 1 landscape was going to be a challenge anyway but with the lack of any coherent leadership and obvious self-dealing the Pac-12 is really at a major disadvantage which is not news to any of us.

As the top teams flee for the two super conferences the Pac-12 will clearly have one of two options first complete disintegration or second transformation into a group of five conference.

Oregon and Washington are soon to be gone and it'll be very interesting to see what Stanford decides to do.

That said the one certainty is utter incompetence historically leading the Pac-12. I've seen no signs of improvement over the last 24 months.

Given the pace of change the combination of incompetence and inertia is a recipe for the conference disintegrating completely.

 

[KnightBridgeAZ]

That's an understatement.

This is ilustrative of the incompetence boarding on criminal negligence at the top of the Pac-12 leadership.

The rapidly changing division 1 landscape was going to be a challenge anyway but with the lack of any coherent leadership and obvious self-dealing the Pac-12 is really at a major disadvantage which is not news to any of us.

As the top teams flee for the two super conferences the Pac-12 will clearly have one of two options first complete disintegration or second transformation into a group of five conference.

Oregon and Washington are soon to be gone and it'll be very interesting to see what Stanford decides to do.

That said the one certainty is utter incompetence historically leading the Pac-12. I've seen no signs of improvement over the last 24 months.

Given the pace of change the combination of incompetence and inertia is a recipe for the conference disintegrating completely.

Just curious about the "Oregon & Washington" soon to be gone? I don't read every article about the PAC, but I generally skim the local paper and I get a couple of publications related to "The Athletic" by e-mail and I missed that one.

I don't think it is Group of Five material (that was closer actually a few years ago from what I've read). However, if they don't come up with a way to reinvent the conference I fear the complete disintegration option you mention.

 

[Jorislove]

to be honest I don't know if Oregon wants to leave, it seems they are very content with the Pac-12; despite being there has cost them so many football title appearances. But leave it to the ducks to always do what is worse for them.
Other than the fan base talk, I haven't heard any indication Oregon is looking to go elsewhere. (if they know what is good for them, they should leave ASAP).

 

[dabears17]

I haven’t followed college football closely for a few years. Looking online it looks like after Texas and Oklahoma announced they were leaving the Big 12 to go to the SEC, there were merger talks between the B12 and PAC12. The PAC12 voted it down.

The Big 10 was smart and “stole” the biggest media market from the PAC12. There are articles online saying at one point last summer the Big 12 was interested in Utah/Colorado/Arizona/Arizona State and possibly Oregon/Washington. Similarly to the Big 10 deciding not to take Oregon/Washington because they would dilute each school’s media revenue share, the Big 12 schools didn’t want to dilute their revenue share.

I’d bet even though officially they are being loyal to the PAC12, most of the PAC12 teams would jump to the Big 10 and/or Big 12 if offered.

Good for football and men’s basketball, not good for all the other sports.

 

[JellyBean]

Game Night in the Pac 12!!

 

[Figurehead]

to be honest I don't know if Oregon wants to leave, it seems they are very content with the Pac-12; despite being there has cost them so many football title appearances. But leave it to the ducks to always do what is worse for them.
Other than the fan base talk, I haven't heard any indication Oregon is looking to go elsewhere. (if they know what is good for them, they should leave ASAP).

It is liking dating. You can look at the most popular girl in school all you want. However, She has to have an interest in you first.

It is not like you call just up another conference and say we will join next week. Not the way it works at all.

 

[visitingcock]

Will be interesting to watch her performance tonight against Stanford’s TALL trees. Could we see her matched against Betts for any significant time?

 

[LoTrader]

Will be interesting to watch her performance tonight against Stanford’s TALL trees. Could we see her matched against Betts for any significant time?

Hard to say, since I have no idea when Rueck will bring her into the game? I'll be interested to see if Timea covers Haley Jones at some point in the game.

 

[DefenseBB]

Nice battle in Boulder right now, Buffs 46-44 over UCLA