University presidents and athletic directors from a wide spectrum of universities were the decision-makers. At no point did the Pac-12 universities hire a leader who could develop and negotiate the collective football (insofar as football is driving all of this) brand and viewership rights in rapidly changing athletics and media/broadcast environments.
Larry Scott was a Harvard tennis guy whose only professional experience was in tennis. Kliavkoff, initially a lawyer, had more experience in sports broadcast rights from his MLB, Hulu, and WNBA work, but I don't think he was able to act quickly enough or with foresight given how the departures of U$C/UCLA seemed to take leadership by surprise. The incentives of athletic departments regarding football money are quite powerful.
SEC commissioner Greg Sankey's career has been in college athletics from the start. I'm not surprised that he's done such a good job. Incidentally, all three of the men mentioned above were born in (and raised in?) the state of New York. Had the chance to shake hands with Greg and say hi last year...quiet, unassuming man, seemed like a really nice guy.
Larry Scott was a Harvard tennis guy whose only professional experience was in tennis. Kliavkoff, initially a lawyer, had more experience in sports broadcast rights from his MLB, Hulu, and WNBA work, but I don't think he was able to act quickly enough or with foresight given how the departures of U$C/UCLA seemed to take leadership by surprise. The incentives of athletic departments regarding football money are quite powerful.
SEC commissioner Greg Sankey's career has been in college athletics from the start. I'm not surprised that he's done such a good job. Incidentally, all three of the men mentioned above were born in (and raised in?) the state of New York. Had the chance to shake hands with Greg and say hi last year...quiet, unassuming man, seemed like a really nice guy.