“It’s everyone else’s fault,” a source said of Kliavkoff’s perspective.
To a certain degree, that’s accurate. The rupture was years in the making, and responsibility starts with the presidents who have ultimate authority over the conference. Scott’s strategic mistakes played a central role, as well.
But any suggestion that Kliavkoff bears no responsibility is, of course, ludicrous.
He was in charge for 25 months prior to the moment of collapse and lost 10 of the 12 schools.
He was arguably the most ineffective commissioner in the modern era of college athletics, particularly for a major football-playing conference.
He failed to grasp the basics of realignment —
that urgency is required.
And above all, Kliavkoff either didn’t bother or was unable to read the room: After the failed promise of the Pac-12 Networks, the last thing the presidents and athletic directors wanted was an all-streaming media rights deal with revenue tied to reaching subscription tiers.
They wanted linear exposure and revenue certainty. He delivered neither.
Will Kliavkoff ever offer words of sympathy or regret to Washington State and Oregon State athletes, coaches, officials and fans?
That seems unlikely.
Will he ever provide missing details into the failed negotiations if, in fact, there are any details missing from the public record?
Maybe Kliavkoff will tell his side in a documentary after his non-disclosure agreement ends — and for which he likely will be compensated handsomely.
For now, he exits the scene in silence, with ash and ruin in his wake.
