BREAKING NEWS: MGM Resorts Executive George Kliavkoff To Be Next Pac-12 Commissioner

After a months long search to find Larry Scott’s successor as Pac-12 Commissioner, AP reporter Ralph Drusso has broken the story that MGM Resorts executive George Kliavkoff will be taking the job.

Kliavkoff represents an interesting decision from the conference. His ties to Las Vegas could give the Pac-12 links to the growing sports betting market. Kliavkoff also has a sports background. His official title at MGM is President-Entertainment & Sports, and before his work there he worked for MLB Advanced Media as the Executive Vice President of Business Development. In addition to that, he has worked for Comcast and NBC Universal.

That’s a lot of links to TV, which has been the Pac-12’s biggest issue under Larry Scott’s tenure. Kliavkoff is not who many people were expecting, but its clear the conference is prioritizing fixing the floundering Pac-12 Network. Whether such a feat is possible, and what it means for the conference’s student athletes, remains to be seen.