Charles Fischer Administrator No. 1 Share Posted March 17, 2022 George Kliavkoff, the Pac-12 Commissioner, is in Portland for the NCAA Tournament first and second round games. I reached him on Wednesday shortly after he landed at PDX airport and collected his rental car. He’s in town to see No. 4-seed UCLA play its opening round game vs. No. 13 Akron at Moda Center (6:50 p.m. PT today). Kliavkoff told me the Pac-12 CEO Group met last Saturday in Las Vegas and made “a tremendous amount of progress,” on where to re-locate the conference headquarters. The lease on the downtown San Francisco money pit is up at the end of this year. I suspect the Pac-12 will plant the flag in Las Vegas, even as the commissioner wouldn’t confirm it. Said Kliavkoff: “I don't want to get ahead of conversations that I want to have with our really valued employees about where we’re planning on locating people. I want to have that discussion with our employees before I talk about it publicly for obvious reasons.” Fair enough — but it’s Vegas, right? Kliavkoff has a home there, the Pac-12 holds its basketball and football championships there, and Vegas is an easy-to-reach destination. I expect a decision before summer. We also spoke about gambling and data. The conference is geared up for its upcoming media rights negotiations. There are two years left on the current deal. But the Pac-12 seized control of its own data this week and is positioning itself to utilize it and monetize it. “I think about all the data that comes out of the game and how we might make it available, monetize it and use it to create a better fan experience,” he said. Gambling partnerships, too? Kliavkoff told me gambling sponsorship deals would be handled on a case-by-case basis by the 12 conference members. Colorado was the first NCAA member to partner with a gambling entity, signing a five-year agreement with an online sportsbook. As an aside, wagering on collegiate sporting events isn’t currently legal in Oregon. You can bet on the NFL, MLB, NBA, etc. but can’t wager on March Madness. A bill that would have allowed collegiate wagering stalled in the last legislative session when anti-gambling lobbyists and select tribal casinos successfully blocked it by asking for an in-depth study. Lawmakers will tell you that commissioning a study is code for: “Kill the bill.” Kliavkoff said the Pac-12 might be interested in someday lobbying lawmakers in various states within the conference footprint. “If it’s not legalized it doesn’t mean it’s not happening,” he said. “Illegal sports betting is a big multiple in terms of revenue and legal betting, even today. If you legalize it you have the ability to tax it, regulate it and make sure that the rules are being adhered to…” Mr. FishDuck Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Annie No. 2 Share Posted March 17, 2022 You mean I was breaking the law when I won a whole $20 in the 1999 men's basketball bracket? 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steven A Moderator No. 3 Share Posted March 17, 2022 On 3/17/2022 at 11:00 AM, Annie said: You mean I was breaking the law when I won a whole $20 in the 1999 men's basketball bracket? At least you didn't end up getting fired for it like a certain "slick" uw FB coach. Of course, he sued and won. 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
