George Kliavkoff

George Kliavkoff. He is an American sports and media executive who has served as the commissioner of the Pac-12 Conference since 2021. His tenure has been defined by navigating the league through a period of profound instability in collegiate athletics, marked by significant membership losses and media rights negotiations. Prior to leading the Pac-12, Kliavkoff held prominent roles in the Las Vegas entertainment and digital media industries, bringing a nontraditional background to the world of college sports administration.

Early life and education

George Kliavkoff was born in New York City and grew up in Montclair, New Jersey. He pursued his undergraduate education at Boston University, graduating with a Bachelor of Science in business administration. He then earned his Juris Doctor degree from the University of Virginia School of Law, a background that would later inform his contractual and negotiation strategies in executive roles. Following law school, he began his professional career in the legal department of the Cooley Godward law firm, focusing on technology and intellectual property law.

Career in media and entertainment

Kliavkoff's career shifted toward the intersection of media, technology, and entertainment in the late 1990s. He joined the digital media division of Major League Baseball Advanced Media (MLBAM), where he played a key role in developing early streaming and digital content strategies. He later served as the President of Digital and Business Development for the NBCUniversal Television Group, overseeing digital initiatives for properties like NBC, USA Network, and Bravo. His most prominent role before entering college sports was as the President of Entertainment and Sports for MGM Resorts International, based in Las Vegas. In this position, he oversaw major venues like T-Mobile Arena and played a central part in bringing professional sports franchises, including the Vegas Golden Knights of the National Hockey League and the Las Vegas Aces of the Women's National Basketball Association, to the city.

Commissioner of the Pac-12 Conference

On May 13, 2021, Kliavkoff was unanimously selected by the Pac-12 Conference presidents and chancellors to succeed Larry Scott as commissioner, beginning his term on July 1, 2021. His appointment was seen as a move toward fresh leadership with expertise in media and live events. Key early initiatives included negotiating the conference's new ESPN and Fox media rights deal, which was set to expire in 2024, and launching the Pac-12 Network's long-awaited direct-to-consumer streaming service. He also emphasized improving football officiating and fostering a more collaborative relationship with the conference's member universities, such as the University of Southern California, University of Oregon, and University of California, Los Angeles.

Leadership during conference realignment

Kliavkoff's tenure was immediately tested by the seismic shifts of NCAA conference realignment. In the summer of 2022, UCLA and the University of Southern California announced their departure from the Pac-12 to join the Big Ten Conference in 2024. This triggered a period of extreme vulnerability for the conference. Kliavkoff led protracted media rights negotiations in an attempt to secure a viable financial future for the remaining members, including Washington, Oregon, and the University of Arizona. However, in 2023, those schools, along with others, accepted invitations to join the Big 12 Conference and the Big Ten Conference, effectively reducing the Pac-12 Conference to two members. This period was marked by high-stakes meetings with university presidents and public disputes with other conference commissioners like Brett Yormark of the Big 12 Conference.

Personal life

George Kliavkoff is married and has children. He maintains a residence in the San Francisco Bay Area, where the Pac-12 Conference headquarters are located. An avid sports fan, his professional background has deeply connected him to the sports landscapes of Las Vegas and the West Coast of the United States. He has served on the board of directors for the Las Vegas Super Bowl Host Committee and is involved with various community and charitable organizations. Category:1967 births Category:Living people Category:American sports executives Category:Pac-12 Conference commissioners Category:Boston University alumni Category:University of Virginia School of Law alumni