ASU's Ray Anderson Optimistic About New Pac-12 Commissioner

TEMPE, AZ — Count Arizona State University Athletic Director Ray Anderson as a fan of the Pac-12's newest commissioner.

Anderson, in a call with members of the media, expressed confidence in George Kliavkoff, who replaces Larry Scott as the Pac-12's commissioner.

"I'm optimistic because you heard him say unequivocally that football was key, along with men's basketball, as a revenue driver," Anderson said. "And he's also going to pay attention to all the other wonderful things we do, including our women's sports, the bread and butter are those sports.

"So we were able to also talk privately about the importance of, very frankly, upgrading, fixing, Pac-12 football."

Anderson said that Kliavkoff, who previously as the president of entertainment and sports for MGM Resorts International, brings a fresh approach to collegiate athletics.

"I think having a close relationship with the AD's and the coaches to push the football agenda, even mentioning some things like the structure, including scheduling both conference and non-conference games," Anderson said.

"So I think we're enthusiastic, for sure. Because I think the new commissioner understands that football is critical. But he also understands that he hasn't been around competitive sports and certainly football."

Leaving San Francisco

Another topic that Anderson discussed on Thursday was the Pac-12's looming decision on whether to pull the plug on its San Francisco headquarters building.

It's a subject that's become of-importance for the conference, given the $6.9 million in yearly rental payments that the Pac-12 pays for the office, according to The Oregonian's John Canzano.

Anderson said the conference and its new commissioner are keeping an open mind when it comes to its next headquarters location.

"We've talked about the viability of moving out of San Francisco for three or four years," Anderson said. "And so the lease comes to a close in a couple of years, and I certainly think the option of moving to a different locale is absolutely on the table.

"Could it be Las Vegas? Could it be Phoenix, Arizona? I think you have to put those two on a list of possibilities, if in fact the chancellors and presidents, and ultimately the commissioner, determined that we needed to move out of the Bay Area."

Above all, Anderson expressed optimism in how open-minded Kliavkoff was about working alongside the Pac-12's athletic directors and coaches going forward.

"He made it very clear that he is going to work on relationships," Anderson said. "He immediately mentioned going on a listening tour, which means he wants to get on-campus physically as soon as he can to get to know the campuses and the folks who helped run athletics, from the athletic directors to the deputy athletic directors and so on.

"And that's really strategic. But frankly, he also reiterated to me that, 'Hey, look, I understand that my relationship with the AD's has be as partners, true partners, and he's committed to doing that."