Oregon State and Washington State win legal motion against Pac-12 with fans cheering
You simply can’t make any of this stuff up. The legal proceeding on Monday involving the Pac-12 Conference and the “Pac-2” of Washington State and Oregon State was too wild to easily sum up in a single sentence.
Yes, the presiding judge ruled in favor of Washington State and Oregon State. The judge ruled that the Pac-12 and commissioner George Kliavkoff could not convene a board meeting later this week, at least not until other hurdles are cleared and dealt with. The Pac-12 had wanted to convene a board meeting with some of the schools which have intended to leave the conference. Washington State and Oregon State think those schools should have zero say in what the conference does and how it manages its assets. WSU and OSU want control of those assets and the decision-making processes which govern them. That’s the main news story from this hearing. However, the details of this hearing are wild, and they create an irresistibly colorful story which begins with WSU and OSU fans cheering as the legal proceeding — done via Zoom — concluded on Monday afternoon.
Here are just some of the many wacky details from a vintage Pac-12 moment:
GO BEAVS! GO COUGS!
Here’s how today’s hearing ended (click for sound) — “Go Beavs!” and Go Cougs!” pic.twitter.com/H4cWKroUTl
— Nicole Auerbach (@NicoleAuerbach) September 11, 2023
ZOOM ZOOM!
Lots of unmuted "Go Beavs!" and "Go Cougs!" cries heard on the zoom call as it ended.
— John Canzano (@johncanzanobft) September 11, 2023
COLLEGE SPORTS, EVERYBODY!
college athletics are the dumbest, i love them https://t.co/kXAlJYf9mc
— Brian Floyd (@BrianMFloyd) September 11, 2023
ONE SHINING MOMENT!
This is my shining moment (I’m first in this) https://t.co/xnu0KbWz1w
— Peter | PM (@petermazzocco) September 11, 2023
BIGGER WIN THAN THE WISCONSIN GAME
💕 #GoCougs https://t.co/hgr1xLMDXJ
— Jessamyn McIntyre (@JessamynMcIntyr) September 11, 2023
GO JUDGE!
While many of you are likely yelling "GO BEAVS" or "GO COUGS!" I'm yelling "GO WHITMAN COUNTY SUPERIOR COURT and the rule of law!" https://t.co/HPKdAGUskQ
— ric sanchez (@ricsanchez) September 11, 2023
POIGNANT
brings a tear to your eye https://t.co/Eq8RTw3OsJ
— Connor Pelton (@ConnorPelton28) September 11, 2023
BOARDED UP
The Pac-12 cannot meet as a board moving forward without court approval.
Judge said that the league can still conduct its normal business. https://t.co/0p6FPP9OTt
— Nicole Auerbach (@NicoleAuerbach) September 11, 2023
THE ROAD AHEAD
OK, here's the deal (imo):
Keeping the conference up and running is a legitimate concern, but the 10 departing schools have *zero* case for board seats based on precedent since June 30, 2022.
There should be a way to execute the former while adhering to the latter.
— Jon Wilner (@wilnerhotline) September 11, 2023
HOLLYWOOD WRITERS COULD NOT COME UP WITH A SCRIPT LIKE THIS
The attorney currently making a well-constructed case against the 'Pac-10' vs the 'Pac-12' – Eric MacMichael – is a Cal law grad. Because of course.
— Jon Wilner (@wilnerhotline) September 11, 2023
SOLID ARGUMENT
"The meaning of the bylaws hasn't changed just because more members have decided to leave."
— Jon Wilner (@wilnerhotline) September 11, 2023
THE GRANDDADDY OF THEM ALL
I do love the judge overseeing this hearing. Great grandpa vibes.
— Nicole Auerbach (@NicoleAuerbach) September 11, 2023
IMPORTANT
Judge Gary Libey asks a hypothetical to Pac-12 attorney: What if the court said you can’t have the (Wednesday) meeting and run business and usual.
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) September 11, 2023
THE PAC-12 MADE THIS BED
The Pac-12's outside attorney, Mark Lambert, has rebutted by asking that the Wednesday Board Meeting be held in order to only address employee retention and services. He adds George Kliavkoff is in "a terrible position."
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) September 11, 2023
SEEMS LIKE AN AIRTIGHT POINT
Attorney Eric MacMichael arguing for Oregon State and Washington State for a temporary restraining order to not allow the Pac-12 to have a Board Meeting on Wednesday: "They are not allowed to have their cake and eat it, too," he said of departing Pac-12 members.
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) September 11, 2023
PRECEDENT APPEARS TO EXIST
The OSU/WSU hearing for a Temporary Restraining Order is underway. At the heart is who has voting rights in the conference. In an exhibit is the Pac-12's letter to Colorado after that school went to the Big 12.
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) September 11, 2023
DETAILS
The letter states: "Under Section CB 2-3 of the Pac-12’s Constitution and Bylaws, Chancellor DiStefano and CU’s representation on the Pac-12’s Board of Directors automatically ceases effective immediately, and CU no longer has the right to vote on any matter before the Board."
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) September 11, 2023
MORE NUANCES EMERGE
Short-term: The 12 schools now have the judge's blessing to act on immediate matters affecting this school year.
Long-term: The court will still need to address the issue of which members can vote on matters regarding the future of the conference. Is it only Ore St and Wazzu?
— Stewart Mandel (@slmandel) September 11, 2023
SMALL-TOWN JUSTICE
WSU President Kirk Schulz and athletic director Pat Chun just arrived at Whitman County Superior Court. Arguing to stop a meeting of the 12 current members and remove decision-making powers from the 10 who’ve announced they’re leaving the conference. pic.twitter.com/fLOhrHPDCU
— Matt Loveless (@MattLoveless) September 11, 2023
COLFAX, WASHINGTON
it’s serious business but i’m chuckling watching this all happen in colfax https://t.co/rA224OYP62
— Brian Floyd (@BrianMFloyd) September 11, 2023
COLFAX FACTS
For further context, this is taking place in a town of 2,700 with roughly 3 stoplights. … but an uncanny ability for said town to issue roughly 1 zillion speeding tickets per year (give or take a few billion). https://t.co/GG2yS7809D
— Tim Booth (@ByTimBooth) September 11, 2023
BIGGEST LAUGH OF THE DAY
“George Kliavkoff is in a horrible place”
“He’s in Montana” – Judge
😂😂😂
— Pat Beaverman (@pmoen15) September 11, 2023
WASHINGTON STATE STATEMENT
A step in the right direction. #GoCougs #GoBeavs pic.twitter.com/ggS095T3B2
— WSU Office of the President (@WSU_Cougar_Pres) September 11, 2023
OREGON STATE PRESIDENT REACTION
“I am pleased with today’s decision. As the two remaining Pac- 12 members, Oregon State and Washington State must be able to chart a path forward for the Pac 12–not the members that have chosen to leave it.”
— Jayathi Murthy (@OregonStatePres) September 11, 2023