Judge bars Pac-12 from having board meeting

Pete Thamel, ESPNSep 11, 2023, 04:55 PM ET A state judge in Washington gave a short-term restraining order on Monday to prevent the Pac-12 conference from meeting as a board later on this week.Judge Gary Libey

ruled in favor of Oregon State in Washington State in Whitman County Superior Court after they collectively submitted a complaint on Friday that saw the potential of the Pac-12 conference as a board and voting as an “impending and existential hazard” to the future of the conference.The judgment for the short-term limiting order both prevents a Pac-12 board conference scheduled for Wednesday and also establishes a preliminary injunction hearing that is anticipated to identify who comprises the voting members of the Pac-12 board of directors.That hearing has not been set, however would

likely be arranged in October. It could include file and e-mail discovery from the Pac-12 and member schools and live witness statement from prominent authorities around the Pac-12. Editor’s Picks”Today’s ruling is an important initial step to bring clarity and fairness to Pac 12 governance,”said Drew Tulumello, counsel to Washington State and school president Kirk Schulz.” The future of the Pac 12 must be managed by the schools who remain, not those who go. “Oregon State and Washington State have argued that they need to be the only ballot members staying in

the conference, mentioning precedent that previous members who’ve informed the Pac-12 of their withdrawal from the league have actually lost voting rights.In the last 18 months, 10 members have actually departed the Pac-12. That’s left just Oregon State and Washington State to sort through the remaining properties and liabilities as they try to figure out whether or not it’s worth pressing forward with the league. There’s value in the league’s name, tv network, staying possessions and NCAA guys’s basketball competition units that could be used as a lure to assist in a merger with the Mountain West.Oregon State and Washington State submitted supporting exhibits that consisted of a letter from the Pac-12’s general counsel to Colorado in July that informed them clearly that efficient immediately”CU no longer has the right to vote on any matter before the Board.”In the hearing on Monday, lawyer Eric MacMichael argued on behalf of Oregon State and Washington State that all the schools want is “to see if they can conserve this conference and allow it to move on. “The Pac-12’s attorney present at the hearing, Mark Lambert, argued for the meeting to be held in order to conduct league organization. He said the league has almost 200 employees and is working to”

keep its lights “on and keep”vital employees in place. “He included that commissioner George Kliavkoff, who was not present at the hearing, remains in a dreadful position and is just trying to keep league organization moving smoothly.” Every Saturday till June of next year, he’s responsible for all [league] activity,”Lambert said.The Pac-12 decreased remark.