Pac-12 commissioner Kliavkoff: 'We are actively exploring expansion'

Last month, USC and UCLA stunned the college football world by announcing they were leaving the Pac-12 for the Big Ten beginning in 2024.

On Friday morning during the Pac-12 Media Day, commissioner George Kliavkoff spoke publicly to the media for the first time since the news broke of the two schools leaving the conference.

He wasn't shy about the conference's plans for the future.

"We are very disappointed in the decisions by USC and UCLA to leave the Pac-12 and a century of rivalries after 2024," Kliavkoff said. "That said, USC and UCLA have been proud members of the Pac-12 for almost a century. Despite their decision, we cherish our relationship with their student-athletes, coaches, staff, faculty, alumni and fans."

The conference, he said, is moving forward.

"We are actively exploring expansion opportunities. As we consider these opportunities, we will look at media value, athletic strength, academic and cultural fit and geography from a recruiting and student-athlete experience standpoint.

"As you would expect, we have had significant interest and in the process of evaluating our opportunities."

Kliavkoff declined to discuss specific schools the Pac-12 could be targeting.

After USC and UCLA announced they were leaving the Pac-12, rumors began to swirl about the Big Ten going after more schools in the conference such as California, Oregon, Stanford and Washington. The Pac-12 has also dealt with rumors of the Big 12 targeting Arizona, Arizona State, Colorado and Utah.

Shooting back at Big 12

Big 12 Commissioner Brett Yormark also didn't downplay any rumors when he told reporters they were "open for business" at the conference's media days earlier this month.

Kliavkoff took a bit of a direct shot at Yormark's comments, saying "With respect to the Big 12 being open for business, I appreciate that. We haven't decided if we're going shopping there or not yet."

“I understand why they’re doing it, when you look at the relative media value between the two conferences," Kliavkoff added later. “I get it. I get why they’re scared, why they’re trying to destabilize it. I was just tired of that. That’s probably not the most collegial thing I've ever said.”

And he believes the 10 remaining members are "committed to the conference" long-term.

"We've had two board meetings a week for the last four weeks," Kliavkoff said. "Looking my colleagues in the eye, understanding their commitment, that their first priority is making sure that the Pac-12 survives, thrives and grows and is successful. I think the best thing to do is to ask them about it."

Although he didn't name specific schools they may target, adding schools like Boise State and San Diego State would make a lot of sense for the Pac-12 if they're going to try and compete with the Big Ten, SEC, ACC and Big 12 moving forward.

Boise State has been one of the best Group of 5 football programs in the country for the last 20 years. San Diego State has also been competitive in recent years and will allow the Pac-12 to keep a footprint in the Southern California area.

He also held open the door to a highly improbable return for UCLA: The public school has been ripped by California Gov. Gavin Newsom for the move, and the UC Board of Regents has ordered a review of the decision in a hearing scheduled for Oct. 17.

“I’d say UCLA is in a really difficult position,” Kliavkoff said. “There are a lot of constituents related to UCLA who are very, very, very unhappy with the decision. Student-athletes, the families of student-athletes. The faculty, the staff. The politicians, the fans, the alumni. ... I can’t give you a percentage chance. I think it’s unlikely. But if they came back, we’d welcome them back.”

Lanning has 'zero concerns' about recruiting in LA-area

How these rumors affect Oregon and its recruiting remains to be seen. In the meantime, the Ducks' 2023 recruiting class is among the best in the country entering the season.

According to 247Sports, Oregon's recruiting class ranks 22nd in the country (second in the Pac-12 to Washington) as the team has 11 verbal commitments. On3 Sports has Oregon ranked 13th, which is first in the conference.

California, especially the Los Angeles area, has been a fertile ground for Oregon as the school has entered the city and signed highly ranked recruits such as former Ducks defensive end Kayvon Thibodeaux.

Lanning doesn't appear to be too worried about the future of recruiting in the state of California, specifically in the Los Angeles area.

"I have zero concerns from that angle," Lanning said. "I know how strong our brand and product is and I share a vision that our leadership in the conference and our school shares.

"Oregon is a brand that is national, and we are going to play premier programs year in and year out. There's some great storied history in this conference. I'm excited about that as it continues forward.

"The conference champions the last four years are still in this conference. That's something that I'm excited to see and compete against for the next few years. I think the biggest way you control that narrative is you go and win games, and that's certainly our job at Oregon."

Contact Register-Guard sportswriter Antwan Staley at astaley@gannett.com and follow him on Twitter @antwanstaley.

This article originally appeared on Register-Guard: Pac-12 commissioner Kliavkoff: "We are actively exploring expansion"