Commissioner George Kliavkoff -- Pac-12 steady despite USC, UCLA departures

LOS ANGELES — After weeks of speculation about the future of the Pac-12 in the wake of decisions from USC and UCLA to leave for the Big Ten, conference commissioner George Kliavkoff hit back at the assertion the league is on unstable ground.

«We are bullish about the Pac-12's future and our opportunities for long-term growth, stability and success,» Kliavkoff said at Pac-12 media day Friday. «Our conference boasts 10 of the most iconic and innovative brands in all of sports, all-around excellence in academics and athletics and a half-dozen of the most valuable markets in this country.»

Several of the remaining Pac-12 schools have been mentioned as possible expansion targets for the Big Ten and Big 12, and comments from both conference commissioners have only fueled the idea. Asked about potentially adding Pac-12 schools earlier this month, the Big 12's Brett Yormark said the conference is «open for business.»

That didn't sit well with Kliavkoff, who pointed to the unspecified projected value of the Pac-12 media rights compared to the Big 12 and dismissed the idea that the Big 12 is a more desirable location.

«With respect to the Big 12 being 'open for business,'» Kliavkoff said, «I appreciate that. We haven't decided if we're going shopping there yet or not.»

Kliavkoff's jab came during a question-and-answer session in which he spoke of his desire for more collegiality among his peers. But he also wasn't about to let what was being said elsewhere go unanswered.

«I've been spending four weeks trying to defend against grenades that have been lobbed in from every corner of the Big 12, trying to destabilize our remaining conference,» Kliavkoff said. «And I understand why they're doing it. When you look at the relative media