LIVE UPDATES: Joint ACC, Big Ten, Pac-12 Press Conference
WHEN: Tuesday, August 24, 2021 (11:00 a.m. PT / 1:00 p.m. CT / 2:00 p.m. ET)
WHAT: Joint ACC, Big Ten and Pac-12 media video conference
PARTICIPANTS:
- ACC Commissioner James Phillips
- Big Ten Commissioner Kevin Warren
- Pac-12 Commissioner George Kliavkoff
FORMAT: Each participant will make opening remarks, followed by questions from the media.
Quotes from the ACC, Big Ten and Pac-12 CEO chairs:
Duke University President & Chair of the ACC Board of Directors Vincent E. Price
“The alliance is first and foremost a statement about the vital connection of academic excellence to college athletics. Our members include 41 of the top public and private universities in the world which will soon have new ways to compete at the very highest levels in sports, and to collaborate in education, research and service to society. Together we will be able to use our strong voice and united vision to create the best possible experience for our student-athletes and institutions.”
University of Wisconsin Chancellor and Big Ten Conference Council of Presidents/Chancellors (COP/C) Chair Dr. Rebecca Blank:
“The Big Ten Conference has always prioritized academic excellence as well as athletic excellence for student-athletes. Today’s announcement reinforces the values of integrity, fairness and competitiveness among all members of this alliance and provides additional opportunities for our student-athletes to enhance their collegiate experience.”
University of Oregon President & Chair of the Pac-12 Board of Directors Michael Schill
"The Pac-12 is thrilled to join with so many world-class universities in a collaborative effort to support our student-athletes through an unwavering commitment to excellence in academics and athletics. Together we can help shape a future for college athletics where broad-based athletic programs in concert with educational opportunities allow us to support the next generation of leaders."
LIVE UPDATES:
Phillips: "It was three motivated commissioners who felt like it was time to come together ... It's been over the last month or so that we've literally been married to one another ... As far as the execution of it moving forward, it begins now. It begins today."
Kliavkoff: "We have a contractual commitment to play 9 games."
Kliavkoff: "I'm okay with there not being a signed contract ... We didn't focus on that, we didn't even talk about that."
Warren: "We have a responsibility to our future generations to do what's right."
Phillips on the lack of a signed document: "It's about trust. We've looked each other in the eye and made an agreement."
Phillips: "This was a time we felt we had a responsibility to stabilize a volatile environment ... To focus on the things we needed to do for college athletics to not only survive, but excel ... Sometimes it can't be driven by money."
Kliavkoff: "There is no intention to stop our teams from being able to, within the alliance, from scheduling games with teams in other conferences ... It is our hope that they continue to schedule games with other Power 5 conferences, and other conferences in Division 1, as well."
Phillips: "We want and need the Big 12 to do well."
Warren: "There are a lot of fine institutions in the Big 12 ... Hopefully this will bring some much needed stability to college athletics ... Now it will allow people to understand where everyone else stands ... Hopefully this will allow other conferences to work through their various issues."
Kliavkoff: "There may be residual benefits for revenue from this alliance, but that wasn't the focus ... we weren't focused on revenue when we were creating the alliance."
Kliavkoff: "There is no signed document. There is an agreement between three gentlemen ... there is no signed contract, and there doesn't need to be."
Warren: "We are not going to interfere with any contracts that already exist ... this is about honoring those contracts and building relationships ... and to see if there is opportunity to build early- or mid-season tournaments or unique games that will come together."
Warren: "We already have some existing relationships between the ACC, Big Ten and Pac-12 ... I believe between 2022-2035 there are already 68 games that are on the schedule from a football standpoint."
Kliavkoff: "The Pac-12 is 100% in favor of the expanded college playoff"
The press conference has begun Q&A.
George Kliavkoff: "More issues have emerged in college athletics in the last three months than in any other time in history."
Warren: "Hopefully this alliance will stabilize issues we are facing in college athletics ... and allow our athletes to play in some epic matchups."
Kevin Warren: "There is turbulence right now in college athletics ... we need to have strong leadership, we need to work together."
Goals of the alliance, per conference release:
- Student-athlete mental and physical health, safety, wellness and support
- Strong academic experience and support
- Diversity, equity and inclusion
- Social justice
- Gender equity
- Future structure of the NCAA
- Federal legislative efforts
- Postseason championships and future formats
The alliance will "elevate the national profile" of each school by creating coast-to-coast competition.
The alliance will focus on creating cross-conference schedules for football, men's and women's basketball, and olympic sports.
Phillips: "Our everyday commitment to our student athletes will only be enhanced by this alliance."
Phillips officially announces the three conference will form an alliance.
Commissioners James Phillips (ACC), Kevin Warren (Big Ten), and George Kliavkoff (Pac-12) are making opening remarks.
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