Oregon State, Washington State file motion for injunction to take control of Pac-12
Attorneys for Oregon State and Washington State filed a motion for a preliminary injunction on Wednesday that would give them full control of the Pac-12 governing board, according Jon Wilner of The Mercury News.
The motion would ensure that all outgoing schools lose their seats, leaving the Beavers and Cougars as the only two schools with rights to vote on matters regarding the conference. Oregon State and Washington State are the only members of the current Pac-12 who are not set to join new leagues in 2024.
“Today Oregon State and Washington State asked the court to confirm the departing schools lost their Board seats following their notices of withdrawal from the conference,” the two schools said in a joint statement.
“The evidence we have uncovered thus far in discovery overwhelmingly shows this is consistent with the position that the conference and the departing members themselves had taken up until just weeks before Oregon State and Washington State were forced to file our litigation.”
The motion points to a statement made by Pac-12 commissioner George Kliavkoff when USC and UCLA announced their move to the Big Ten in June 2022. Kliavkoff stated that the Trojans and Bruins were “were removed as Board representatives under the Constitution and Bylaws following their notice of withdrawal from the Pac-12.”
The Pac-12 sent a letter to Colorado after it announced its move to the Big 12 stating its spot on the board “ceases effective immediately.” Kliavkoff then texted a reporter that the Pac-12 had only four board members after five more schools departed for the Big Ten and Big 12. However, the commissioner attempted to convene all 12 schools for a meeting just a few weeks later.
Oregon State and Washington State are reportedly considering rebuilding the Pac-12 with members from the Mountain West. However, they fear that remaining schools could block the move and “irreparably” harm the Beavers and Cougars.
“We did not create or seek these circumstances, but OSU and WSU will continue to take whatever actions are necessary to protect our universities,” WSU and OSU said in their joint statement. “The future of the Pac-12 should be decided by the schools that stay, not those that leave.”
If granted, the injunction would give Oregon State and Washington State full control of the Pac-12’s assets. That includes more than $50 million in future NCAA Tournament payouts, which the schools could use to both improve their athletic departments and rebuild the conference.
Washington filed a motion to join the Pac-12 and Kliavkoff as a defendant in the case earlier this month to defend itself and the other nine departing schools. A preliminary injunction hearing on the issue is scheduled for Nov. 14.