N※N

Pac-12 Hires Rick Hart as Deputy Commissioner to Drive Revenue, Stabilize Conference

  //sports-competition.news-articles.net/content/2 .. ioner-to-drive-revenue-stabilize-conference.html
  Published in Sports and Competition on Wednesday, January 7th 2026 at 11:27 GMT by Seattle Times
      Locale: Washington, UNITED STATES

Pac-12 Bolsters Leadership with Rick Hart Hire, Signaling Aggressive Future Despite Ongoing Uncertainty

The Pac-12 Conference, navigating a turbulent period of realignment and future uncertainty, has appointed Rick Hart, formerly the Director of Athletics at SMU, as its Deputy Commissioner, effective immediately. This move, detailed in a recent Seattle Times article and corroborated by conference statements, signals a proactive attempt to stabilize the conference and position it for future success, despite the looming questions surrounding its media rights and membership. Hart’s hiring is being widely interpreted as a key component of Commissioner George Kliavkoff’s strategy to rebuild confidence and secure a viable path forward for the remaining Pac-12 schools.

Hart brings a wealth of experience in athletic administration and fundraising to the Pac-12. At SMU, he oversaw a period of significant athletic program growth, including the Mustangs’ successful transition to the American Athletic Conference and, crucially, their pending move to the ACC in 2024. This transition, while ultimately costing SMU a substantial exit fee from the AAC, was presented by Hart as a strategic move to enhance the university’s national profile and secure long-term stability – a narrative the Pac-12 desperately needs to cultivate currently.

The Seattle Times article highlights Hart’s fundraising prowess as a key reason for his recruitment. During his tenure at SMU, Hart dramatically increased athletic fundraising, securing major gifts and strengthening donor relations. This is precisely the skill set Kliavkoff believes is critical for the Pac-12. The conference is facing a significant revenue shortfall after the departures of USC, UCLA, Oregon, and Washington to other conferences. Rebuilding a robust revenue stream through donations, sponsorships, and a revamped media rights deal is paramount to ensuring the survival and competitiveness of the remaining members: Washington State, Oregon State, California, and Stanford.

Kliavkoff, in a statement relayed through the Seattle Times, explicitly stated Hart’s role will be focused on “driving revenue generation, enhancing the student-athlete experience, and bolstering the conference’s brand.” This underscores the urgency of the situation. The Pac-12’s failure to secure a competitive media rights deal was widely cited as a primary catalyst for the recent exodus of prominent programs. While negotiations continue, the conference is exploring all options, including potential partnerships with streaming services and even considering a temporary hiatus from full-fledged football competition – a prospect floated in various reports and acknowledged as a possibility by university presidents.

Hart’s experience navigating conference realignment at SMU also positions him as a valuable asset. The Dallas Morning News reported extensively on SMU's journey to the ACC, detailing the complex negotiations and financial considerations involved. This insight could prove invaluable as the Pac-12 continues to explore potential expansion opportunities, potentially looking to fill the gaps left by departing schools. While a quick return to a strong 12-team conference appears unlikely, Hart's understanding of the realignment landscape could help the Pac-12 make strategic decisions about its future membership.

The appointment isn’t without its critics. Some observers point to the irony of hiring an administrator from a school actively leaving a conference while the Pac-12 is struggling to maintain its own. However, Kliavkoff and the Pac-12 see Hart’s experience at SMU as a positive – he successfully navigated a complex realignment process, even if it meant ultimately leaving his current conference. They believe he understands the pressures facing universities in the current college sports landscape.

Looking ahead, Hart’s immediate task will be to work alongside Kliavkoff to finalize a new media rights agreement. The conference’s board of directors recently granted Kliavkoff full authority to negotiate on their behalf, and Hart’s fundraising and negotiation skills are expected to be heavily utilized in these discussions. Beyond media rights, Hart will focus on strengthening relationships with existing Pac-12 schools, fostering a sense of unity and shared purpose amidst the ongoing instability.

The hiring of Rick Hart is a clear indication that the Pac-12 is not passively accepting its fate. While the challenges are immense, the conference is actively attempting to rebuild its foundation and secure a future, albeit one that will likely look dramatically different from its recent past. Whether Hart can successfully navigate these challenges and restore the Pac-12 to its former glory remains to be seen, but his appointment represents a significant step toward a more proactive and aggressive approach.