Judge issues ruling in case between Pac-12 and Washington State, Oregon State
Washington State and Oregon State secured a major win Tuesday in a court case against the departing 10 members of the Pac-12 conference.
That hearing was in Whitman (Washington) County between the departing members of the Pac-12, Oregon State and Washington State with Judge Gary Libey presiding over the case.
The case centered around control of the conference’s governance and assets with the 10 departing members wanting to maintain votes on the league’s board.
Meanwhile, Washington State and Oregon State wanted to be the sole voting members of the board to determine what happens to the conference’s assets and governance. In the end, Libey sided with the two remaining schools as the only controlling members of the conference’s Board of Directors.
Whitman (Wash.) County Judge Gary Libey has ruled: He grants Washington State & Oregon State’s motion for preliminary injunction, giving the two schools control of Pac-12 governance and assets – an estimated $400 million this year.
The ruling will almost certainly be appealed.
— Ross Dellenger (@RossDellenger) November 15, 2023
“I grew up in a place where conduct spoke more than words. What you do and how you do it, is what counts in life,” Libey said as a part of the decision per Matt Loveless.
As a part of the decision, the departing 10 members will be allowed to comment, object or provide input to the board, but they will not have voting power on the Board of Directors. The injunction will be modified to maintain fairness to the 10 departing members, and it is expected that the decision will be appealed to a high court.
WSU and Oregon State will be the only members of the Pac-12 Board of Directors. The other 10 schools schools may comment, object, or provide input. The preliminary injunction will be modified to be sure the Departing 10 are treated fairly.
— Matt Loveless (@MattLoveless) November 15, 2023