Canzano: $3.6 million question for the Pac-2
Why did George Kliavkoff turn his back on OSU and WSU?
George Kliavkoff was in Las Vegas last Friday, where he handed Washington coach Kalen DeBoer the championship trophy, then ducked between UW’s mascot and quarterback Michael Penix Jr. and disappeared into the crowd.
It was an impressive escape.
I’ve watched the video more times than the Zapruder film. Kliavkoff must have rehearsed the exit. He said nothing. His footwork was flawless, he kept his back facing the television cameras, and avoided being booed.
I approached Kliavkoff on the field before kickoff. We spoke, briefly. Kliavkoff told me he’d be around later. I now regret that I wasn’t wearing the “Harry the Husky” mascot outfit, where I’d have been better positioned to talk with him after the game.
Kliavkoff will make $3.6 million in salary this year. He conducts a monthly ‘all-staff’ meeting with full-time employees of the conference and network. He also meets via Zoom with his executive team. I’ve talked with sponsors and Pac-12 partners who say they’ve been on conference calls with Kliavkoff, too.
He’s still working.
Just not for Oregon State and Washington State.