Larry Scott (sports administrator)

Larry Scott (born in New York City, New York) is an American sports executive best known for his tenure as commissioner of the Pac-12 Conference from 2009 to 2021.

Scott's career began in professional tennis, where he served as a player and later as the chief executive officer of the Women's Tennis Association (WTA) from 1993 to 2003. During his time at the WTA, he significantly increased its global presence and revenue, negotiating lucrative television and sponsorship deals.

In 2009, Scott was appointed commissioner of the Pac-12 Conference, succeeding Tom Hansen. His vision for the conference included enhancing its media rights and expanding its reach. One of his signature achievements was negotiating a landmark 12-year, $3 billion media rights deal with ESPN and Fox in 2011. As part of this deal, he launched the Pac-12 Network, consisting of one national network and six regional networks dedicated to showcasing Pac-12 sports.

Scott's tenure also saw the expansion of the conference with the addition of Utah and Colorado in 2011, becoming the Pac-12. He emphasized the academic excellence of the Pac-12 institutions and implemented initiatives to support student-athletes.

However, Scott's leadership faced increasing scrutiny in later years. Criticism arose regarding the Pac-12 Network's limited distribution compared to other major conference networks. Revenue generated by the Pac-12 lagged behind that of the Big Ten and Southeastern Conferences, causing concern among member schools. His high salary also became a point of contention.

In January 2021, Scott and the Pac-12 announced a mutual agreement to part ways, with his tenure officially ending on June 30, 2021. He was succeeded by George Kliavkoff. Larry Scott's legacy remains a subject of debate, recognized for his ambitious vision and significant media deals, but also criticized for the Pac-12's financial struggles and diminishing competitiveness towards the end of his tenure.