Pac-12 appoints Gould as new commissioner

The Pac-12's board of directors hired Teresa Gould as the conference's new commissioner, the league announced Monday.

Gould previously served as Pac-12 deputy commissioner and as an associate commissioner of the West Coast Conference.

"As the first female commissioner of an Autonomy Five conference, Teresa will be able to bring new perspectives and fresh ideas to the table as the industry works to find its way through this shifting landscape," Pac-12 board chair Kirk Schulz said in a statement. "We look forward to her leadership as we write the next chapter in the Pac-12's storied history."

Gould will assume the role March 1, succeeding outgoing commissioner George Kliavkoff, whose tenure concludes Feb. 29.

The Pac-12 conference has experienced significant change over the past few years. Ten members have defected to other Power 5 conferences and will officially depart this summer. Oregon State and Washington State are the only two conference members remaining.

"I look forward to partnering with Oregon State and Washington State to secure a bright future for their student-athletes that allows them to compete at the highest level of college athletics, while enjoying the benefits of a quality campus experience," Gould said.

Both schools announced a football scheduling partnership with the Mountain West Conference and an affiliate membership agreement with the West Coast Conference in the short term.

"I look forward to working with both campus and national leaders to find solutions that will preserve opportunities for student-athletes and set us up for long-term viability and success," Gould said.

The Pac-12's new commissioner is expected to meet with the media at the end of February, closer to her official start date.