Pac-12 Parting Ways With Longtime Commissioner Larry Scott

Now that the national championship game has come and gone, we can officially say we made it through the college football season. Technically, that includes Pac-12 commissioner Larry Scott, but barely.

According to Michael Smith with the Sports Business Journal, the Pac-12 is parting ways with Scott. That news comes after a meeting on Wednesday night from conference CEOs. Smith also announced that the search for a new commissioner will begin immediately.

The move won't become official until June, but it will mark the end of an 11-year run for Scott. The contract for Scott wasn't supposed to be up until midway through 2022, but he has decided to step down a year early.

Look, no one is denying that the Pac-12 has fallen behind other conferences. Dealing with the differences in time zones is one thing, but revenue streams and television exposure are important. This is an area where Scott clearly failed in comparison.

Does this move have anything to do with the conference being reactive to Big Ten decisions regarding the COVID-19 pandemic? It's possible, but we don't really know. The bottom line is Scott -- and the Pac-12 -- were exposed in some ways during the months leading up to the season.

The lack of leadership was glaring, but there's more to this situation than that.

More than likely, this move is a reaction to the Pac-12 falling behind and Scott's performance as commissioner. No other conference has been left out of more College Football Playoff selections. Outside of Oregon back in 2014, the representation hasn't been great.

On-field performance may not be Scott's fault, but the national perception of the conference could be. Most people would agree that new blood is needed, and it looks like the Pac-12 agrees.

Expect a statement from the conference later this evening.

Follow Clint Lamb on Twitter @ClintRLamb.