Will The Era Of Outrageous Salaries Ever End?

Pac-12 commissioner Larry Scott made $4.8 million in 2016. How is he worth this much money? Someone will point to the TV contracts he negotiated with ESPN and Fox along with the creation of the Pac-12 Network. But I’m pretty sure someone could have accomplished the same amount for $2.4 million per year. USC president Max Nikias $3.2 million in 2015. The answer to his … Continue reading Will The Era Of Outrageous Salaries Ever End?

How Will New President Impact Athletics?

Whoever USC hires as president will obviously be more concerned with implementing new policies, changing the culture and, of course, fund raising. But how will the new president affect athletics? Will Lynn Swann and Clay Helton be less secure under a president who did not hire them? Considering the impact of recent scandals on Max Nikias, will a new president be less sympathetic if more … Continue reading How Will New President Impact Athletics?

USC Morning Buzz: A Nuanced Look At Max Nikias

I want to offer a more-detailed view of soon-to-be former USC president Max Nikias. Perhaps no USC president wielded his power since Rufus B. von KleinSmid, who ran the campus for 26 years (1921-47). Nikias raised billions for the university. In the past 7 years, USC raised more than it did in the previous 65 years. Nikias also oversaw an amazing amount of construction highlighted … Continue reading USC Morning Buzz: A Nuanced Look At Max Nikias

USC President Max Nikias To Step Down

USC president Max Nikias will step down, according to a statement from Rick Caruso, a member of the Board of Trustees. “President Nikias and the Executive Committee of the Board of Trustees have agreed to begin an orderly transition and commence the process of selecting a new president,” Rick J. Caruso, a USC trustee, said in a letter to the campus Friday. “We recognize the … Continue reading USC President Max Nikias To Step Down

USC In National Spotlight For All Wrong Reasons

When USC is the lead story on the NBC Nightly News, you know the university is in the midst of a full-blown meltdown. But will things deteriorate enough for president Max Nikias to step down? The only way that would happen is if the Board of Trustees acted like his boss. Instead, they act like they work for him. I’ve yet to see a trustee … Continue reading USC In National Spotlight For All Wrong Reasons