The Pac-12 board of directors today announced that Teresa Gould has been appointed as the new commissioner of the Pac-12 Conference, succeeding Commissioner George Kliavkoff, effective March 1, 2024.  With today’s news, Gould is set to become the first-ever female commissioner of an Autonomy Five conference. 

“Teresa’s deep knowledge of collegiate athletics and unwavering commitment to student-athletes makes her uniquely qualified to help guide the Pac-12 Conference during this period of unprecedented change in college sports,” said Washington State University President Kirk Schulz, chair of the Pac-12 Board of Directors. “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. We look forward to her leadership as we write the next chapter in the Pac-12’s storied history."

Gould added, "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. Working in collaboration with their leadership and our talented staff, I am excited to build a pathway for the future that allows their programs to thrive." 

Over the past months, Oregon State University and Washington State University announced both a football scheduling partnership with the Mountain West Conference and an affiliate membership agreement with the West Coast Conference. Going forward, the Pac-12 will continue to sponsor select sports, sign media rights partnerships, and produce live events and content from the Pac-12 Enterprises studio in San Ramon, Calif. 

“We find ourselves navigating an extraordinarily complex time in our industry. The challenges we face must be met head on, with a reinvigorated energy to transform and forge ahead. 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," continued Gould. 

Gould will meet with media and answer reporter’s questions regarding her new role at the end of the month closer to her official starting date. 

Gould joined the Pac-12 in August 2018, bringing more than three decades of leadership experience across a variety of successful roles in Division I intercollegiate athletics, including time as a director of athletics, a campus senior administrator and a conference executive. As Deputy Commissioner, Gould oversaw management of all Pac-12 sports, including oversight of championship events, as well as compliance, governance, operations and events, student-athlete engagement and the Pac-12 Student-Athlete Health & Well-Being Initiative (SAHWBI). 

Prior to joining the Pac-12 Conference, Gould served in a variety of roles at the University of California, Davis, including interim director of athletics from 2015-16, associate executive director and chief revenue officer of the alumni association, and director of the UC Davis Partnership Program. 

From 2001-14, Gould worked in the athletic department at the University of California, Berkeley, where she held several leadership positions, including deputy director of athletics, external relations, and chief of staff to the athletic director.  During that time, Gould also served as a member of the Pac-12 Council. Gould also spent eight years at the West Coast Conference where she served as associate commissioner, as well as three years in the media industry with ESPN Regional Television (formerly Creative Sports) in the role of conference coordination and rights acquisition. 

During her distinguished career in college sports, Gould has been appointed to multiple NCAA committees, including the NCAA Management Council (former name for the Division I Council).  She is also a former WBCA Administrator of the Year for her leadership in the sport of women’s basketball.