Previously, Pac-10 Commissioner Tom Hansen had announced that he was stepping down at the beginning of July. The Pac-10 with its usual speed and decisiveness have done little to suggest they have narrowed down their list of candidates. Instead the list appeared to be growing, and the candidates will not be narrowed until maybe the spring.Since last week, there was a growing rumor that after signing with the William Morris Agency, former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice was a candidate for the position of Commissioner of the Pac-10. This would be a shift from returning to Stanford to teach, write and lecture as previously announced.
Rice had a spokesperson put an end to the rumors by confirming she was approached, but that she would not pursue the position.
"She was approached and she was flattered, but she declined this opportunity to pursue her teaching at Stanford and her pursuit of educational initiatives and the books that she has chosen to write,'' said Colby Cooper, a spokesman for Rice. "But she will remain a fan and a strong advocate of Pac-10 athletics.''
Given the money Rice stands to make from book deals, speaking engagements and television appearances, she is definitely taking the easier path and more money.
Besides why should she want to repeat what she has been dealing with in Washington? There's no trying to defend questionable and unpopular policies -- the BCS system or Iraq. Plus, no dealing with a lot of old, white men -- member presidents and athletic directors or Congress, President Bush and Vice President Cheney.
