Pac-12 Networks President Lydia Murphy-Stephans to step down at end of June to launch media advisory company

SAN FRANCISCO — The Pac-12 Conference announced that Lydia Murphy-Stephans, the former Olympic speed skater who, as president of Pac-12 Networks became the first woman to head a national sports network, will step down from her post in June.

Murphy-Stephans plans to launch a media advisory company later in the year, and in that capacity will act as a consultant to Pac-12 Networks.

“As Pac-12 Networks’ first general manager, Lydia’s energy and leadership were critical in turning our ambitious vision into a reality,” said Commissioner Larry Scott. “Then, upon becoming Networks president, she made history by becoming the first woman to head a national sports network. Under Lydia’s leadership, Pac-12 Networks grew dramatically both in programming and distribution reach, serving millions of our fans, helping to support our member universities, and providing unprecedented exposure to our women and Olympic student-athletes.”

Commenting on her tenure, as well as her plans for the future, Murphy-Stephans said: “I’m very proud of what we accomplished at Pac-12 Networks. We built the networks from the ground up with a unique ownership model that has created long-term value for the Pac-12 universities. We provided unprecedented exposure to women’s sports and Olympic athletes – something especially important to me. Now, with Pac-12 Networks firmly established and successful, it’s the perfect time for me to launch my new business and explore all kinds of opportunities across the media landscape.”

Realization of the Pac-12 Networks Vision

Murphy-Stephans and her team have grown the Pac-12 Networks – one national and six regional networks – into a powerhouse in sports and a valuable asset for the Conference and its member universities, increasing the Conference’s exposure and helping its programs achieve success. During Lydia’s tenure, Pac-12 Networks achievements included:

• Producing and distributing 850 live sporting events each year, far more than any other conference network
• Award-winning studio and feature programming
• Half of programming devoted to women’s and Olympic sports
• Profitable every year from inception
• Growth in distribution from our original four distribution partners (Comcast, TimeWarner, Cox, and Bright House) to more than 75 national providers across cable, satellite, telco, and IP (over the top).
• Cutting-edge production capabilities
• Innovative digital and multi-media platforms
• A diverse and talented staff
• Educational and internship opportunities for Pac-12 students

Scott also noted, “on a personal level, Lydia has been a great colleague.  I have benefited daily from her deep knowledge of the industry and her wisdom, and I wish her every success in her new venture.”

About the Pac-12 Conference and Pac-12 Networks:
Recognized as the 'Conference of Champions' for its unequaled NCAA Championships, the Pac-12 Conference comprises the 12 leading universities located in the Western United States: The University of Arizona, Arizona State University, the University of California-Berkeley, the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA), the University of Colorado, the University of Oregon, Oregon State University, Stanford University, the University of Southern California, the University of Utah, the University of Washington and Washington State University.

Pac-12 Networks is a 24/7 media company that consists of one national and six regional TV networks, and digital properties designed to connect fans with their favorite Pac-12 teams and universities. The six regional networks represent each region of the Pac-12 territory; Arizona (Arizona and Arizona State); Bay Area (Cal and Stanford), Los Angeles (UCLA and USC); Mountain (Colorado and Utah); Oregon (Oregon and Oregon State) and Washington (Washington and Washington State). The networks’ digital properties include Pac-12.com, the official athletic sites and social media accounts of the universities and Pac-12 Now, the TV Everywhere service that allows fans to watch Pac-12 Networks remotely on any device.