US congressman celebrates UCLA firing its AD, calls him a 'moron'
SFGATE • • sports
Key Points:
- UCLA fired athletic director Martin Jarmond after over six years, citing a significant financial deficit of more than $240 million in the athletics department during his tenure.
- Republican Congressman Michael Baumgartner publicly celebrated Jarmond’s firing, criticizing Jarmond’s role in facilitating UCLA’s move from the Pac-12 to the Big Ten and condemning transcontinental athletic conferences.
- Jarmond was instrumental in UCLA’s 2022 shift to the Big Ten, a move that contributed to the eventual collapse of the Pac-12 as most member schools left for other conferences.
- The dissolution of the Pac-12 left Oregon State and Washington State isolated in a diminished conference, causing financial and competitive challenges, which has fueled resentment from figures like Baumgartner, a Washington State alumnus.
- Tim Harris, a former Lakers executive, will serve as UCLA’s interim athletic director pro bono following Jarmond’s dismissal.
