The Pac-12’s current television contract is due to expire at the end of this academic year, creating a window of opportunity for Apple to negotiate a new agreement. Preliminary indications suggest that Apple’s streaming proposal is the “likely frontrunner”, although a formal deal has not been finalized.
Should the proposed deal come to fruition, it would initially be a short-term contract. The arrangement would mirror the structure of Apple’s partnership with Major League Soccer (MLS), involving Apple offering a standalone subscription in exchange for gaining exclusive streaming rights.
As per the sources, the first year of the prospective contract with Apple would be 2024-25, with the agreement initially falling short of the league’s expectations. However, the deal is slated to progressively improve over time, potentially enabling the Pac-12 to compete with its counterparts in the Big 12 and ACC, provided that certain subscription targets are achieved.
The Pac-12 conference comprises several well-known universities, including the University of Arizona, Arizona State University, UC Berkeley, University of Oregon, Stanford University, Oregon State University, University of Utah, University of Washington, and Washington State University, among other affiliate members. The switch from traditional broadcasting to streaming, however, has raised concerns among Pac-12 members about a potential drop in viewership.
For a streaming deal with the Pac-12 to be viable, it would need to meet the financial expectations of the universities involved while also ensuring adequate exposure.
With the Big 12 Conference having signed deals with ESPN and Fox, resulting in each team earning an average of $31.7 million annually, Apple’s offer would need to be competitive to secure the deal.
