The Pac-12 has not finalized a media rights deal. (What? You thought the Pac-12 would move swiftly and get a deal done?) We’re still in a wait-and-see position. Meetings have been held. More meetings have been scheduled. It’s still just talk, not action. Skepticism is warranted until George Kliavkoff lands the plane and keeps the conference together … and alive.
We’re not offering any predictions. That is and has been a fool’s errand in the Pac-12 media space and in the world of realignment. Two weeks ago, it did not seem that Colorado was going to leave for the Big 12. Two weeks ago, it did not seem that the realignment chessboard was about to spit out several new movements and reshape the industry once again.
Everything changed quickly. That’s how this goes. Predictions are for fools.
However, we can note that ESPN’s Pete Thamel has reported that a potential deal involving Apple was presented to the Pac-12 presidents on Tuesday. The Pac-12 was always rumored to be pursuing a digital media rights deal, a streaming package to accompany a linear TV arrangement. This appears to be that attempt. No word has emerged if Amazon has also been part of serious, advanced talks about a Pac-12 deal.
Stay tuned:
On ESPN just now, @PeteThamel reported that today commissioner George Kliavkoff presented a “potential deal with Apple” to Pac-12 presidents.
— Mike Vorel (@mikevorel) August 1, 2023
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