Pac-12’s Future in Jeopardy as TV Deal talks drag on

There hasn’t been a lot of good news for the Pac-12 in recent months. With UCLA and USC heading to the Big Ten, and the Pac-12’s TV deal with FOX and ESPN expiring in 2024, the conference is struggling to get a new deal in place.

The Pac-12 has been talking with many different partners, including Amazon and Apple. Now, CBS Sports is reporting that the Pac-12 is unlikely to find a broadcast partner that can air more than 50% of its games on linear television.

The conference is looking to get around $31.6 million per school in a new deal, which is what the Big 12 got in its most recent media rights deal. And with the Big 12 and Big Ten having recently negotiated new deals early, there’s not a lot of capital left for the Pac-12.

The Pac-12 losing two of its biggest draws, is a big reason for this

The Pac-12, which consists of 12 schools for now, is one of the smaller Power 5 conferences out there. And after 2024, it’ll be even smaller. As the Pac-12 is losing two of its biggest draws in UCLA and USC. Which are basketball and football powerhouses, respectively. They’d also lose that Los Angeles market, almost entirely.

That’s making it tougher for the Pac-12 to get a media rights deal in place. Without UCLA and USC, who do they have. Oregon? Washington? Arizona? Sure, but those aren’t as big of a draw as USC and UCLA. Meanwhile, the Big Ten has Michigan, Ohio State, Penn State, and now they’ll have USC and UCLA. Giving them even more of the biggest games in college football and basketball.

There is talk about the Pac-12 having to lean on The CW and ION for getting 50% of their games on linear television. The CW wouldn’t be too bad, since they do have legacy television stations across the country, and is available on most streaming TV services. But that would be an odd place for sports.

What will likely happen is, the Pac-12 will strike a deal with Amazon Prime Video or Apple TV+. Both of which already stream sports – Apple more than Amazon. Apple TV+ has the MLS Season Pass now, and also broadcasts Friday Night Baseball in the summer for the MLB. Adding in the Pac-12 could be a huge get for them. But they are unlikely to pay the Pac-12 what they want.