The current Pac-12 Conference media deal runs through 2024 and over the last few months the Conference of Champions had a window with both ESPN and FOX to negotiate their next deal. Going back to the start of summer, this window was shattered before it was even opened in June with the departure of USC and UCLA to the Big Ten, a move that no one saw coming at the time.
Without these two schools from the LA Market, the possible negotiations likely took a turn for less money in the long run for the remaining schools in the conference and over the last few months, no future deal has been struck. With the exclusivity window now closed, other parties now have the option of presenting their case for the Pac-12 Conference moving forward.
ESPN and FOX are still in the running to make a future rights deal, but with the window now open to others, there will be more competition, which also includes streaming services like Apple TV and Hulu.
Despite losing the LA Market, the Pac-12 Conference has a lot to offer. With teams that compete on a yearly basis and several teams ranked in the AP poll every season, including Oregon and Utah on what seems like a yearly basis there should be a place for Pac-12 Commissioner George Kliavkoff to find a new home or two. The Pac-12 also has their own set of networks that should help add to any deal despite there not being a ton of success in the past.
Kliavkoff and company have a yearly 44-game schedule to shop around. I would love to see an option where the Pac-12 Network has more accessibility, perhaps on a streaming network. The Pac-12 Network did not get off to a good start with issues finding a place on DirectTV early on, which had a big impact on viewership.
Aside from the games, there are a lot of negotiating options including game times and the selection order of those games. The ball is in the court of the Pac-12 to find a deal that is best for their 10 remaining schools. The Pac-12 could also be looking at courting a few new schools to add to the mix to replace the Trojans and Bruins.
I believe things will move more quickly now with Kliavkoff at the helm. Fans should have a better idea before the end of the season as to the direction they can turn to watch their teams starting in 2024.
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