Report: Apple reengages in Big Ten media rights following UCLA, USC additions

Media rights and partnerships now reign supreme over the Wild West that is college athletics in 2022. With the news breaking Thursday evening that UCLA and USC have been accepted into the Big Ten conference – that only solidifies that point further.

Now, Apple – a familiar player in the sports television rights business – has reemerged as a hopeful contender to land a media rights deal with the Big Ten, according to a report from the Sports Business Journal.

It would be interesting to see if Apple were able to land themselves a deal with the conference, as Fox Sports carries the majority of the conferences games. Other major media entities already carry the rights to display most of the other major conference’s games – so where does that leave the smaller, budding streaming outlets?

“Fox Sports already had reached a deal to carry at least half of the conference’s package, and CBS was viewed as a front-runner to take at least a package of Saturday football games in the 3:30pm ET window,” the report read. “That left Amazon, ESPN and NBC competing for a third package. As late as this morning, Apple and Warner Bros. Discovery were not viewed as credible bidders. That could all change.”

UCLA chancellor, athletic director release statement on Bruins joining Big Ten

UCLA director of athletics Martin Jarmond and chancellor Gene D. Block have released a statement in the wake of the Bruins and longtime rival USC moving to Big Ten from the Pac-12.

“UCLA has deeply valued our membership in the Pac-12 for many years, and we intend to be a member of the conference for the next two years,” the statement read. “We have grown close to the other member schools and have tremendous respect for their commitment to the student-athlete experience. 

“The Pac-12 has always shared our values and continues to innovate, working hard on behalf of its student-athletes and many fans. At the same time, each school faces its own unique challenges and circumstances, and we believe this is the best move for UCLA at this time. For us, this move offers greater certainty in rapidly changing times and ensures that we remain a leader in college athletics for generations to come.”