Pete Thamel divulges new Pac-12 media contract involves 'primary streaming deal' with Apple

The Pac-12 media rights saga could be nearing an end as commissioner George Kliavkoff presented a potential deal to presidents and athletic directors Tuesday, ESPN’s Pete Thamel reported. While no vote took place, Thamel said a deal with Apple was floated during the meeting.

Thamel joined Matt Barrie on SportsCenter Tuesday afternoon to provide the latest update on the media rights deal, notably that Apple came up as a potential media partner. The company’s interest has been previously reported, and Thamel said that could suggest streaming as a critical part of the Pac-12’s agreement.

As for whether the money could be there, Thamel said it might be less than other conferences initially. However, there might be opportunities to increase payouts as the deal goes along. That said, the situation might not be ending as quickly as some expected.

"The [Apple] deal is a primary streaming deal…the money, although initially may be below where the Big 12 is expected to start…there's potential through subscriptions via Apple TV to go past that Big 12 number." – Pete Thamel pic.twitter.com/tCby263NNK

— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) August 1, 2023

“I don’t think there’s going to be a linear finish to this. I do think it’s going to drag out a little longer,” Thamel said. “So I don’t think anyone’s either exiting or banding together. But the good news for George Kliavkoff is after a year of a protracted deal and missteps, he brought to the table today a potential deal with Apple. Sources told ESPN that the deal is a primary streaming deal, which could give school some pause as a linear aspect was always going to be a critical piece of the deal going forward. But with the Apple deal, they would align themselves with a prominent streaming partner and the money, although initially may be below where the Big 12 is expected to start in their deal 2025 — $31.7 million — there’s potential through subscriptions via Apple TV to go past that Big 12 number.

“Again, we’re still in the hypothetical stage. There’s a lot of conversation. I think people have to digest things back on campus, so I don’t expect anything imminent tonight. But at least finally, a deal has been presented and there’s some clarity of what it could look like going forward for the Pac-12.”

What to expect from Arizona’s Board of Trustees meeting Tuesday night

The biggest question mark about the Pac-12 media rights deal is how Colorado’s departure impacts the value. The Buffaloes announced their plans to return to the Big 12 last week, and all indications are commissioner Brett Yormark isn’t done adding just yet. Arizona is one of the next dominoes that could fall, as On3’s Eric Prisbell has reported, and the university’s board of regents has a meeting Tuesday night.

The meeting was announced Monday, raising eyebrows considering the timing of the Pac-12’s meeting. Thamel pumped the brakes a bit, though, saying he doesn’t expect a decision on leaving the conference to come Tuesday evening. He used Colorado as an example since CU’s board had multiple meetings before making a call. Remember, the Arizona board also controls Arizona State and Northern Arizona.

“I’d be shocked, after talking to sources, if there’s some kind of vote or takeaway or a move out of the league that happened tonight,” Thamel said. “If there’s one thing about collegiate officials, especially at the presidential level and the board level, they love to meet. Colorado had three or four of those meetings before they ultimately had the one where they decided to vote to leave the league. But huge decisions facing both Arizona and Arizona State. They have a little bit of a clarity now of what the financial future could look like in the Pac-12 and also, what the exposure could look like in the Pac-12. So I think they’re going to drill down and have a discussion.

“It’s a preference of that board, Matt, for Arizona and Arizona State to stay together, as any board would want with their two flagship schools in the state. So I don’t expect any fireworks tonight, but we could finally be approaching the conclusion of the Pac-12 television saga.”