What's Happening?
The Pac-12 conference has entered into a media rights partnership with USA Sports, a new entity formed from the spin-off of USA Network and other properties from Comcast/NBC. This deal, announced on Thursday, will see USA Sports broadcast 22 Pac-12 football
games, 50 men's basketball games, and up to 10 women's basketball games starting next year. The agreement marks the first media rights partnership for USA Sports and will run through the 2030-31 season. The Pac-12, which has undergone significant realignment, will feature nine teams by the 2026-27 season, including Boise State, Colorado State, and others. The games will also be available on The CW, CBS Sports Network, and CBS, with the men's basketball tournament championship game airing on CBS.
Why It's Important?
This deal is significant as it represents a major shift in the broadcasting landscape for college sports, particularly for the Pac-12, which has been navigating the challenges of conference realignment. By securing a partnership with USA Sports, the Pac-12 ensures that its games will be widely accessible across multiple platforms, potentially increasing viewership and revenue. This move could also influence other conferences to seek similar partnerships, thereby reshaping how college sports are consumed in the U.S. The involvement of CBS and The CW further underscores the importance of traditional broadcast networks in maintaining a strong presence in sports broadcasting.
What's Next?
As the Pac-12 prepares for the upcoming seasons with its new lineup of teams, the focus will likely be on how effectively the conference can leverage this media partnership to enhance its brand and competitiveness. Stakeholders, including university athletic departments and sponsors, will be closely monitoring the impact of this deal on audience engagement and financial returns. Additionally, other conferences may evaluate the success of this partnership as they consider their own media strategies.
