Image Via: Sports Illustrated
The Pac-12 was only able to negotiate an agreement with Apple after months of discussions for a new media arrangement. Members of the conference, however, believed the deal was insufficiently attractive, resulting in the league's continued mass exodus.
Image Via: Alika Jenner/Getty Images
For Apple, the partnership was a first in the world of college sports. The Pac-12 provided the corporation with an opportunity to launch its dream in the world of collegiate athletics. The Internet behemoth has aspirations of upending the live sports broadcasting market.
Despite having previously failed to secure deals with the Pac-12 and the NFL Sunday Ticket, it appears that Apple has higher aspirations. The digital behemoth is apparently considering buying ESPN in an effort to control live sports broadcasts, according to industry insiders.
Image Via: Getty Images
ESPN is unquestionably a dominating participant in the worldwide live sports broadcast industry. The network is widely regarded as a premier sports media network, with significant coverage of a wide range of sporting events, live broadcasts, analysis, and original content.
Image Via: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
Apple's successful acquisition of the network will be a game changer. Integrating ESPN's content and skills might allow Apple to improve its content offerings, reach a larger audience, provide comprehensive sports coverage, and remain available across many devices.
Image Via: The Wall Street Journal
The acquisition of ESPN would give Apple an advantage in the very competitive live sports broadcasting market, where there are a lot of major participants. The tech corporation can now disrupt the current landscape much more quickly and easily.
Image Via: Twitter @Front Office Sports
Apple's connected ecosystem, which consists of hardware, software, and services, has been crucial to the company's expansion. ESPN's acquisition significantly contributes to the ecosystem's strengthening, offering users greater incentives to stick around.
The Pac-12's place in the college athletics landscape is still up in the air. Right now, an expansion move is the conference's last chance for survival. However, not all of the league's four remaining teams are on board with the concept.
Image Via: The Athletic
According to reports, Apple is still interested in the conference's media rights, which helps the expansion plan. Obviously, the acquisition of ESPN could increase the Pac-12's allure. Notably, teams are cautious of the scope of Apple TV+ in college sports, but ESPN successfully allays that worry, guaranteeing the possibility of a partnership.
Image Via: CBS Sports
The Pac-12's expansion strategy is centered on the Mountain West Conference, whose teams must pay a tantalizing $34 million to leave. However, a suitable broadcast contract from the Pac-12 might make the risk worthwhile for the MWC clubs in the long term.
Image Via: Sports Illustrated