A new streaming company enters the Pac-12 media rights foray. Plus; an update on Bally Sports and their impending bankruptcy; Apple TV+’s Friday Night Baseball booths have been announced.
Apple said to be in the mix for Pac-12 rights
According to New York Post columnist Andrew Marchand, Apple is making a surprising late run at the Pac-12 media rights. The news comes as the Pac-12 sees its market dwindle. A mid-February Brett McMurphy report indicated that CBS & Turner have both withdrawn from the race. With the Big 10, Big 12, SEC, and ACC all signing, or already in, long term deals, the Pac-12 is the last major conference left without a TV partner contracted past 2024. For Apple, this would mark a continued march into live sports rights with Friday Night Baseball and their new MLS deal starting this year. According to Marchand, a Pac-12 deal with Apple would look similar to their agreement with MLS, with all games being streamed on Apple TV+. (Marchand 2.21)
Bally Sports update
After missing their February 15 interest payment, the NBA, NHL, and MLB have been determining their next steps with Diamond Sports, parent company of Bally Sports. The NBA, in a show of support, was found to have renewed their streaming deal for local digital rights with Diamond Sports in June 2022. The deal expires after the 2024-25 season, just like their ESPN and Turner agreement, creating the potential for a package deal for the league’s next round of negotiations. The move stands in contrast to MLB’s approach however, who have formed a “economic reform committee” according to a report from The Athletic. MLB commissioner Rob Manfred is also on the record as saying “We got to find a new model.” During Diamond Sports’ 30-day grace period, they are hoping to create a plan that gets the NBA, MLB, and NHL on board. While it is in all the leagues best interest that the restructuring is successful – Diamond Sports still owes teams their contracted rights fees – it is also clear that the leagues are preparing for a worst case scenario. (Ourand 2.20)
Apple TV+ MLB broadcasting changes
In mid-February, it was announced that Stephen Nelson, Katie Nolan, and Melanie Newman would not return for a second season of Apple TV+’s Friday Night Baseball. Instead, Apple would be moving to a more traditional two-man booth with brand new broadcasters. An Andrew Marchand report confirmed that there would be two pairings: Wayne Randazzo and Dontrelle Willis, and Alex Faust and Ryan Spilborghs. Of the four, only Faust, the Los Angeles Kings play-by-play announcer since 2017, is not a current regular MLB broadcaster or radio voice, although he has done select games for Fox Sports and NESN in the past. (Marchand 2.20)
