Pac-12 Net's distribution and revenue are approximately one-third of peer networks in the Big Ten and SECGETTY IMAGES
Every move Pac-12 Networks President Mark Shuken does concerning the outlet is being done with the '23-24 academic year in mind, as that is when the conference's contracts with ESPN and Fox "expire, and the next Tier One media deal takes center stage," according to Jon Wilner of the San Jose MERCURY NEWS. Pac-12 Commissioner Larry Scott has "bet his legacy and campus budgets on signing a blockbuster deal, and the prospects for success will depend, in part, on the valuation of the Pac-12 Networks at the time by potential bidders." Shuken, who took his current post in September, said, "We have an obligation to be prepared for the next rights agreement." Shuken gave "no indication of plans to sell an equity stake" in the channel. The Pac-12 Nets' brand is "not exactly pristine at this point; demand for the context appears less than feverish." However, Shuken said that the Pac-12 Nets' deals are "longer than industry standard." He "declined to specify the year of expiration but hinted that the deals are in the 10-year range, meaning they won't come up for negotiations" until '22 or so. Wilner notes the Pac-12 Net's distribution (approximately 20 million homes) and revenue (approximately $2.5M per campus last year) are "approximately one-third of their peer networks in the Big Ten and SEC, with no signs of significant upturn in either area." The channels have been "roundly criticized" for their costs (producing 850 live events across one national and six regional networks) and for the "lack of carriage on DirecTV," among other issues (San Jose MERCURY NEWS, 3/21).
