February 22, 2023

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In addition to being called “the worst basketball game ever played,” Sunday’s NBA All-Star Game delivered an airball [[link removed]] when it came to TV ratings. The contest drew only 4.6 million viewers — down 27% from last year — easily making it the least-viewed edition in its history.

Media Pac-12 Reportedly Eyes Streaming Deal With Apple TV+ [[link removed]]

Chris Pietsch / USA TODAY NETWORK

Deep in negotiations for a new media rights deal that would begin in 2024, the Pac-12 continues to struggle after losing its two top brands, USC and UCLA.

The conference could reportedly [[link removed]] be considering a deal with Apple TV+ for football and potentially other sports. The next step in the process would be for commissioner George Kliavkoff to present the idea to Pac-12 university presidents.

Just last week, CBS and Warner Bros. Discovery reportedly [[link removed]] bowed out of negotiations. ESPN, Fox, and NBC are technically still in the running, but they’re likely to be much less desperate given their deals with the other conferences.

Even Amazon, the Pac-12’s other major option, is now playing “hardball” with negotiations, as Front Office Sports reported [[link removed]] on Friday.

The Pac-12 is the only Power 5 conference without a clear media rights future — meaning its ultimate fate looks precarious.

The SEC has a 10-year, $3 billion deal with Disney commencing in 2024. The Big Ten inked [[link removed]] a mid-$7 billion deal with CBS, NBC, and Fox over the summer — the biggest media rights package in college sports history. The Big 12 re-upped [[link removed]] with Fox and ESPN for $2.28 billion. Even the ACC, labeled just this past summer as the conference being left in the dust, has more stability, thanks to a modest deal with ESPN through 2036.

The conference did, however, issue a statement [[link removed]] last week presenting a united front, saying negotiation conversations were “positive” and that a new deal would be announced “in the very near future.”

Coming Friday: As the Pac-12 claws for a major media rights deal, its future becomes more uncertain. In an original FOS report later this week, our very own Amanda Christovich will break down how the once-mighty conference became the odd man out in the Power 5. Make sure you’re tapped in. [[link removed]]

Leagues LIV Suffers Legal Setback While Its Star Splits With Adidas [[link removed]]

Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports

LIV Golf was dealt a second setback in less than a week in its antitrust case against the PGA Tour.

Judge Beth Labson Freeman cleared [[link removed]] the way for the PGA Tour to add Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund and its governor, Yasir Al-Rumayyan, as counterclaim defendants, according to an order filed in U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California on Tuesday night.

One of LIV Golf’s main arguments — that allowing the PGA Tour to amend its counterclaim would threaten [[link removed]] the January 2024 trial — took a hit last week via a decision by another federal judge in San Jose.

On Thursday night, Magistrate Judge Susan van Keulen ruled [[link removed]] that PIF and Al-Rumayyan are subject to discovery even without being part of the PGA Tour’s counterclaim.

The next hearing in the case is scheduled for Friday.

Elsewhere in LIV

Additionally, one of LIV Golf’s captains is splitting ways with his longtime sponsor.

Dustin Johnson and Adidas have agreed [[link removed]] to an “amicable separation,” as the former world No. 1 is focusing on building the brand of 4Aces GC, per ESPN [[link removed]].

Johnson, who won LIV’s inaugural Individual and team Championships with 4Aces last season, wants to acquire sponsors to put on his team’s shirts — and he’ll need a blank slate to do it.

“A major part of starting a team is establishing a brand identity and building that brand,” a source close to Johnson told ESPN. “He’s grateful to Adidas for letting him out of the deal.”

LIV Golf’s second season begins Friday at the El Camaleón Golf Course in Mayakoba, Mexico.

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Teams Ares Management to Offer Funding for Man United Takeover [[link removed]]

MUFC

Another U.S. asset manager is throwing its name in the hat for Manchester United.

Ares Management, which has $352 billion in assets [[link removed]] under management, has reportedly offered funding to at least one bidder for the Premier League club — who turned it down “because the terms were unattractive,” according [[link removed]] to Reuters.

In September, Ares raised [[link removed]] $3.7 billion of dedicated funding for sports leagues, sports teams, sport-related franchises, and media and entertainment companies. But it’s unclear if that fund — which has invested in Atletico Madrid and Inter Miami — would finance the Manchester United bids.

Elliott Management previously indicated it would consider financing a bid but has no plans to make its own offer. It isn’t currently aligned with an investor.

Oaktree Capital has also reportedly offered financing.

Only two bids are currently public. Qatari Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani confirmed [[link removed]] his bid for a full takeover without debt. British billionaire Jim Ratcliffe’s INEOS has also acknowledged a bid.

Ongoing Criticism

Bidders have reportedly [[link removed]] been instructed to stop criticizing the Glazers — the club’s current owners — in their efforts to acquire the team.

Forbes last valued the club at $4.6 billion, but the sale is expected to fetch the biggest price tag ever for a sports team.

Conversation Starters For the first time in school history, Colorado sold [[link removed]] tickets to its spring football game — and has already set a potential attendance record before kickoff on April 22. Los Angeles Dodgers All-Star Mookie Betts is putting his luxury property [[link removed]] with nine bedrooms and 10 bathrooms on the market for $10 million. Nike and Icebox gifted [[link removed]] Ja Morant a customer box and diamond pendant to celebrate his signature Ja 1 sneakers.

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What to Watch

The Chicago Blackhawks (19-32-5) face the Dallas Stars (30-15-12) on Wednesday at American Airlines Center.

How to Watch: 9:30 ET on TNT

Betting Odds: Stars -1.5 || ML -435 || O/U 6

Win A Vegas VIP Hoops Package

We have teamed up with the Pac-12 Conference to provide a VIP experience [[link removed]] to the Pac-12 Men’s Basketball Tournament in Las Vegas from March 8 to March 11, 2023.

One lucky winner will receive two (2) all tournament passes with club access to the tournament at T-Mobile Arena. The winner will also receive a hotel room at an MGM Resorts property for four (4) nights in Las Vegas, a $300 food and beverage voucher valid at MGM restaurants, and two (2) tickets to Cirque du Soleil’s Mad Apple show. For more information on the Pac-12 Men’s Basketball Tournament, visit Pac-12.com [[link removed]]. Deadline for entry is February 22, 2023. See Official Rules [[link removed]] for details.

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