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 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 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 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 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 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 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.

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 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 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 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 to an “amicable separation,” as the former world No. 1 is focusing on building the brand of 4Aces GC, per ESPN.

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.

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

Ares Management, which has $352 billion in assets 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 to Reuters.

In September, Ares raised $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 his bid for a full takeover without debt. British billionaire Jim Ratcliffe’s INEOS has also acknowledged a bid.

Ongoing Criticism 

Bidders have reportedly 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.