When reports surfaced that USC and UCLA had been in negotiations to join the Big Ten on Thursday, Apple was reportedly reinvigorated to engage in media rights involving the Big Ten, according to Sports Business Journal.
Prior to the negotiations and now approval of USC and UCLA to join the Big Ten in 2024, the Big Ten had planned to conclude its media rights negotiations in July as the league was set to surpass $1 billion in annual media rights fees.
However, with Bruins and Trojans’ approval to join the league, the negotiations could stretch to August and may not be completed until after Labor Day, per Sports Business Journal.