PROVO, Utah — In a closed-door meeting that sources say was meant to be a routine discussion on sponsorships, Apple CEO Tim Cook reportedly presented BYU with a staggering $100 million offer in exchange for a public pro-LGBT endorsement from the university’s athletic program. What followed left the room in stunned silence.
Multiple individuals familiar with the meeting claim Cook outlined a proposal that would have made BYU one of the most financially backed athletic programs in the country, with funding directed toward facilities, scholarships, and nationwide branding. The condition: a high-profile statement of support for LGBT inclusion, backed by visible representation in BYU’s sports events.
Head coach Kalani Sitake, known for his steady leadership and composed demeanor, listened carefully before delivering a single sentence in reply — one that insiders say “stopped the conversation cold.” The exact wording has not been publicly confirmed, but attendees describe it as “firm, unexpected, and final,” signaling BYU’s stance without room for negotiation.
Apple representatives have not commented on the alleged exchange, and BYU’s administration has remained silent, refusing to confirm or deny the details of the offer or Sitake’s response.
The reported meeting has ignited a firestorm on social media and sports talk shows, with supporters and critics alike weighing in on the implications for both BYU’s values and the broader intersection of sports, corporate sponsorship, and social issues.
As the story gains traction, one thing is clear: if the accounts are accurate, BYU just turned down one of the largest endorsement deals in college sports history — and did so with a single line that may echo far beyond the walls of that boardroom.
