SBJ reports that UFC/Fox deal could reach $400M in 2019

A lot can change in a year. UFC is losing stars left and right. I don't see them making this much money anymore. Not even close.

Why not? PBC and UFC have comparable ratings on FOX/FS1. UFC gets way too much credit around here. IF UFC REALLY gets $400MM per, PBC can get AT LEAST half that. No they don't have comparable ratings lol the difference in the revenue that PBC has generated for FOX compared to what UFC has generated aren't even in the same ballpark.

CBS also has this in the works.... https://www.engadget.com/2017/08/07/cbs-plans-streaming-sports-channel/ CBS is launching a streaming sports channel this year Most details are still under wraps, but it'll be modeled around CBSN and even piggyback on its infrastructure (to reduce costs, naturally). That suggests it'll be part of 'skinny' programming bundles through internet TV providers, although it's not certain which ones. https://techcrunch.com/2017/08/08/what-we-know-about-cbss-upcoming-streaming-service-for-sports/ What we know about CBS’s upcoming streaming service for sports “Later this year, we will roll out a 24/7 live streaming channel like CBSN for sports as part of our ongoing strategy,” said CBS CEO Les Moonves, on the company’s earnings call, adding that the service did not yet have a name. “We think sports fans are looking for something like this, and that opportunity is significant,” he noted. However, he did point out that CBS has deals with the NFL, the NCAA (through 2032, in fact), FCC football and PGA Tour Golf. But he described the project as being in the “very preliminary stages” of formation. “CBS is a big player in the sports world,” Moonves said. “We are going to look to differentiate ourselves from the ESPN and the Fox Sports as well, and we think we have a good opportunity to succeed.”

Why not? PBC and UFC have comparable ratings on FOX/FS1. UFC gets way too much credit around here. IF UFC REALLY gets $400MM per, PBC can get AT LEAST half that. Sshhh. Not possible. Besides, PBC is going out of business this year. Rick Glaser says so.

Lol great analogy. Some of these dudes are straight delusional Why not? PBC and UFC have comparable ratings on FOX/FS1. UFC gets way too much credit around here. IF UFC REALLY gets $400MM per, PBC can get AT LEAST half that.

:lol1: :lol1: @ comparing the UFC to PBC. That's like the Lacrosse League saying "Did you see the TV money in the new NFL deal? We're gonna get us some of that". Lol great analogy. Some of these dudes are straight delusional

I woudn't be surprised if it's split between multiple networks...with some live fights on one network, but some of the shoulder programming on another. SHO/CBS/CBS Sports would be interesting. CBS Sports seems to have a lot more available time than ESPN/ESPN2 or FS1 (and FS2 has not caught on in some markets), which have heavy time commitments to college football, MLB and other sports. I could see a scenario where CBS Sports becomes a big combat sports channel with the PBC/UFC, like a much-expanded version of what Spike had with Bellator and PBC. Yeah like NFL and NBA it could be a multi network package deal

I think HBO is more likely to get the UFC rights then Showtime is. But I doubt either are the favorite. I wouldn't be shocked if Amazon or some streaming platform is among the major players bidding for these rights when it comes time. I woudn't be surprised if it's split between multiple networks...with some live fights on one network, but some of the shoulder programming on another. SHO/CBS/CBS Sports would be interesting. CBS Sports seems to have a lot more available time than ESPN/ESPN2 or FS1 (and FS2 has not caught on in some markets), which have heavy time commitments to college football, MLB and other sports. I could see a scenario where CBS Sports becomes a big combat sports channel with the PBC/UFC, like a much-expanded version of what Spike had with Bellator and PBC.

Looks like Espinoza/SHO have some interest in UFC, and in MMA in general. Things got interesting between the two sides during the build up of Mayweather-McGregor, but SHO has had MMA in the past and it sounds like they're still interested in it. UFC and SHO (and CBS, CBS Sports) would be intriguing.... https://www.mmafighting.com/2017/9/8/16270368/stephen-espinoza-showtime-interested-in-ufc-broadcast-deal-when-fox-contract-is-up Stephen Espinoza: Showtime interested in UFC broadcast deal when FOX contract is up “Dana and I have disagreed on some things, but my relationships over there are strong,” Espinoza said. “I like the guys. Virtually, almost all the team that was there in Strikeforce is still over there and I like dealing with them. I like them as people, I like them as individuals and I like them as business people. It’s not to say I don’t like Dana. He and I have had disagreements, which is fine. The NFL and I have disagreements sometimes. It happens.” Espinoza said Showtime has an interest in bringing MMA back to its network, but there hasn’t been an “opportunity” in the recent past to do it. The UFC being available would change all that. “Whenever they’re free of their obligations,” Espinoza said, “there will be a conversation.”

http://www.bloodyelbow.com/2016/11/28/13764536/ufc-may-drop-in-house-production-as-part-of-new-tv-deal UFC may drop in-house production as part of new TV deal Sports Business Journal has a major feature detailing some of the things WME-IMG is believed to be looking for from its next deal. The article reveals that WME is seeking an increase from its current average of $115 miilion per year to $450 million. According to SBJ, the package will include the four annual broadcast shows FOX now airs, six annual cable events, the weekly programming now carried by FS1 and Fight Pass but will not include the UFC’s pay-per-view shows. Most interesting, SBJ reports that “could include the significant change of having the networks produce the events, sources said. The UFC now pays all production costs, so that change would increase costs for the media partner.”

$400 million a year for less than 30 events on FOX. PBC is bound to be in a great position to get license fee deals that embarrasses HBO's dwindling boxing budget of $25 million annually. There are some idiots here that keep claiming that HBO is the pinnacle of what boxing is in the US. What an embarrassing budget dedicated to the sport compare to what the UFC has in store. http://m.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Journal/Issues/2016/07/18/Leagues-and-Governing-Bodies/UFC.aspx?ana=SBJ+Email UFC was sold for 4 billion, meaning the buys probably value it at nearly double that. PBC ain't getting close to a 400 million dollar TV deal. Including FS1, UFC puts on way more events, and they also draw way more money.

$400 million a year for less than 30 events on FOX. PBC is bound to be in a great position to get license fee deals that embarrasses HBO's dwindling boxing budget of $25 million annually. There are some idiots here that keep claiming that HBO is the pinnacle of what boxing is in the US. What an embarrassing budget dedicated to the sport compare to what the UFC has in store. http://m.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Journal/Issues/2016/07/18/Leagues-and-Governing-Bodies/UFC.aspx?ana=SBJ+Email A couple points: -The UFC's deal with FOX is more than 30 events; though UFC keeps 12-13 PPV events a year for themselves, FOX/FS1 still gets the 4 UFC of FOX events, the UFC Fight Night events on FS1, 9 seasons of The Ultimate Fighter, all of the support programming on FS1, and the extra pre/post event content that's been used to fill things in. -The next UFC deal is unlikely to get up to $400m a year; it's gonna go up, but I doubt that much.

Yep. I was naive about live sports money until recently tbqh, but after looking at some other figures in other sports I think PBC is a solid bet to land a deal it's just a matter of how high the number gets. And respect to the UFC for the work they've done. And if boxing had a similar elite boxing league I tend to believe it'd command even higher numbers is the really f#cked up thing. Yep. It's insane for people to act like HBO is actually helping boxing when they lock down fighters into showcase contracts with no potential to increase their budget. It's been a downward spiral since forever. Just go away HBO Boxing... PBC is gonna anihilate that $25 million annual budget soon enough.