Comments Thread For: Showtime's Espinoza Says Piracy Is Depressing PPV Buys By At Least 30-40%

[SimpleTouchee]

Stack your cards like the UFC does. No one wants to shell out 80-100 just for one fight. The main event for even co mains nowadays is some shh that is prelim.co main events to me is Thurman vs Ugas on Spence vs Bud, or Morrell jr vs Benavidez as co main on a Canelo card. It's gives views to the next in line, hypes up future fights makes you willing to pay 80 for a card with more than 1 fight. The Saudi tournament will be worth it til then a lot ain't.

The problem is promoters are too cheap, example both guys making 15 million and network gives Bob 50 million, someone like Bob Arum is spending 100,000 on the undercards and taking home 20 million dollars.

[El_Mero]

If ppvs had 2 to 3 great fights per card, id easily pay 100$. But 99% of the time it doesnt happen. So guess what, I ****** tf out of ppvs

[BoxingParadigm]

They need to get rid of unrealistic guarantees and just split the revenue of what the fight produces. Price it right, to maximize buys, and not to meet a ridiculous guarantee.

[MusoMeanderings]

No. Look at the first post by me. I want to see all the fights as I'm a fan. I can't afford to be spending $200/300 on 2/3 ppvs a month. I have a life elsewhere too - such as eating out, trips, vacations, movies, gigs. Espinoza is so wrapped up in boxing he can't see the big picture.

Correct. You are the one who is willing to spend on PPVs, just not a lot.

But there are many people who won't spend nothing because they are broke or on principle.

There is a big gap between willing to spend $5 instead of $0 and spending $10 instead of $5.

I wouldn't say that Espinoza is divorced frome reality, simply because he sees all the numbers and we don't, but yeah, rich people are somewhat distant from gen pop.

[arraamis]

What an assuming viewpoint - Who's to say that those watching fights via alternative means would actually shell out the coin to watch on PPV. I know I wouldn't because every fight isn't PPV worthy, contrary to what the networks believe.

I guess GREED eventually makes everyone an asshat.

[Monty Fisto]

It's a very difficult decision. Spend 1 minute looking for a crystal clear ****** on the Internet for free or pay $80 plus for the product that can be gotten for free.

Overall they have 2 problems. 1: Generally not making fights that people want to see, which they take zero responsibility for. 2: Not being able to shut down the ******s. Both of which are the networks fault. It's their job to make the fights people want to see and to shut down the ******s.

Anyone that looks at the quality of PPV's over the last 3 years can see why the numbers are down or low. Many of these PPV main event's weren't worth anyone's time, much less their time and money; Canelo vs Ryder, Canelo vs GGG 3, Tank vs Luis Garcia, Tank vs Rolly, Crawford vs Avanesyan, Crawford vs Porter, Wilder vs Helenius, Broner vs Hutchinson, Thurman vs Barrios, Ortiz vs Martin.

Why is it their responsibility to shut down the ******s?

An illegal ****** is no different to stealing. You are stealing the product. I agree it's overpriced, but the choice is pay, don't watch or steal.

Saying it's their responsibility to shut down the ****** is like saying it's somone's responsibility to put bars on their windows to stop being burglarised.

That all said, it would be nice if they could trace the ******s, identify who watches them, then throw the original thief in jail and fine everyone who stole twice the cost of the PPV. That would be put a stop to it and provide a nice earner for the boxers who are putting their health on the line while a portion of the public think they should be able to steal away part of their livelihood from them.

[MusoMeanderings]

That all said, it would be nice if they could trace the ******s, identify who watches them, then throw the original thief in jail and fine everyone who stole twice the cost of the PPV. That would be put a stop to it and provide a nice earner for the boxers who are putting their health on the line while a portion of the public think they should be able to steal away part of their livelihood from them.

Is that even technically possible? Like, putting a watermark on the video and then identifying the one who provided it for a rebroadcasting?

[paulf]

Who would buy the garbage that's put on PPV these days?

You get 3 fights, 4 if you're lucky. The first three are showcase fights, with the favorite usually jabbing or hugging their way to victory over some nobody or shot former gatekeeper. And half the time the main event is a showcase as well, with Vegas having someone as a massive favorite.

Why would ANYONE pay for that?

The UFC card this weekend has FIVE COMPETITIVE fights in the main card four more COMPETITIVE fights in the prelims, and even a couple good ones in the free early prelims.

UFC doesn't have a problem selling PPVs. Wonder why that is?

[MusoMeanderings]

UFC doesn't have a problem selling PPVs. Wonder why that is?

This sport is young compared to boxing. Fighters are willing to take risks, and even that starts to change. Look at how Jones waited for Ngannou to skip before unretiring.

[Sosay]

And who's fault is that. I used to routinely throw fight parties but the cards have gotten worse and worse. Fighters don't fight the best so I ****** them for free unless it's a great main event and an actual under card worth something. Put out a proper PPV and quit charging for BS Matches and it wouldn't be so high with piracy. I'll pay for Bud vs Spence but that under card isn't nothing special either so Im still debating.

Make a nice full card or at least the best vs best if you want people to pay.

Fights I'd pay for at each weight: All with maybe means under card has to be good!
200+
Fury vs Usyk
Usyk vs Wilder maybe
200
None
175
Bivol vs Beterbiev maybe
168
Nelo vs Benavidez or Morrell
Benavidez vs Morrell maybe
160
None
154
None
147
Bud vs Spence or either vs Ennis or Ortiz
Ennis vs Ortiz maybe
Ennis or Ortiz vs Benn maybe
140
None
135
Tank vs Shakur
130
None
126
None
122
Monsta vs Fulton
Below
None

Yet, we get multiple ppvs per year with horrible under cards. Those promoters protecting their fighters is the sole reason why PPV buys for boxing are down.