HBO's GREENBURG: "Enough already! The networks are not coming back. Get over it."

[Al Haymon]

I was reading a very good article in SSSBJ. In fact, the whole issue was great. I was struck by a quote from Greenburg.

The context was after hearing complaints from Arum about how hard it is to grow boxing, and hearing about Schaefer's plan to try to bring boxing back on the broadcast networks:

"After 30 years, we should be given some credit for being able to launch boxing stars. I've heard it for 25 years, now. Enough already! The networks are not coming back. So get over it."

I can understand why HBO would be upset at the criticism. For over 20 years, HBO has essentially been the rich uncle for the sport.

Ross is upset that HBO gets continually criticized, despite being the main financial benefactor to the sport.

Do YOU appreciate what HBO has done for boxing?

[IMDAZED]

I was reading a very good article in SSSBJ. In fact, the whole issue was great. I was struck by a quote from Greenburg.

The context was after hearing complaints from Arum about how hard it is to grow boxing, and hearing about Schaefer's plan to try to bring boxing back on the broadcast networks:

"After 30 years, we should be given some credit for being able to launch boxing stars. I've heard it for 25 years, now. Enough already! The networks are not coming back. So get over it."

I can understand why HBO would be upset at the criticism. For over 20 years, HBO has essentially been the rich uncle for the sport.

Ross is upset that HBO gets continually criticized, despite being the main financial benefactor to the sport.

Do YOU appreciate what HBO has done for boxing?

HBO, yes. Ross Greenburg? Ehh...so-so.

[Al Haymon]

HBO, yes. Ross Greenburg? Ehh...so-so.

Well, Rossy has approved the budgets.

Jay Larkin was smarter with money. But HBO did grow the stars. If you think about the biggest stars of the past 20 years, where did they come up?

[Ch@mpBox@PR]

I agree that HBO has help boxing this past decades, but Im pretty boxing can get on the regular networks again!

[jrosales13]

I love HBO. And, wasn't Dibella running HBO boxing at one point? I think he did a great job. Ross Greenburg IMO he is not doing a good job. IMO he is messing up HBO boxing.

But, he is right that boxing will never go back to the networks. The reason is the boxers that could get the ratings will demand too much that networks won't pay... And, there no more real promoters out there who are willing to go to their pockets... All this promoters now expect a sanctioning fee from the networks to pay the fighters. Bob Arum is the last real promoter left...

[jrosales13]

Well, Rossy has approved the budgets.

Jay Larkin was smarter with money. But HBO did grow the stars. If you think about the biggest stars of the past 20 years, where did they come up?

But, Greenburg has not been the main HBO boxing guy in the last 20yrs. So why should he get credit for that?

[Ryn0]

If it weren't for HBO boxing most boxing wouldnt get televised in America I assume?

[RazorBlade]

Greenburg must feel threatened by the possibility that a Ward Super Six semifinal and final might end up on CBS and brings in a great rating for its timeslot, especially as an afternoon live bout from Europe.

[Check]

The landscape of boxing can change and if it went back to its roots it could come back to the networks. If HBO dropped boxing fighters couldn't get the same paydays and in return it would be cheaper for networks to pick up fights. IMO, HBO does more hurt to the sport than help. I long for the day premium stations like HBO and SHO drop boxing.

[Al Haymon]

But, Greenburg has not been the main HBO boxing guy in the last 20yrs. So why should he get credit for that?

Sure he has. He has been the President for , what , ten years? And before that he has a very senior position also.

He has either been the man, or the man-behind-the-man for about 25 years.