Comments Thread For: Stevenson Will Take 50-50 on Kovalev, Networks To Bid

[HeroBando]

If you think Kovalev actually has an exclusive contract with HBO & HBO couldn't have told Duva to go **** herself with that French cat fight idk what to tell you. It would be horrible business for HBO not to have an opt out option for contracted fighters. Showtime actually uses there opt out option it would appear is the difference.

Right, they let Stevenson opt out twice in a row. Gtfo, come back with another excuse.

[Scipio2009]

Again man, Canadian star fighter get only a fraction of their money from the network. The rest is dictated by the matchups. Lemieux last purse bid was like 100k, and he made well over 1m. Kovalev and Pascal split 6m, doubt HBO pitched in more than 2m. Stevenson would have done far better financially fighting Kovalev back then than this string of no hopers.

Based on what exactly? People seem to consistently ignore the point that Showtime paid GYM double for Stevenson-Fonfara than what HBO was ready to pay for Stevenson-Fonfara.

Why would that change for any other proposed fight? I doubt that HBO even put $2m towards Kovalev-Pascal but what is there to bar Showtime from beating the bid?

Showtime seems to value Stevenson far more than HBO ever did, committing to him in a manner that he asked for. Showtime should be given an opportunity to bid on the biggest fight that their fighter will ever be put in, too.

[HeroBando]

This whole thing is really as simple as this. Everyone seems to be onboard with making the fight & the only issue is the money the guys will be splitting. If they can't agree with that lets purse bid & the fight happens. HBO pulling this is just some petty I'm taking my ball & going home **** & a hinderance to the sport.

Why not just make that fight on HBO? It's the best money available to Stevenson, the best exposure. Look at the steep drop in ratings and attendance since he left HBO.

But hey, Stevenson manages not to make quality fights somehow even when networks don't get in the way.

[HeroBando]

Based on what exactly? People seem to consistently ignore the point that Showtime paid GYM double for Stevenson-Fonfara than what HBO was ready to pay for Stevenson-Fonfara.

Why would that change for any other proposed fight? I doubt that HBO even put $2m towards Kovalev-Pascal but what is there to bar Showtime from beating the bid?

Showtime seems to value Stevenson far more than HBO ever did, committing to him in a manner that he asked for. Showtime should be given an opportunity to bid on the biggest fight that their fighter will ever be put in, too.

Show me a link for the bolded.

If they value him so much, how come he's on Spike TV next? TBH I don't blame them, his Showtime numbers were just pathetic.

[saintpat]

Haymon is playing with pretty much unlimited money, for now. It's like bidding against that Russian that won the Wlad Povetkin bid. At the same time they didnt sign Kovalev to showcase him in mediocre fights, and let him go elsewhere for the most desirable one. So it's just not gonna happen. But there's nothing preventing Stevenson from fighting him on HBO for a career high purse. Other than him wanting to milk his title some more.

So basically take what HBO offers. If they say it's worth $500,000, then that's it?

HBO doesn't want to pay fair market value.

Here's the deal: they know they can get a decent rating with Kova fighting this nobody or that one and paying out peanuts relative to what it costs to make the bigger fights -- like a unification.

Duva and Kova got screwed by HBO if they didn't insist on a contract that obligated HBO to back bids for the biggest fights and allow them to fight elsewhere if HBO passed on paying what it takes to win those bids.

LOL at Haymon's "unlimited funds" -- HBO is owned by Time-Warner ... a few extra million doesn't even get noticed on their bottom line. They just don't want to spend it or risk losing ... sort of like "ducking" only it's HBO ducking PBC.

Let the market set the price and let the fighters fight for the full value. You talk about Stevenson bypassing a big payday, but Kova is getting screwed too if HBO won't pay what the fight is worth or let him fight elsewhere for what he's worth.

[Scipio2009]

They cant, there's that pesky exclusive contract. So financially the best viable option for both is to fight each other on HBO

Why is there this assumption that Stevenson has no ties to Showtime to be considered, formal or otherwise?

Stevenson's last three fights have been broadcast by Showtime/CBS (Stevenson-Karpency is seemingly headed to primetime on Sp1keTV, but I think everyone at Showtime/CBS has been made okay with that move for this fight).

The bulk of the fight's revenue is going to come on Canadian PPV, and the only outlets affiliated that match that term (broadcasts on terrestrial TV can't then be sold in Canada on PPV apparently) are Showtime, ESPN, and Sp1keTV.

Best value for Stevenson is to go wherever the most money can be made, giving Showtime the opportunity to compete for the fight to preserve that relationship.

no need to try and re-imagine the facts.

[Scipio2009]

Pretty sure Michel was saying earlier that Stevenson is a free agent network wise. Hell even now they're saying theyd do HBO if they win the bid. Good effort, but you'll need to try harder next time

.... in the direct translation for Michel's memo in terms of possibly negotiating Kovalev-Beterbiev, he makes explicit mention of the situation for Stevenson being different for Beterbiev because of the consideration that he has to make to Showtime/CBS. gtfoh.

[Scipio2009]

stevenson will make more fighting on hbo then fighting on spike tv against karpency but hurt feelings trump money. not to mention haymon's monopoly dreams.

Based on what exactly?

Sp1keTV is a cable channel, so GYM will be able to sell the fight on PPV in Canada in addition (pay from PBC to headline fights isn't all that bad either).

HBO was talking about having Stevenson and Kovalev split $3m for the fight. gtfoh

[Scipio2009]

Haymon is playing with pretty much unlimited money, for now. It's like bidding against that Russian that won the Wlad Povetkin bid. At the same time they didnt sign Kovalev to showcase him in mediocre fights, and let him go elsewhere for the most desirable one. So it's just not gonna happen. But there's nothing preventing Stevenson from fighting him on HBO for a career high purse. Other than him wanting to milk his title some more.

If they don't have the money or are unwilling to put up the money for the most desirable fights, why should HBO get those fights by default?

To here you tell it, HBO could offer $1m for the fight, and Main Events would have to accept the bid and talk up making the rest of the money elsewhere, lol.

With HBO deemed as the only worthy bidder, what is stopping them from lowballing everyone?

[SkillspayBills]

It amazes me how some people are trying to find a way to make this seem unreasonable. Trying to get BOTH fighters the most money seems like the logical thing to do.