Matchroom learns from DAZN trip to Kansas

[IMDAZED]

Rios was on the card. Ortiz and Rios never lived or fought in Wichita and are not a drawn in Kansas just because they up grew there. They're 100% California fighters.

Promoters tell themselves a lie along the lines of "boxing is only in Vegas, LA, and NYC.... it needs to be everywhere like the UFC" in order to rationalize accepting easy money from a casino and putting a fight on the middle of nowhere. This was an example of Hearn falling victim to that. Kansas Star Casino is half an hour outside Wichita, but may as well be an hour+.... there's nothing out there and no one goes out there except those who want to gamble.

If Hearn was serious about his wanting to make boxing more like it is in England, he would have put it dead in the middle of a city and made the tickets affordable.... instead he took short money to put it in a casino just like Lou Dibella does, which is ironic because he loves to criticize Lou's shortcomings as a promoter.

Excellent post.

[KTFOKING]

You make plenty of sense in your comment. What I meant by its for the benefit of American fans is that when this project succeed, it will save the fans a whole lots of money and give room for other interested fans that high ppv price restrict them from watching their favorite fighters will key in into the monthly subscription stuff.

Over time, boxing will be great again in America.

Here is the thing, the monthly fees at DAZN are likely to only increase as they obtain rights to other sports league. Boxing is going to be expensive for the hardcore fan regardless of DAZN succeeding or not. I mean unless they sign damn near every single big fighter or majority of them like the UFC, you will continue seeing multiple networks airing boxing. And to watch fights, it will cost you something, unless I guess it is on network TV.

The PPVs over the next year or so will be very interesting to observe. We have seen with the UFC that they have negotiated a deal where the distributors take only 30% of the PPV revenue and that is a complete game changer. So lesser buys on some shows doesn't really hurt the company as they make up for it by getting 70% of the revenue instead of 50%. Time will tell if Haymon and others in boxing are able to negotiate a similar deal. I believe Dibella alluded to this on the Mannix podcast a few weeks ago. If that is the case, then PPVs are going nowhere.

I also don't think every Canelo fight will just be on DAZN without the added PPV price. DLH said if he was to fight Mayweather, then it would be PPV. Hearn said he doesn't think DAZN is interested in that. So there are some fundamental differences there between the two parties. Are we sure Canelo/GGG will just be the monthly fee of $9.99? DAZN won't add to that price point?

Espinoza brought up a good point in that DAZN is able to invest so much in boxing right now since they need immediate programming and the rights to other leagues are not available at the moment. But what happens when they get some NFL or NBA rights? Does DAZN invest the same money into boxing as they are now? Do they keep the $9.99 monthly fee? Not sure about that. So I think it is kind of ignorant to think DAZN will "save boxing in America" or save boxing fans a lot of money. We follow a niche sport and pay a pretty penny to do so.

[filup79]

You make plenty of sense in your comment. What I meant by its for the benefit of American fans is that when this project succeed, it will save the fans a whole lots of money and give room for other interested fans that high ppv price restrict them from watching their favorite fighters will key in into the monthly subscription stuff.

Over time, boxing will be great again in America.

I would rather pay for a big PPV fight that I want to see instead of paying $10 dollars a month for crap fights that I have no interest in. I subscribed to DAZN in Sept. cancelled right away. All Eddies cards have been garbage the last 2 months. The WBSS cards are a lil better but nothing to keep me glued to the fight. That's $20 for 2 months of weak boxing cards and nothing more. I pay $8.99 for Showtime, but I get to watch other content that I like at anytime I want. PPV prices don't restrict fans from watching a PPV fight, whether they pay for it or not, fans watch them, whether it be at a bar, stream or house party. Nobody is jumping to see any of DAZN cards regardless of the $9.99 price tag.

[Laligalaliga]

Here is the thing, the monthly fees at DAZN are likely to only increase as they obtain rights to other sports league. Boxing is going to be expensive for the hardcore fan regardless of DAZN succeeding or not. I mean unless they sign damn near every single big fighter or majority of them like the UFC, you will continue seeing multiple networks airing boxing. And to watch fights, it will cost you something, unless I guess it is on network TV.

The PPVs over the next year or so will be very interesting to observe. We have seen with the UFC that they have negotiated a deal where the distributors take only 30% of the PPV revenue and that is a complete game changer. So lesser buys on some shows doesn't really hurt the company as they make up for it by getting 70% of the revenue instead of 50%. Time will tell if Haymon and others in boxing are able to negotiate a similar deal. I believe Dibella alluded to this on the Mannix podcast a few weeks ago. If that is the case, then PPVs are going nowhere.

I also don't think every Canelo fight will just be on DAZN without the added PPV price. DLH said if he was to fight Mayweather, then it would be PPV. Hearn said he doesn't think DAZN is interested in that. So there are some fundamental differences there between the two parties. Are we sure Canelo/GGG will just be the monthly fee of $9.99? DAZN won't add to that price point?

Espinoza brought up a good point in that DAZN is able to invest so much in boxing right now since they need immediate programming and the rights to other leagues are not available at the moment. But what happens when they get some NFL or NBA rights? Does DAZN invest the same money into boxing as they are now? Do they keep the $9.99 monthly fee? Not sure about that. So I think it is kind of ignorant to think DAZN will "save boxing in America" or save boxing fans a lot of money. We follow a niche sport and pay a pretty penny to do so.

Yeah... I understand your position and it's very insightful and viewing things from a different perspective.
Personally, my best bet on American boxing to attract more fans in turn translate to more money is to reduce the gates and ppv prices. Believe you me, stadium fights will be happening in the US.

[Laligalaliga]

I would rather pay for a big PPV fight that I want to see instead of paying $10 dollars a month for crap fights that I have no interest in. I subscribed to DAZN in Sept. cancelled right away. All Eddies cards have been garbage the last 2 months. The WBSS cards are a lil better but nothing to keep me glued to the fight. That's $20 for 2 months of weak boxing cards and nothing more. I pay $8.99 for Showtime, but I get to watch other content that I like at anytime I want. PPV prices don't restrict fans from watching a PPV fight, whether they pay for it or not, fans watch them, whether it be at a bar, stream or house party. Nobody is jumping to see any of DAZN cards regardless of the $9.99 price tag.

What you fail to put into consideration is that dazn is a new project. You can start judging the progress and impact after a year or two to see how far they have gone.

[filup79]

Here is the thing, the monthly fees at DAZN are likely to only increase as they obtain rights to other sports league. Boxing is going to be expensive for the hardcore fan regardless of DAZN succeeding or not. I mean unless they sign damn near every single big fighter or majority of them like the UFC, you will continue seeing multiple networks airing boxing. And to watch fights, it will cost you something, unless I guess it is on network TV.

The PPVs over the next year or so will be very interesting to observe. We have seen with the UFC that they have negotiated a deal where the distributors take only 30% of the PPV revenue and that is a complete game changer. So lesser buys on some shows doesn't really hurt the company as they make up for it by getting 70% of the revenue instead of 50%. Time will tell if Haymon and others in boxing are able to negotiate a similar deal. I believe Dibella alluded to this on the Mannix podcast a few weeks ago. If that is the case, then PPVs are going nowhere.

I also don't think every Canelo fight will just be on DAZN without the added PPV price. DLH said if he was to fight Mayweather, then it would be PPV. Hearn said he doesn't think DAZN is interested in that. So there are some fundamental differences there between the two parties. Are we sure Canelo/GGG will just be the monthly fee of $9.99? DAZN won't add to that price point?

Espinoza brought up a good point in that DAZN is able to invest so much in boxing right now since they need immediate programming and the rights to other leagues are not available at the moment. But what happens when they get some NFL or NBA rights? Does DAZN invest the same money into boxing as they are now? Do they keep the $9.99 monthly fee? Not sure about that. So I think it is kind of ignorant to think DAZN will "save boxing in America" or save boxing fans a lot of money. We follow a niche sport and pay a pretty penny to do so.

DAZN content in the US is garbage. Whether they get rights to other sports is highly doubtful. They might get a game thrown at them the way the NFL does with Thursday Night Football on Amazon Prime buts thats about it. They agreed on a deal with MLB, but they're paying MLB to only show live highlights of games, similar to what Baseball Tonight and MLB LIve do. DAZN isn't showing full MLB games. DAZN could get rights to show them outside of the US, like DAZN Canada has the NFL Game Pass, which DAZN charges $20 instead of $10

[KTFOKING]

I would rather pay for a big PPV fight that I want to see instead of paying $10 dollars a month for crap fights that I have no interest in. I subscribed to DAZN in Sept. cancelled right away. All Eddies cards have been garbage the last 2 months. The WBSS cards are a lil better but nothing to keep me glued to the fight. That's $20 for 2 months of weak boxing cards and nothing more. I pay $8.99 for Showtime, but I get to watch other content that I like at anytime I want. PPV prices don't restrict fans from watching a PPV fight, whether they pay for it or not, fans watch them, whether it be at a bar, stream or house party. Nobody is jumping to see any of DAZN cards regardless of the $9.99 price tag.

Fair take, but me personally? I'm a fan of DAZN. Sure the Matchroom USA cards haven't been all that great, but the WBSS has had some damn good fights. Then we just get Bellew/Usyk which is a nice scrap. The fact that it really only has boxing/MMA is bit of a problem as you are limited in the content you can watch. They did pick up some MLB rights where it is supposedly like the RZ channel for NFL. Not sure if you are into baseball or not, but they do have that. Their success will depend on the NFL rights and to an lesser extent, NBA rights.

And we were supposed to get Andrade/BJS which was a high quality bout. I can do without all these Miller vs Adamek or Dinu fights of course, but hey the stable for Hearn just isn't there right now.

[KTFOKING]

DAZN content in the US is garbage. Whether they get rights to other sports is highly doubtful. They might get a game thrown at them the way the NFL does with Thursday Night Football on Amazon Prime buts thats about it. They agreed on a deal with MLB, but they're paying MLB to only show live highlights of games, similar to what Baseball Tonight and MLB LIve do. DAZN isn't showing full MLB games. DAZN could get rights to show them outside of the US, like DAZN Canada has the NFL Game Pass, which DAZN charges $20 instead of $10

Correct, the content right now is certainly an issue. See my prior post where I address all that.

In terms of baseball, not sure if folks are interested in seeing the entire game anyways. I'm just not a fan and particularly how slow the game is, so it doesn't matter to me. But those that like baseball may prefer what DAZN offers to them.

[IMDAZED]

What you fail to put into consideration is that dazn is a new project. You can start judging the progress and impact after a year or two to see how far they have gone.

There is no reason for him, or any potential suscriber, to put that in consideration.

No consumer is going to invest money monthly into a product that is terrible now with the hopes a year or two it will get better. They’ll just wait until the product gets better.

And it will.

But it won’t be because of Hearn. That’s what Espinoza alluded to in that podcast about how he needs to worry about his own situation. Because it’s clear DAZN is already restructuring some things. Golden Boy may become the go-to for the US at some point (sooner than later), while Hearn concentrates elsewhere.

[KTFOKING]

Yeah... I understand your position and it's very insightful and viewing things from a different perspective.
Personally, my best bet on American boxing to attract more fans in turn translate to more money is to reduce the gates and ppv prices. Believe you me, stadium fights will be happening in the US.

We shall see. That is where there is a big difference between the UK and USA. Networks license fees is what matters most and not the live gate. Until that changes, I doubt we will see better crowds or stadium fights. Though we will be seeing a stadium fight in Spence/Garcia. Will it do massive AJ type of numbers? Of course not, but the hope is it exceeds 30k and gets around the 40k range. That would be very good IMO. Will stadium fights become a norm though? Highly unlikely.