ESPN could do the same thing as Fox is doing if they cared about boxing

[Robbie Barrett]

In what world is having promoter titles so fighters won't fight other promoters fighters, good for boxing? These PBC nuthuggers are insane, they'll back anything.

[Bob Haymon]

Once again. ESPN is a SPORTS STATION. The #1 sports station in America. Sports 24/7. ESPN does not have to get sports fans to turn the channel. They're already there. Their main fighters should all be household names

Sports fans aren't a monolithic group. That makes about as much sense as saying PBC fighters should be household names because Empire gets millions of viewers.

[Mister Wolf]

In what world is having promoter titles so fighters won't fight other promoters fighters, good for boxing? These PBC nuthuggers are insane, they'll back anything.

We need a Shill Of The Year award so I can nominate Cobra. This dude shills so hard for PBC he has to be an employee or the sad alternative is he's insane.

[Motorcity Cobra]

Sports fans aren't a monolithic group. That makes about as much sense as saying PBC fighters should be household names because Empire gets millions of viewers.

You still don't get it. ESPN can promote to SPORTS FANS on their channel. Fox has to get sports fans to change the channel to Fox. Sports fans are already watching ESPN

[Bob Haymon]

You still don't get it. ESPN can promote to SPORTS FANS on their channel. Fox has to get sports fans to change the channel to Fox. Sports fans are already watching ESPN

People won't watch stuff because something else they watch is on the same channel. Francis Ngannou and Henry Cejudo from the UFC aren't ever going to be household names just because ESPN has much more popular sports like the NBA and NFL. The same goes for any niche sport which is on ESPN.
Fox has plenty of shows that appeal to the low income, ethnic demographic that watches PBC and they have the second largest sports channel. Why isn't Erislandy Lara selling out Yankee Stadium?

[Htown-Finest]

They could actually do it bigger. They are a sports station. All of their top fighters SHOULD be household names!

ESPN really doesn't care about boxing. They're using it to get paid subscriptions on their ESPN + app because they know combat sports fans are used to paying for content.

Care about paying your debt -$$$$$ to posters here buddy.

[Motorcity Cobra]

People won't watch stuff because something else they watch is on the same channel. Francis Ngannou and Henry Cejudo from the UFC aren't ever going to be household names just because ESPN has much more popular sports like the NBA and NFL. The same goes for any niche sport which is on ESPN.
Fox has plenty of shows that appeal to the low income, ethnic demographic that watches PBC and they have the second largest sports channel. Why isn't Erislandy Lara selling out Yankee Stadium?

No they won't watch just because. But when you're ESPN you have the sports audience that's already on your channel. YOU PROMOTE TO THEM TO MAKE THEM BOXING FANS! Sports fans are more receptive to combat sports than someone watching a sitcom.

Fox has plenty of shows that appeal to the low income, ethnic demographic that watches PBC

Such as? And what is the most common lead in for PBC boxing (*hint* it's not sports)

[Finito2K]

The same basic ass casuals hating on a certain app or network are also the same broke asses who never buy tickets to see the fights live.

FOH!

[JaBfromTokyo]

I agree with the OP.

A lot of people overseas or even in North America are still living under a rock, they don't understand what this FOX deal has brought.

FOX's deal with PBC is as follows for the next 3 years (they already have 1 year under)

Basically, every main event fight on FOX (BOTH NON PPV or PPV) gets a weekend time slot for PBC Countdown, PBC Face to Face, and they air PBC Inside Boxing once a month on the main FOX. The PPV fights actually get a 4 part PBC Countdown with cross promotional NFL, MLB and College Football perks (an entire MONTH of promo)

For FS1, it's the same thing, every main event on FS1 gets a PBC Countdown, PBC Face to Face and another episode of PBC Inside Boxing.

FS1 then replays both the FOX and FS1 shoulder programming I mentioned above non stop throughout the weeks.

There hasn't been anything like this for Boxing EVER. It's the UFC model that PBC was able to negotiate, we are just under 1 year of a 4 year deal and the ratings for Boxing have been higher in decades (at least on PBC on FOX, the main)

It would be amazing if ESPN can do half of the above, they should, I just don't think they have the deliverables in their contract.

Basically they would have to air a countdown show for every main Top Rank fight per month, along with a studio show, and a face to face show for the main event of EVERY card they put out.

They barely promote the ESPN PPVs...

I don't think ESPN has put out more than 2 training camp shows all year, FOX has already put out 20! This is how you gradually build mid-tier fighters..and the PBC on FOX ratings are reflecting this. ESPN has not put out 1 Face to Face this year..FOX has already put out 20!

Max on Boxing is great, but they need to move it to the MAIN ESPN, in order to get more traction.

ESPN also does a strange job with their Instagram and Youtube channel. They do post boxing content, especially from Max on Boxing on their youtube channel, but they conveniently leave out SportsCenter sit downs and interviews with Terence Crawford who they should be marketing like crazy........yet they posted the George Foreman interview instead? So counter productive.

It's not about FOX being better than ESPN or vice versa..it's about finding a new standard with marketing Boxing that hasn't existed before, and so far PBC on FOX has risen the bar to heights that just haven't existed at any point. This is a fact that just can NOT be denied, these programs are not imaginary, they air and are on free TV.

It's healthy, and if it means ESPN is FORCED to put out more content, than it's a win for boxing.

For the record, the PBC on FOX deal has really exposed Showtime as well...Showtime also needs to desperately pick up their marketing and promotion. They should be doing an All Access for at least 4 or 5 fights per year.

Just as I check the FOX schedule they have part 4 of Wilder vs Ortiz PBC Countdown on today, as well as PBC Inside Boxing, the studio show..all in between Football! THIS is how you introduce boxing into the mainstream, you FORCE IT.

[Motorcity Cobra]

I agree with the OP.

A lot of people overseas or even in North America are still living under a rock, they don't understand what this FOX deal has brought.

FOX's deal with PBC is as follows for the next 3 years (they already have 1 year under)

Basically, every main event fight on FOX (BOTH NON PPV or PPV) gets a weekend time slot for PBC Countdown, PBC Face to Face, and they air PBC Inside Boxing once a month on the main FOX. The PPV fights actually get a 4 part PBC Countdown with cross promotional NFL, MLB and College Football perks (an entire MONTH of promo)

For FS1, it's the same thing, every main event on FS1 gets a PBC Countdown, PBC Face to Face and another episode of PBC Inside Boxing.

FS1 then replays both the FOX and FS1 shoulder programming I mentioned above non stop throughout the weeks.

There hasn't been anything like this for Boxing EVER. It's the UFC model that PBC was able to negotiate, we are just under 1 year of a 4 year deal and the ratings for Boxing have been higher in decades (at least on PBC on FOX, the main)

It would be amazing if ESPN can do half of the above, they should, I just don't think they have the deliverables in their contract.

Basically they would have to air a countdown show for every main Top Rank fight per month, along with a studio show, and a face to face show for the main event of EVERY card they put out.

They barely promote the ESPN PPVs...

I don't think ESPN has put out more than 2 training camp shows all year, FOX has already put out 20! This is how you gradually build mid-tier fighters..and the PBC on FOX ratings are reflecting this. ESPN has not put out 1 Face to Face this year..FOX has already put out 20!

Max on Boxing is great, but they need to move it to the MAIN ESPN, in order to get more traction.

ESPN also does a strange job with their Instagram and Youtube channel. They do post boxing content, especially from Max on Boxing on their youtube channel, but they conveniently leave out SportsCenter sit downs and interviews with Terence Crawford who they should be marketing like crazy........yet they posted the George Foreman interview instead? So counter productive.

It's not about FOX being better than ESPN or vice versa..it's about finding a new standard with marketing Boxing that hasn't existed before, and so far PBC on FOX has risen the bar to heights that just haven't existed at any point. This is a fact that just can NOT be denied, these programs are not imaginary, they air and are on free TV.

It's healthy, and if it means ESPN is FORCED to put out more content, than it's a win for boxing.

For the record, the PBC on FOX deal has really exposed Showtime as well...Showtime also needs to desperately pick up their marketing and promotion. They should be doing an All Access for at least 4 or 5 fights per year.

Just as I check the FOX schedule they have part 4 of Wilder vs Ortiz PBC Countdown on today, as well as PBC Inside Boxing, the studio show..all in between Football! THIS is how you introduce boxing into the mainstream, you FORCE IT.

Green K for someone who understands what I'm talking about.