UFC Paces Itself in TV Deal Negotiations: ESPN Continues as a Key Suitor
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Looks like Dana White's Contender Series is shaking things up with potential partners planning to slide in for a new broadcasting agreement starting next year! But don't get too excited just yet, folks, they ain't rushing those announcements.
With the exclusive chatter with ESPN wrapping up back in April, other networks and streaming platforms are now stepping up, eager to throw their hat in the ring. Rumor has it, UFC's got their eyes on a cool billion per year—that's a significant jump from the 2018 deal they signed with ESPN. 💸
Now, don't think ESPN's out of the picture just yet. TKO president Mark Shapiro set the record straight: "We're chillin' with a bunch of potential partners, including ESPN. Negotiations are moving steady and levelheaded; ain't time to discuss the nitty-gritty just yet, but ESPN's definitely still a prime candidate." 🤝
So why no deals during the exclusive period? UFC intentionally took their talents to the open market to scope out all the options. Shapiro reminded us they're keeping their options wide open when it comes to PPVs, Fight Night tournaments, and other content. 🥋
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📝 Extra Info:
As we speak, the broadcasting deal for Dana White's Contender Series is tightly linked to the broader UFC media rights negotiations. The exclusive negotiation window between UFC and ESPN closed on April 15, 2025, which means the UFC can now talk terms with numerous bidders, such as potential partners like Netflix and Amazon, alongside ESPN, who's still a strong contender. 🤝
Dana White's been open to dispersing UFC programming across multiple platforms, with the possibility of keeping some presence on ESPN while checking out other possibilities. Potential partners like Netflix and Amazon are considered as potential bidders, offering a different financial model that's less ad-dependent. 💰
The deal ain't signed, sealed, and delivered just yet, and negotiations are still in progress as the UFC weighs their options to boost their media presence and those almighty dollars. 🤑💼
- Bookmakers are thoughtfully evaluating the potential new broadcasting agreement for Dana White's Contender Series, given the possibility of UFC securing a billion dollars per year.
- The UFC's upcoming announcements regarding the broadcasting deal for Dana White's Contender Series may have significant implications for mixed-martial-arts events streaming on various platforms, including Netflix and Amazon.
- UFC's negotiations with possible partners, such as ESPN, Netflix, and Amazon, are proceeding carefully, considering various offers for PPVs, Fight Night tournaments, and other content.
- As the UFC considers multiple offers from streaming platforms like Netflix and Amazon, alongside ESPN, fans can expect a wide range of exciting UFC and mixed-martial-arts content in the near future.
