The UFC might not have a brand new broadcast rights deal in place till September, however a number of networks are undoubtedly enthusiastic about doing enterprise with the blended martial arts promotion.
UFC CEO Dana White instructed Sports activities Enterprise Journal that talks are nonetheless ongoing for the rights deal and that negotiations may conclude quickly or stretch out so far as September earlier than something is finalized.
All through the method, TKO Group Holdings executives have acknowledged the brand new UFC broadcast rights deal is likely to be break up up between a number of shops. It seems that’s changing into extra prone to occur as talks proceed.
“Every thing goes properly—we’re proud of all of the discussions we’re having,” White mentioned concerning the broadcast deal negotiations. “I don’t know—I don’t know but, however sure, it’s possible [we end up with multiple partners].”
The character of the break up is unknown though hypothesis has been that the UFC may carve out the promotion’s pay-per-view broadcasts as one potential bundle after which one other for UFC Battle Evening occasions and different programming reminiscent of Dana White’s Contender Collection and The Final Fighter. Nothing has been determined but, however quite a few shops are reportedly enthusiastic about working with the promotion.
A separate report from Puck states ESPN stays the closest to putting a deal to maintain at the least a part of the UFC’s broadcast rights deal after inking a seven-year settlement with the promotion again in 2018. The deal expires on the finish of 2025.
ESPN at the moment maintains rights over your complete UFC bundle together with pay-per-view broadcasts that air on ESPN+.
Puck reported at the least three extra main shops have an interest within the UFC rights together with Netflix, which already does enterprise with TKO by way of the WWE and now the upcoming Canelo Alvarez vs. Terence Crawford battle, with Amazon Prime and Warner Bros. Discovery additionally vying for a possible deal.
Netflix has lengthy remained one of many leaders to land at the least a part of the UFC’s broadcast deal bundle after the streamer entered into enterprise with WWE on an enormous 10-year, $5 billion deal for the rights to Monday Evening Uncooked.
The UFC is reportedly in search of round $1 billion complete per yr for the brand new broadcast rights deal. For now, negotiations proceed and it’s potential the UFC gained’t have a solution as to the place the promotion goes in 2026 till the tip of summer time.
