The UFC has began to subject provides from potential companions for a brand new broadcast rights deal that kicks off in 2026, however the promotion isn’t speeding to make any bulletins.
Again in April, the UFC’s unique negotiating window with ESPN expired, which meant different networks and doable streaming companions may start making provides to acquire half or all the upcoming broadcast rights deal. The UFC is reportedly in search of someplace round $1 billion per yr below phrases of the brand new deal after inking a seven-year contract with ESPN that began in 2018.
Whereas the UFC has began speaking to different suitors, TKO President and Chief Working Officer Mark Shapiro guarantees talks are nonetheless ongoing with ESPN as properly.
“We’re in discussions presently with varied third events concerning the UFC’s rights,” Shapiro stated throughout a quarterly TKO monetary name Thursday. “I’d time period the conversations as considerate and strategic. Nothing to announce presently and ESPN remains to be closely included within the combine.
“I believe we’ve been fairly vocal about how nice a associate they’ve been and the way instrumental they’ve been to our development and success. I nonetheless consider they’re among the best advertising machines within the enterprise, not to mention the model and all the thrill round ESPN flagship and no matter it’s going to be referred to as come subsequent week. [ESPN chairman] Jimmy Pitaro and [Disney CEO] Bob Iger, each followers of UFC and personally confirmed as much as occasions. Can be thrilled to proceed with them and so they’re undoubtedly a part of the equation however as I stated in the meanwhile, simply varied conversations, varied events and no actual updates past that.”
Shapiro referenced “ESPN flagship,” which is the brand new streaming service the Disney-owned community is planning to launch quickly that features all the customary channels at the moment out there on cable and satellite tv for pc equivalent to ESPN, ESPN2 and ESPNews together with future plans for ESPN+, its current streaming service.
Whereas the UFC didn’t strike a brand new take care of ESPN throughout that unique negotiating window, it was by no means anticipated the 2 sides would come to an settlement throughout that point. It was solely after that unique interval expired that UFC can be allowed to then check the marketplace for potential provides from different networks or streaming providers.
No selections have been made, however Shapiro doubled down on the corporate’s flexibility with regards to the UFC’s future broadcast rights deal with reference to pay-per-views, Battle Night time occasions and different programming out there from the promotion.
“We stay extremely versatile,” Shapiro stated. “That’s the fantastic thing about proudly owning your individual league. That’s the fantastic thing about having an govt administration staff that’s as nimble and as tight as we’re. As we prefer to say, we’re the house owners and we’re the commissioners on the identical time. We’ll make selections which might be greatest for the long run way forward for the game and the model. Now we have to proceed to steadiness monetizing this rights deal whereas on the identical time doing what’s greatest for our attain, our engagement and the expansion of the model.
“The market, I consider, stays robust. Our content material is yr spherical. It’s younger males. Unbelievable numbers below 18. Imagine it or not, our highschool numbers are off the charts. We’re tied with the NBA for the most important draw with regards to below 18 from the main sports activities and we’re nonetheless antidote to churn and I consider a serum, a confirmed formulation that works for subscriber acquisition. So we’re cautiously optimistic.”
The UFC really struck its authentic take care of ESPN in Might 2018, however it doesn’t sound just like the promotion is racing in the direction of the end line simply but for the brand new broadcast rights deal that begins in 2026.
Talks are ongoing and that received’t decelerate till an settlement is reached.
“We’re in no rush,” Shapiro stated. “This can be a risky economic system proper now. Lots of uncertainty on the market. We additionally perceive there aren’t quite a lot of main sports activities rights hitting the market any time quickly so we can be opportunistic however on the identical time accountable with regards to the suitable dwelling for the expansion of our model.”
