The Ultimate Fighting Championship's deal with ESPN expires in the next two years.
The UFC and ESPN began their partnership back in 2019 in a deal that was believed to be worth $300 million per year. Now, the current deal between the two companies expires in the next two years and owner Ari Emanuel has said that there is still a year left before talks of renewal can begin.
Emanuel was at the Morgan Stanley Technology, Media, and Telecom Conference and hinted that the MMA company and ESPN can reach a favourable ground when talks of potential renewal do begin while acknowledging the positive relationship between the two. That being said, Emanuel also revealed that there is a host of interested buyers for the UFC TV rights.
“We have a great relationship with ESPN, love our relationship with them, and we have a year left until we can start our renewal.
“I think it’s going to be a positive outcome for both parties but there’s a lot of buyers out there.”
Emanuel, who is the owner of Endeavour - the parent company of the UFC also pointed out some of the more recent deals involving TV rights. He referred to the booming of the Formula One rights in the United States which spiked from $5 million to a massive $95 million per year. The rights for Hockey have also managed to hit a massive $240 million per season.
The Endeavour CEO has also said that ESPN has become a 'great home' for the UFC, highlighting its importance in the growth of the sport. He also reckoned that the UFC has contributed to the growth of ESPN and ESPN +.
One can only assume that the TV rights for the UFC are going to be worth a lot more than $300 million per year from the next cycle onwards but it remains to be seen if ESPN manages to hit a common ground with the MMA company.
Head back to Sporticos for more Sports Stream News.
