As one deal ends, a thousand options beckon, to choose or not to choose. Whether to stay with what's already been stated or to gamble on something new. ESPN's contract with UFC ends in 2025 following the dissolution of its deal with Fox Sports after seven years.
Originally, FOX Sports was to broadcast four live UFC events a year in prime time for an average of $100 million. But one with ESPN bought a combined deal of $300 million broadcasting 42 live events per year in 2019.
Let's see a possibility where UFC can land up after its deal expires with ESPN.
Combined deal with WWE
With recent partnership between Endeavor and WWE of $9.3 billion have brought new opportunities and questions into the scene. Having both WWE and UFC under one roof and different broadcasting partners presents a whole new scenario.
The deals gives 51% to Endeavor which changes the man to hold the final approvals. With questions of combined streaming deal Nick Khan , CEO of WWE said,
"The good folks at NBCU have been tremendous partners to us. So let's see what they have to say."
WWE's linear TV rights deal with NBC Universal and Fox Corp expires in 2026, and considering the UFC and ESPN partnership expiring in 2025, there is a great deal of opportunity either to collide or to have separate broadcast partners as it has been. .
Nick added,
"The most important thing is that NBC and Fox, from a WWE point of view, feel respected in the process,"
"So we're going to enter those conversations with them."
"We're going to see what that looks like and hopefully it's robust, and we don't get out of the "right of first window," and "we strike a deal with each of them."
The reference is to an agreement that gives NBCU and Fox the right of first refusal to re-up their deals with WWE.
"If we're not able to do that, we'll see what the marketplace has to say and ultimately choose the right partner for the WWE audience in our shareholders."
The Splinter Deal
The UFC deal has also been interpreted as suggesting multiple networks splintering based on opinions of a collision. Whether it was with FOX or ESPN, the UFC has been faithful to a single broadcast partner for the past 12 years.
According to Endeavor president Mark Shapiro,
“We have been very happy being with one platform [at ESPN], which is [owned by] the Walt Disney Company.” “They’ve been incredible to UFC and we’ve been incredible to them. When they need something, Dana White makes it happen in two seconds, and when we need something, they work with us across the globe, now that they obviously now have more of an international footprint given the FOX acquisition than any other partner we’ve ever been involved with. So it’s a great story."
“But your goal is to maximize price, let’s be clear about that. In any renegotiation that Nick Khan is doing in WWE, his goal is to maximize price. Our goal with UFC is to maximize price.”
Ever after bond with ESPN
ESPN has been home to UFC since the deal began in 2019 and in contrast to $100 million, $300 million was a significant jump and had been fruitful for both parties after Fox Sports' deal expired.
In light of the improvements in coverage and viewership, an extension to this deal would be a safer and more subtle option for the UFC. A move to step away from this place would further look like a bad marketing strategy.
Homecoming to Fox Sports
UFC moved on to ESPN for broadcasting rights with the time changing, but back in 2011, the $100 million deal was one of the largest ever.
It is possible that UFC could consider this option in light of the deal between WWE and Fox Sports in 2019, which consists of $205 million dollars annually, a great deal for both parties.
Prime or Apple TV+
Streaming platforms are constantly evolving, so it is important to look at all your options.
With Prime Video Announcing its New Multi-Year Agreement With ONE Championship For Exclusive Live Coverage Of Martial Arts Events in The US And Canada and a deal $250 million deal between Apple and MLS Season Pass opens doors that we never saw coming .
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