The UFC has began to discipline 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 might start making provides to acquire half or the entire upcoming broadcast rights deal. The UFC is reportedly in search of someplace round $1 billion per 12 months underneath 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 nicely.
“We’re in discussions presently with numerous 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 accomplice they’ve been and the way instrumental they’ve been to our development and success. I nonetheless consider they’re among the finest advertising and marketing machines within the enterprise, not to mention the model and all the thrill round ESPN flagship and no matter it’s going to be known 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 interim, simply numerous conversations, numerous 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 the entire commonplace channels at present accessible on cable and satellite tv for pc corresponding to ESPN, ESPN2 and ESPNews together with future plans for ESPN+, its present streaming service.
Whereas the UFC didn’t strike a brand new cope with 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 could 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 accessible from the promotion.
“We stay extremely versatile,” Shapiro stated. “That’s the great thing about proudly owning your personal league. That’s the great thing about having an government administration group that’s as nimble and as tight as we’re. As we prefer to say, we’re the homeowners and we’re the commissioners on the similar time. We’ll make selections which are greatest for the long run way forward for the game and the model. We have now to proceed to stability monetizing this rights deal whereas on the similar time doing what’s greatest for our attain, our engagement and the expansion of the model.
“The market, I consider, stays sturdy. Our content material is 12 months spherical. It’s younger males. Unbelievable numbers underneath 18. Consider it or not, our highschool numbers are off the charts. We’re tied with the NBA for the most important draw with regards to underneath 18 from the key sports activities and we’re nonetheless antidote to churn and I consider a serum, a confirmed system that works for subscriber acquisition. So we’re cautiously optimistic.”
The UFC really struck its unique cope with ESPN in Could 2018, however it doesn’t sound just like the promotion is racing in 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 unstable economic system proper now. A number of uncertainty on the market. We additionally perceive there aren’t plenty of main sports activities rights hitting the market any time quickly so we can be opportunistic however on the similar time accountable with regards to the best house for the expansion of our model.”
