The UFC has began to subject affords 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 attainable streaming companions may start making affords to acquire half or all the upcoming broadcast rights deal. The UFC is reportedly in search of someplace round $1 billion per yr beneath 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 effectively.
“We’re in discussions at the moment with numerous third events concerning the UFC’s rights,” Shapiro stated throughout a quarterly TKO monetary name Thursday. “I might time period the conversations as considerate and strategic. Nothing to announce at the moment and ESPN continues to be closely included within the combine.
“I believe we’ve been fairly vocal about how nice a companion they’ve been and the way instrumental they’ve been to our development and success. I nonetheless consider they’re among the finest advertising machines within the enterprise, not to mention the model and all the joy 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 they usually’re positively a part of the equation however as I stated in the intervening time, 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 all the normal channels at present obtainable on cable and satellite tv for pc akin to ESPN, ESPN2 and ESPNews together with future plans for ESPN+, its present 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 take a look at the marketplace for potential affords from different networks or streaming companies.
No selections have been made, however Shapiro doubled down on the corporate’s flexibility in terms of the UFC’s future broadcast rights deal with reference to pay-per-views, Combat Night time occasions and different programming obtainable 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 govt administration group that’s as nimble and as tight as we’re. As we wish 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. We’ve to proceed to stability 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 sturdy. Our content material is yr spherical. It’s younger males. Unbelievable numbers beneath 18. Imagine it or not, our highschool numbers are off the charts. We’re tied with the NBA for the largest draw in terms of beneath 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 take care of ESPN in Could 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. “It is a unstable economic system proper now. A variety of uncertainty on the market. We additionally perceive there aren’t a number of main sports activities rights hitting the market any time quickly so we will likely be opportunistic however on the identical time accountable in terms of the precise dwelling for the expansion of our model.”
