UFC’s Parent Company’s CEO Makes a Huge Statement a Year Before Renewal of Billion-Dollar Worth Deal With ESPN

The UFC fans are ready to tune into any channel where they can see the fights live. The world’s biggest MMA promotion has signed a contract with ESPN after parting ways with Fox Sports in 2018. Ever since the deal of $300 million per year, ESPN has had sole rights to the UFC’s PPV events. The contract between the two parties will last until 2025, and Endeavor CEO Ari Emanuel is fully satisfied with the company.

However, Emanuel also points out the demand each PPV fight has, and they already have a number of potential buyers. Endeavor, as the parent company of UFC, is definitely keeping an eye on the broad horizons that are open for them.

Ari Emanuel on the potential buyers

Ari Emanuel was talking at the Morgan Stanley Technology, Media, and Telecom Conference about the broadcasting rights of his organization. As reported by MMA fighting, during the conversation, Emanuel stated, “We have a great relationship with ESPN, love our relationship with them, and we have a year left until we can start our renewal.”

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Soon afterward, the CEO pointed out how the deal between the UFC and ESPN has benefited both parties. He further detailed, “I think it’s going to be a positive outcome for both parties, but there’s a lot of buyers out there. If you just look at sports rights, Formula 1 in the United States when I think from $5 million to $95 million [per year]. Hockey, I think was [$240 million per season], you saw what the NFL did.”

The Endeavor CEO pointed out how the National Football League achieved a massive deal worth more than $100 billion in 2021.

The huge demand for broadcasting rights

The Endeavor CEO also remarked that he is least concerned about finding a home for the organization as they already have a wide range of options. Once the 2025 deal with ESPN comes to an end, the company will have great opportunities, as many streaming platforms are already hunting for sports. At the moment, the streaming services of Amazon and Apple have established their deals with the NFL and the MLS. Apart from these two, the NBA is having heated negotiations to sign a new contract for broadcasting rights, as their current contract will end in 2025.

Ari Emanuel also mentioned that the promotion’s deal with the cable company has helped in the tremendous growth of ESPN+ and ESPN. Dana White‘s Contender Series has also been successful in achieving huge profits for both parties. At the moment, ESPN also has broadcasting rights over TUF, where UFC superstar Conor McGregor will make his comeback as a coach.

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