Coker suggests the name Spikeforce
“How about Spikeforce?” suggested Bealltor CEO Scott Coker when Bloody Elbow’s John S. Nash asked him about a possible name change for the organization.
The awesome John S. Nash scored an exclusive interview with new Bellator CEO Scott Coker for a wide ranging discussion of where he plans to take the company.
John S. Nash: So SPIKE is fully committed to Bellator. There are always rumors floating around that they might give up on them.
Scott Coker: They are all in buddy. All in. And then some. That was something we had a really big conversation about and what helped convince me to come over.
JSN: Coming in what were the things you felt you had to change? Did you have a list of priorities?
SC: The first thing we had to change was the tournament format. Which we did. The second thing is we have to go and recruit the top talent and cultivate the talent we have here now. And the third thing was the staff running 10 shows in a row. Talk about a burnout. We had to reprogram it. “Look this is going to become a once a month show and we are going to have time to promote it and we are really going to have time to do it right.” This is a much different mindset than doing it every week. Because right now these guys were on the road for like 10 weeks straight. It’s like crazy.
JSN: Have you thought about changing the name since not many people seem to know what “Bellator” means?
SC: How about “Spikeforce”?
JSN: You read my mind.
SC: There’s been some dialogue about if they are going to rebrand or not. But I think that hasn’t been decided and as far as I know it’s going to be Bellator. They’ve done this 6 or 7 years and build up a following and people seem to be OK with it.
JSN: You’ve talked in the past you’re open to co-promoting. Is there a chance we can see you working with Glory or any other MMA promotions?
SC: Yes. I think the door is open for everything. We’ve already been in touch with One FC. We have been talking to Matt Hume. We are going to talk to KSW. We are going to talk to Bamma. Co-promotion is also working with Jesse Finney or Duke Rufus or other local promotions. They know where all the talent is in their local market.
JSN: How about a show using the old JMMA rules? In a ring where you can fight in a gi or wearing wrestling shoes?
SC: That has some commission issues. We’d have to get a commission that would approve that. But I loved the old Japan shows where they come out in their traditional outfits and represent their style. If we can do it I think we’ll do it.
Read entire interview… (it is wicked worth it 🙂