UFC, Disney, ESPN finalize TV and streaming deal
Dana White: “UFC has always done deals with the right partners at the right time, and this one is no exception.”
FOX currently pays UFC about $165 million a year to be the home of the world’s dominant MMA league. That deal expires at the end of this year; the UFC is currently negotiating with multiple sources including FOX for the next broadcasting contract. Approximately one show a month also airs exclusively on UFC Fight Pass, the UFC digital streaming service; early prelims air on Fight Pass as well.
Now the UFC has announced an agreement with the direct-to-consumer ESPN+ platform to exclusively carry 15 shows live per year, with a contracted twelve fights on each. It begins in June of 2019. Much of the content previously aired on Fight Pass. In addition to the 15 shows, which will be branded UFC on ESPN+ Fight Night, the deal includes:
•Dana White’s Tuesday Night Contender Series.
•Pre-shows and post-shows for the 15 shows.
•Broadcasts in English and Spanish.
•Access to the UFC library of past shows.
•A new all-access series.
•Countdown shows, press cons, weigh-ins.
•Ability to buy PPVs.
In other words, it’s UFC Fight Pass. ESPN+, which launched on April 12, currently costs $4.99 per month or $49.99 per year, and currently offers 250 MLS games, 31 PGA Tour events, 1000s of live college events, and more including a coming deal for most of ESPN’s live boxing content. Sports Business Daily reports that the deal is worth $150 million per year. And UFC Fight Pass is not going away; it will continue to air exclusive content including exclusive events.
I couldn’t be more excited to partner with The Walt Disney Company and ESPN on an agreement that will continue to grow our sport, said UFC President Dana White in a statement. UFC has always done deals with the right partners at the right time, and this one is no exception. We will now have the ability to deliver fights to our young fan base wherever they are and whenever they want it.
This is not the major broadcast deal for some low dozens of events, which remains in negotiation. Further, this deal does not mean ESPN is the front-runner for the content that currently airs on FOX. And this does not replace the PPV model.
$100 million+ here and $100+ there, and pretty soon, you’re talking real money. The $4 billion that then WME-IMG now Endeavor paid for the UFC now looks rational.