Fox signs WWE and the UFC now knows the feeling of having a Money in the Bank briefcase cashed in on them. This was supposed to the UFC’s big moment and the WWE just clubbed them over the head with a steel chair and took their spot in line.
When Zuffa sold the UFC to WME-IMG, a big sticking point were the MMA promo’s chances of landing a huge TV contract when their deal with Fox expired. Today (May 21) Fox opened their war chest and signed the WWE to a five year deal worth a reported $205 million per year for the rights to air the company’s weekly two hour SmackDown Live show.
BREAKING: WWE’s SmackDown Live is coming to Fox, after network agreed in principle to a “massive deal.” https://t.co/h4C7lf9JHT
— Darren Rovell (@darrenrovell) May 21, 2018
So many asking why Fox would potentially take WWE over UFC. It’s scripted! Yeah, that’s exactly why it’s so appealing. It’s more of a sure thing.
— Darren Rovell (@darrenrovell) May 21, 2018
For perspective Fox paid $120 million per year to broadcast the UFC back in 2011 and last week ESPN inked the UFC to $150 million per a year deal for 15 events airing on ESPN+ in January 2019.
So, what’s the next home for the UFC’s signature Fight Night events and 12 pay-per-view preliminary events?
With ESPN handing the UFC 750 million over the course of five years, they appear to be out of the running to invest even more into MMA.
Could NBC punt on the newly rebranded PFL and pivot over to a run at the UFC? Maybe Paramount gets tired with Bellator and jumps back in bed with the UFC? CBS Sports/Turner Sports could set their sport’s division apart by jumping into the MMA game.
Could an exclusively online company like Amazon or Netflix jump into the live sports waters and partner with the UFC?
Fox just dropped one billion dollars to get into the pro wrestling business, do they have any money left or care to remain in the MMA game? UFC on Fox cards have nosed dived in ratings and quality over recent years, maybe its time for all parties involved to get a fresh start.
