Though they’ve been partners for six years, it seems the relationship between the UFC and ESPN might be nearing its end. Both sides are expressing dissatisfaction and hinting at an impending split.
Since the UFC teamed up with ESPN in 2019, it seemed like a match made in sports heaven. With ESPN’s sprawling reach, the UFC enjoyed a spotlight on some of its most iconic moments in MMA history. However, recent rumblings suggest that this power couple might not be on the same page anymore.
Insiders reveal that both the UFC and ESPN aren’t thrilled with how things have been going recently. The UFC, for its part, has raised some eyebrows over how ESPN has been handling coverage.
The tension took a public turn when technical glitches disrupted UFC 313, a key event for the company, especially since one of their biggest draws was headlining. Naturally, this didn’t sit well with the promotion.
On the other side of the octagon, ESPN has its grievances too. The network expected more from pay-per-view sales and feels the returns haven’t met their original expectations. The dwindling PPV numbers, notorious for their ‘PPV points’ system, are causing unrest, with the value to fighters now being called into question.
Interestingly, the UFC’s deal with ESPN is slated to end later this year. The buzz is that renewal isn’t on the table, with the UFC reportedly eager to find new broadcasting digs.
Netflix is coming up as a strong contender for the UFC’s next home. The streaming giant, already making waves in live sports with ventures into the NFL, WWE, and boxing, appears poised to possibly bring the UFC under its streaming umbrella.
According to a tweet by Erich Richter, discussions with potential new partners like Netflix and Amazon could kick off as soon as mid-April, provided the UFC goes its separate way from ESPN. It seems there’s much more to unfold in this saga, so stay tuned.
