UFC Angling For an ABC Deal? |
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The Axe Kick Murderer
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Career record: 159-78
Season: 51-19 (#39)
Location: who's asking?
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With EliteXC readying its blockbuster cards on CBS and Strikeforce getting some late-night love from NBC, the UFC is running out of major networks to sign with. But if the latest “informed speculation” turns out to be true, we could eventually see some Octagon fights on ABC. MMAPayout passes along this unconfirmed report:
The UFC and ESPN are discussing a potential strategic partnership. Representatives from each company reportedly met for what were described as extensive discussions last week in New York and Bristol, Connecticut. While Spike is the official cable home of the UFC, there is no longer an ABC Sports division, only ESPN on ABC, leading to speculation that such a partnership could lead to live events on ABC.
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Post #1 3/31/08 6:25:47PM
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RMFG_187
MMA Sensei
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Career record: 129-84
Season: 38-24 (#1754)
Location: Toronto, Canada
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ESPN+ABC+UFC=Dream come true!
ESPN is exactly what the UFC needs.
thought i might throw it out there, but im pretty sure ESPN is owned by the same people that own Disney. not sure tho, but if so, u kno they have the money to throw to promote, and help make UFC Globally known and enjoyed.
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Post #2 3/31/08 6:52:40PM
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mrsmiley
MMA Sensei
Career record: 151-105
Season: 31-28 (#4236)
Location:
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getting with ABC and ESPN would,I think prove to be very beneficial for the UFC.I know Dana has talked about not wanting to lose any control,and to a big degree that's very understandable.Why try to fix it if it ain't broke,right?
But on the otherhand,at some point Zuffa probably will have to give a little,if they do want to be on primetime,so I guess it's one of those gambles they just might have to take.Give a little,and possibly get a lot back.
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Post #3 3/31/08 7:12:01PM
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RMFG_187
MMA Sensei
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Career record: 129-84
Season: 38-24 (#1754)
Location: Toronto, Canada
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they will have a prime time slot, probably on a Saturday, with a BIG card. Maybe Ultimate Fighter Finale? They will want a Big name fighting, probably Rampage, GSP, Chuck, Forrest.
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Post #4 3/31/08 7:16:14PM
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bls1919
MMA Sensei
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Career record: 155-90
Season: 48-19 (#352)
Location: Clarendon, PENNSYLVANNIA
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A move to join with ABC or ESPN would be great. it would provide a much needed lift towards the mainstream
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Post #5 3/31/08 7:43:15PM
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imanidiot777
Standup Guy
Career record: 95-67
Season: 43-27 (#1251)
Location: Pennsylvania, USA
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Posted by RMFG_187
ESPN+ABC+UFC=Dream come true!
ESPN is exactly what the UFC needs.
thought i might throw it out there, but im pretty sure ESPN is owned by the same people that own Disney. not sure tho, but if so, u kno they have the money to throw to promote, and help make UFC Globally known and enjoyed.
ABC owns Disney and ESPN, my dad used to work for them.
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Post #6 3/31/08 7:51:38PM
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slappywhite
MMA Regular
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Career record: 147-87
Season: 41-29 (#2153)
Location:
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Posted by imanidiot777
ABC owns Disney and ESPN, my dad used to work for them.
disney owns ABC, and my dad didn't even work for them
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Post #7 3/31/08 8:07:43PM
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Ordep
Belt Contender
Career record: 152-91
Season: 44-26 (#1031)
Location: Athens, GA
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Posted by RMFG_187
ESPN+ABC+UFC=Dream come true!
ESPN is exactly what the UFC needs.
thought i might throw it out there, but im pretty sure ESPN is owned by the same people that own Disney. not sure tho, but if so, u kno they have the money to throw to promote, and help make UFC Globally known and enjoyed.
correction: ESPN is exactly what MMA needs, regardless the organization, if multiple orgs (e.g. EXC,WEC,UFC) can sign w/ the main sports network that would be great.
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Post #8 3/31/08 8:10:14PM
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skatenate
MMA Regular
Career record: 114-66
Season: 25-15 (#4562)
Location:
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ESPN+UFC=WORLD DOMINATION! 
lol
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Post #9 3/31/08 8:50:59PM
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Keeping the pimp hand strong
Career record: 181-78
Season: 47-23 (#525)
Location: Oklahoma
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Well cant say I'm shocked I knew something like this was likely to happen soon. I thought it would either be Fox or ABC looks like ABC is stepping up. I wouldn't be shocked to hear something on this within next month.
You have to wonder if the deal does happen what will ESPN do about their deal with Sherdog. I get a feeling if this does happen the this will truly make the UFC the face of MMA to the sports world.
Last edited 4/1/08 4:31AM by telnights
Edit note/reason: n/a
3 total post edits
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Post #10 3/31/08 8:57:50PM
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prozacnation1978
MMA Sensei
Career record: 174-77
Season: 49-21 (#254)
Location: san diego
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the ufc should sign something, i hope the extra revenue will go toward's fighters pay and not dana'a pocket
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Post #11 3/31/08 10:28:30PM
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mutosufan
Learning to Sprawl
Career record: 33-26
Season: 0-0 (#-)
Location: Miami
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UFC on ESPN would silence and go above the EliteXC on CBS deal. ESPN is the face of sports on cable television. And when you are catering to the 18-35 year old male geographics, ESPN is the place to be.
This would be huge.
ESPN question for you guys:
When Rampage fought Chuck for the LHW belt, ESPN showed the weigh-ins. I thought they said they were going to show more of the weigh-ins and highlites of UFC events. Why havn't they? Why did they only do that one?
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Post #12 4/1/08 8:09:35AM
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orechia
Learning to Sprawl
Career record: 16-16
Season: 0-0 (#-)
Location:
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White needs to do something. White will screw it up though. His greed will cost him in the long run. His guys arent payed nearly enough and its only a matter of time that catches up to the UFC. You cant take in 80-90% of the PPV profits and only pay out 10-20%. Some will get mad at me for saying this but its the truth. A major boxing star will soon get into MMA as a promoter and start giving 50/50 revenue splits on his cards, then the UFC and all the rest are done! here's what i mean about the money Split>
Mir got $40 K to show up and a $40 K win bonus agianst Lesnar. Thats $80 grand. He also has a UFC Endoresment deal paying him about 80-90 grand a year. lets say Mir fights 3 Times this year. Makes the $80 grand a fight that he got for his lesnar Fight.
Thats 240 G's and then add in his endoresment deal of 90 grand. He makes roughly $330,000 Grand a year saying he fights 3 times and wins all 3 of his fights.
Here's where the problem comes in.
UFC 81 did about 650,000 PPV Buys
Judah vs Mayweather did 350,00 PPV Buys
Mir who was on the main event VS Lesnar made $80 grand as the 2'nd fiddle guy on the card.
Judah on the other hand made a little over 2 Million. Playing 2'nd fiddle to mayweather. And not only that the Judah mayweather Fight did just over 1/2 the PPV buys UFC 81 did?. What did Mayweather make 10 Million.
Now you see my point.
How the hell is mir only making 80 grand as the main even when the damn thing did 650,000 PPV buys probbaly making it worth 22-24 Million or so.
Its only a matter of time...Gary Shaw has already started it at Elite XC. Boxing people are going to come in and take over the UFC by paying the fighters a shit load more then Dana gives them. And by teh nubmers I just showed you...do yuo think any of teh MMA fighters will complain when teh go from making 80 grand a fight to 1-2 million a fight!
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Post #13 4/1/08 1:07:23PM
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RMFG_187
MMA Sensei
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Career record: 129-84
Season: 38-24 (#1754)
Location: Toronto, Canada
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Posted by orechia
White needs to do something. White will screw it up though. His greed will cost him in the long run. His guys arent payed nearly enough and its only a matter of time that catches up to the UFC. You cant take in 80-90% of the PPV profits and only pay out 10-20%. Some will get mad at me for saying this but its the truth. A major boxing star will soon get into MMA as a promoter and start giving 50/50 revenue splits on his cards, then the UFC and all the rest are done! here's what i mean about the money Split>
Mir got $40 K to show up and a $40 K win bonus agianst Lesnar. Thats $80 grand. He also has a UFC Endoresment deal paying him about 80-90 grand a year. lets say Mir fights 3 Times this year. Makes the $80 grand a fight that he got for his lesnar Fight.
Thats 240 G's and then add in his endoresment deal of 90 grand. He makes roughly $330,000 Grand a year saying he fights 3 times and wins all 3 of his fights.
Here's where the problem comes in.
UFC 81 did about 650,000 PPV Buys
Judah vs Mayweather did 350,00 PPV Buys
Mir who was on the main event VS Lesnar made $80 grand as the 2'nd fiddle guy on the card.
Judah on the other hand made a little over 2 Million. Playing 2'nd fiddle to mayweather. And not only that the Judah mayweather Fight did just over 1/2 the PPV buys UFC 81 did?. What did Mayweather make 10 Million.
Now you see my point.
How the hell is mir only making 80 grand as the main even when the damn thing did 650,000 PPV buys probbaly making it worth 22-24 Million or so.
Its only a matter of time...Gary Shaw has already started it at Elite XC. Boxing people are going to come in and take over the UFC by paying the fighters a shit load more then Dana gives them. And by teh nubmers I just showed you...do yuo think any of teh MMA fighters will complain when teh go from making 80 grand a fight to 1-2 million a fight!
Boxing PPV are either 59.99 SD or 64.99 HD, plus most promos are sponsored up the YING YANG! not only that but HBO also plays apart in boxing. and The $$$ it cost to be Ring Side at a Mayweather match is like 10x more than it would be for Ringside at lets say Chuck vs Wandy. and also with that, ESPN pays money so that they can show the fight FOR FREE 1-2 weeks later. And ill bet that Boxing Promo's pay less to have the Venue like for example MGM Grand. UFC would have to pay more because they are still new compared to boxing. unless people get there heads outta there asses, Boxing will alwayz make more.
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Post #14 4/1/08 5:47:20PM
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casey64
MMA Sensei
Career record: 155-93
Season: 44-25 (#2004)
Location: Football Field
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Post #15 4/1/08 6:20:37PM
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