UFC's new multiyear deal to air up to four events on Fox annually “would end UFC’s seven-year relationship with Spike TV, the network that not only put the sport on the map but also very likely saved it in North America,” according to Dave Meltzer of YAHOO SPORTS. The deal reportedly includes "a number of live specials on FX, along with" the outfit's reality TV show "The Ultimate Fighter." The deal "from an exposure standpoint ... looks like a major step up" as FX ranks among the top 10 cable networks in ratings. Spike’s main audience is men, while FX "draws a more broad-based demographic.” Although financial terms of the deal have not been disclosed, UFC’s previous deal with Spike for '09-11 was "in the $35 million-per-year range.” Though ratings for UFC programming have “declined on Spike in recent years, it was believed the timing of its UFC contract couldn’t have been better” (SPORTS.YAHOO.com, 8/16). Fox Sports has a press conference scheduled for Thursday for one of its "biggest announcements." But UFC President Dana White said about the reports of a deal, “I didn’t comment when the Wall Street Journal said we bought G4, either. When you’re in these negotiations, rumors start flying. ... We’ve taken our time and built this thing slowly, just like you do with any other business, no matter what carrots were dangling out in front of us. We’re in this thing for the long haul” (CHICAGO SUN-TIMES, 8/17).
DOMINO EFFECT: MMAPAYOUT.com's Jose Mendoza wrote the UFC-Fox deal “creates a domino effect within the MMA landscape.” If UFC is "not able to negotiate keeping one of their brands on Spike TV (PRIDE, WEC, Strikeforce), Bellator would surely be moved from MTV2 to Spike TV to offset the loss of the UFC.” It also is thought that Showtime "will not renew their contract with Strikeforce ... which could mean that UFC could be shopping Strikeforce over to Spike to prevent a Bellator move and to maintain rights to some UFC properties." Other promotions will also look to "capitalize on the move, as Versus (NBC Sports) and Showtime/CBS will be left without a major MMA promotion on the networks” (MMAPAYOUT.com, 8/16).
