The PPV telecast of the Floyd Mayweather Jr.-Manny Pacquiao fight on May 2 is "set to cost fans $99" for an HD feed and $89 for standard definition, both of which "are record prices," according to sources cited by Joe Flint of the WALL STREET JOURNAL. HBO and Showtime are "expected to wrap up deals with major pay-TV distributors in the next few days" after negotiations stalled last week as the nets and distributors "sparred over the split of what is expected to be record-setting pay-per-view revenue." Pay TV distributors initially "were asked to give up as much as 70% of the revenue instead of the usual 50% to 55%," and that offer "was quickly rejected." Sources said that the tentative agreement "now being hammered out will be less favorable to the distributors than the standard deal but not as drastic as the first offer." The final split "will also be determined by the amount of marketing and promotions the various cable operators put into the fight." If certain incentives are met, the distributors "have the potential to get 40% of the pay-per-view revenue" (WALL STREET JOURNAL, 4/2).
EYES ON THE PRIZE FIGHT: ESPN.com's Dan Rafael notes CBS will air its first "Premier Boxing Champions" telecast on Saturday afternoon and the net yesterday "announced the broadcast team for the event." Kevin Harlan "will serve as the blow-by-blow commentator" with Paulie Malignaggi and Virgil Hunter "working as analysts." CBS Sports Network's Brent Stover "will be the host." Harlan is "best known for his 30-year career calling NFL, NBA and college basketball games," but he has "also called boxing here and there over the years." Malignaggi is "well known to boxing viewers as an analyst for Showtime" since '12. Hunter "has not worked as a broadcaster, but he is one of boxing's most respected trainers." CBS was "in discussions with former heavyweight champion George Foreman to work with Stover as a co-host, but the two sides were unable to complete the deal" (ESPN.com, 4/1).
