K2 Promotions Managing Dir Tom Loeffler said that Gennady Golovkin's unanimous decision win against Daniel Jacobs on March 18 at MSG "generated about 170,000 buys on HBO PPV." ESPN.com's Dan Rafael wrote Golovkin, in his second fight as a PPV headliner, "saw improvement from his first foray onto PPV." His October '15 world title unification fight against David Lemieux "garnered 153,000 buys." However, Golovkin "probably did not pull in the kind of number against Jacobs," which "figures to make putting together a much anticipated pay-per-view fight with superstar Canelo Alvarez in September any easier" (ESPN.com, 4/27).
BASEBALL GUY: Former MLBer Jim Thome said his new role as an analyst on MLB Network is "not full-time but it gives me an opportunity to have a little fun." In Chicago, Daryl Van Schouwen notes Thome will "continue in his duties" as a special assistant to White Sox Senior VP & GM Rick Hahn. Thome "isn't sure how much broadcasting is in his future." Thome "worked for MLB Network as a guest in February" and his "first official gig is Monday on 'MLB Tonight' alongside Sean Casey" (CHICAGO SUN-TIMES, 4/27).
START IT UP: ESPN.com's Jacob Wolf noted live-streaming platform Twitch has "come to a long-term agreement to renew its exclusive broadcasting rights partnership with multigame esports organization Team Liquid." The deal "continues a partnership that was first initiated" in '11. Financial details and length of contract were not disclosed. The agreement "includes deals with 1UP Studios and Liquid Media; the former has gained popularity in the last year as a freelance video production company in esports" (ESPN.com, 4/26).
