ESPN will use the UFC as a way to provide popular programming for its recently-launched OTT service GETTY IMAGES
ESPN has agreed to a deal that will see it carry 15 UFC events exclusively on its direct-to-consumer ESPN+ platform. ESPN has committed to pay $150M per year over five years as part of the deal. The deal covers the rights for the UFC’s digital package, meaning that other digital players like Amazon, which sells UFC PPV, will not have rights to streams from UFC events that are not on PPV. The league still is in the market to sell a broadcast package, which would have around a couple dozen events, and has been talking to Fox Sports and NBC Sports about picking it up. A broadcast deal is not imminent, sources said. The UFC’s current deal with Fox Sports ends at the end of the year. Sources said ESPN had been lukewarm about doing any kind of UFC deal under former President John Skipper, but new President Jimmy Pitaro and Disney Chair of Direct-to-Consumer & Int'l Kevin Mayer showed more interest. ESPN warmed to the UFC as a way to provide popular programming for its new OTT service, which launched less than a month ago. As part of its deal, ESPN gains the rights to a number of UFC events plus some shoulder programming to support them. Endeavor’s Mark Shapiro and Ari Emanuel led negotiations for UFC. ESPN’s side was led by Mayer, Pitaro and Exec VP/Programming & Scheduling Burke Magnus (John Ourand, Staff Writer).
NOT LACKING CONTENT: YAHOO SPORTS' Kevin Iole notes in addition to the fight cards, which will be tagged “UFC on ESPN+ Fight Night,” the deal will "include new seasons of 'Dana White’s Contender Series,'" beginning in June '19; an "original all-access series; pre- and post-fight shows; non-exclusive access to the UFC’s fight library and events such as news conferences and weigh-ins." The ESPN+ deal will "not replace the UFC FightPass streaming service, nor will it eliminate pay-per-view events." UFC President Dana White said that he "feels the deal with ESPN is a step forward for his company" (SPORTS.YAHOO.com, 5/8).
