ESPN under the deal will air 18 events on the net and 13 primetime events on ESPN+espn images
ESPN and Top Rank have "struck a seven-year rights deal that will put 54 boxing events on ESPN's various outlets" through '25, according to Brian Steinberg of VARIETY. ESPN under the deal will "air 18 events on ESPN, and 13 prime time events on ESPN+." The OTT service will also "feature 24 international events and undercard coverage of all 54 events." ESPN has also "struck a recent deal with UFC." The net is "clearly using the new rights package to boost interest in ESPN+." CAA "brokered the deal with ESPN" on behalf of Top Rank (VARIETY.com, 8/2). The HOLLYWOOD REPORTER's Ryan Parker reported boxing news, information and opinion will also "appear across ESPN platforms with new programs in development, which will be announced at a later date" (HOLLYWOODREPORTER.com, 8/2). ESPN.com's Dan Rafael noted Top Rank and ESPN "signed a four-year deal" that began last August. That deal was "amended in April to coincide with the launch" of ESPN+ (ESPN.com, 8/2).
GETTING EXPOSURE: YAHOO SPORTS' Kevin Iole wrote what was important to Top Rank President Todd duBoef was that by "turning over his entire vertical to ESPN, it would provide significant additional shoulder programming that would help raise the profile of the boxers in particular and the sport in general." He "believed that if boxing was treated similarly to the way the NFL and NBA are on television, with pre- and post-game shows and studio shows with expert analysis, boxing would grow in popularity in the U.S." (SPORTS.YAHOO.com, 8/2).
