EliteXC to Sign Deal with CBS?

by Kid Nate on Feb 27, 2008 3:31 PM EST in News Comment 15 comments

Wow. If this pans out its a major major shakeup for MMA in the US. MMA Junkie breaks it:

ProElite Inc., the parent company of Elite Xtreme Combat, is expected to announce a deal with CBS that will put MMA on major network television for the first time.

Sources close to the deal tell MMAjunkie.com that an agreement has been reached between CBS and the Los Angeles-based ProElite. However, officials could not publicly comment on the matter.

EliteXC was founded as a partnership with Showtime Networks Inc. in 2006. The organization's events, which are held under the EliteXC and ShowXC banners, currently air on Showtime.

Showtime is owned by CBS.

A source who spoke exclusively to MMAjunkie.com said that CBS will broadcast live EliteXC events in prime-time slots. The events will likely take place every other month.

How did Gary Shaw beat Dana White to the network? Simple, Dana's control freak tendencies queered the deal for the UFC:

Beginning in October, UFC president Dana White stated that he was confident the organization would reach a deal with a major TV network, most notably CBS or NBC. In November MediaPost Publications reported that the UFC and CBS were in "advanced negotiations" and that the announcement of an official partnership was expected to happen at any time. UFC 81, which took place earlier this month, was expected to be the first UFC event to air on CBS.

However, the deal eventually fell apart — reportedly over issues with the creative control of the events. Those same issues kept a deal between the UFC and HBO from coming together last year, as well.

Update [2008-2-27 16:21:40 by Luke Thomas]:: Sam Caplan adds some salient commentary:

The big key though is for EliteXC and CBS to make sure the right producer is involved with the project. Getting on TV is not enough. It’s what you do with your allotted amount of time that counts. Unfortunately, the IFL learned that lesson the hard way. Landing a deal with MyNetworkTV was a huge coup for them. However, the vision set forth by the original production company did more harm than good for the IFL.

A producer who understands the needs of the hardcore MMA fan but also the casual fan is essential. If the sport is presented in an overly technical manner, hardcore fans will be pleased but the telecast will fail to resonate with casual fans. However, if an attempt is made to appeal only to casual fans and we end up with a product that is essentially "American Gladiators" but for MMA, it’s going to be a total bomb. Hopefully the corporate synergy that exists between CBS, SHOWTIME, and ProElite will be utilized. I’m biased, but I think SHOWTIME has done a strong job with how it has presented MMA. I hope the key principals involved with SHOWTIME’s production for MMA also become key principals of CBS’ production for MMA.

I had been quoted on the record in the past as saying that I believed the sport’s growth had plateaued, but it looks like I may have been incorrect. I’m starting to get the feeling that MMA is about to undergo another major growth spurt.

You have to think a rival network is going to sign the UFC very soon. White & Co. won't let this go unanswered even if it means bending on demands that they heretofore would not do.

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Re: Elite XC to Sign Deal with CBS?

Here's hoping if it goes through we get Yves Edwards/KJ Noons on network TV. Both charismatic with "TV looks." It's the right kind of matchup for EXC on CBS.

by Brent Brookhouse on Feb 27, 2008 3:35 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Re: Elite XC to Sign Deal with CBS?

Yeah for free MMA on TV. =)

Booo for Gary Shaw and Skala.

by Nick Thomas on Feb 27, 2008 3:37 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Re: Elite XC to Sign Deal with CBS?

Having such a prime spot locked up will make EXC a real power broker for the non-UFC promtions and Promoters. M-1, Cuban and others will gravitate to working with Shaw and EXC because the nature of over the air tv will help make their fighters stars and help sell their PPV's. Suddenly a randy vs fedor fight with no tv that would have done poorly on ppv could be turned into a fight that is hyped over several cards on network cbs could do a real good number...

by robnashville on Feb 27, 2008 3:48 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Re: Elite XC to Sign Deal with CBS?

It's great news, EliteXC to me has put on some pretty decent events. I'm not a fan of Shaw though but free TV is free TV.
I'm most curious to see if / how the UFC will counter. Will White finally pull his head out of his ass and start handing over some of the production control to people who will likely do a better job?

by pr0cs on Feb 27, 2008 3:50 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Re: Elite XC to Sign Deal with CBS?

Good question. I wonder if Dana thought he'd never get scooped or at least not by Gary Shaw.

Let's also be honest: if the Street Certified event hadn't been a success, there's no way this deal would've been done. I'm not claiming this is all Kimbo's doing, but his appeal - and the legitimacy of the rest of the card - was a winning formula.

by Luke Thomas on Feb 27, 2008 3:57 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Re: Elite XC to Sign Deal with CBS?

Ugh. Damn it. We could have had UFC on CBS, but instead we'll get this garbage. Oh well. Free MMA is free MMA.

by Richard Wade on Feb 27, 2008 3:55 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Re: Elite XC to Sign Deal with CBS?

I wish we could know what aspects of the deals Dana couldn't live with. I wonder if it had anything to do with control over matchmaking.

I suspect if this is true, the first free show will be Shamrock/Kimbo in June.

by Michael Rome on Feb 27, 2008 4:14 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Re: Elite XC to Sign Deal with CBS?

That clip of Shaw putting his fat little hands on Gina is pissing me off! And the Kimbo porn/MMA fusion is so utterly lamentable. They're gonna have to straighten up and fly right if they're gonna get past the censors.

by jaydog on Feb 27, 2008 4:22 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Re: Elite XC to Sign Deal with CBS?

Responding to Luke's post...Fox supposedly made an outright bid to buy The UFC weeks ago during negotiations for TV. I expect if we see UFC on network TV soon, it will be on Fox.

by Michael Rome on Feb 27, 2008 4:32 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Re: Elite XC to Sign Deal with CBS?

If this results in the UFC finally caving on their stranglehold on production rights and gets them on network TV, this is absolutely a huge step forward for the sport, imo.

by MikeyPatriot on Feb 27, 2008 4:53 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Re: Elite XC to Sign Deal with CBS?

Agreed.

And I'm tired of the UFC narratives dictating impressions.

by Luke Thomas on Feb 27, 2008 4:54 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Re: Elite XC to Sign Deal with CBS?

I bet the UFC will have an annoucement shortly...AND it will up the ante even more...

by Tha Realness on Feb 27, 2008 5:09 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Re: Elite XC to Sign Deal with CBS?

I don't know, honestly I'm not expecting them to do anything. IMO they'll have the "wait and see" approach to see how the production has changed and what sort of event EliteXC puts on (and the post reaction via viewership numbers).
I hope I'm wrong though and the UFC scrambles to find an appropriate suitor to counter this move.

by pr0cs on Feb 27, 2008 5:20 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs