Buying Into The Affliction Hype: Part 2

by Michael Rome on Jun 16, 2008 8:56 PM EDT in MMA News

I was only going to post on this topic once today, but Kevin Iole has an article on Affliction for Yahoo today:

Atencio is well aware of that PRIDE show’s strengths and shortcomings, but he’s convinced Affliction is set to make an impact upon the industry.

...Trump aside, Atencio is a low-key guy, but he’s not above saying he expects Affliction to be in the fight game for a long time to come.

“I’m not going to put numbers on it, but I expect the show to be a success,” he said. “With the guys we have on it, how can it not be?”

I keep hoping to hear someone at Affliction give a legitimate reason to believe the show will be a success. It appears the plan right now is to just hope people buy it.

The rumors of a UFC live show competing with Affliction may be false, which gives them a little breathing room at least.

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Comments

I think it is all a matter of how you interpret “success”.

I believe if Affliction comes even remotely close to breaking even, losing money, but showing signs of demand for their product, they will feel like it is a huge success.

If UFC 86 did that, it would hardly be considered a success.

Atencio has already stated that he doesn’t see any way they will turn a profit in their first few shows, so I’m not sure why so many people are using that as a measuring stick.

"They said you was hung!!"

"And they was RIGHT!"

by BJJDenver on Jun 16, 2008 5:07 PM EDT reply actions

Affliction won’t come close to breaking even. Do you realize how many PPVs they’d have to have, as well as the live gate?

The Affliction card is headlined by Fedor, a guy who could only muster a 13,000 PPV buy card when he headlined BoDog. His opponent was Sylvia, a guy not even the UFC could make fans like or make him a draw. I don’t see how this headlining fight (although a high quality fight) will be a good draw, or come remotely close to this show breaking even.

by Hardcharger on Jun 16, 2008 5:15 PM EDT reply actions

I wonder if Affliction has a game plan beyond their first show? If it’s a “success,” I wonder just how far ahead they planned in order to take advantage of any momentum they may have. It seems all they’ve been doing is going for one big blowout.

by pud333 on Jun 16, 2008 8:03 PM EDT reply actions

I think you guys are putting too much thought into the first card. Yes, they have a shitload of money going out. Like any investment, it takes time to get into the green. How many shows did the UFC put together before they saw anything but red numbers?

I don’t know why this is even a debate. If you bought stock in a company today, would you expect it to double by the weekend?

MMA has had enough failures at this point that it looks like you have to follow UFC’s business plan to make it work. Being backed by big money, having the greatest fighters (accompanied with the greatest match-ups), and solid promotion. Affliction has deep pockets, they are gaining the top players one at a time, and they have the cash to start building a name.

This won’t be a debate a year from now. They will be the competitor that we have been looking for.

by Heenan on Jun 16, 2008 8:17 PM EDT reply actions

I highly doubt it. Their apparent naievity is striking. I think they’re looking to go big or go home. In this case, it will be the latter. I hope I’m wrong cause I want real competition to the UFC.

by pud333 on Jun 16, 2008 8:46 PM EDT up reply actions

I’m concerned because the company is internally hoping to break even, and predicting over 200,000 buys. It suggests a level of delusion and ignorance about the business, and it makes me positive they will not be the competitor we’ve been looking for.

by Michael Rome on Jun 16, 2008 8:37 PM EDT reply actions

I hope they are just pumping the card, and not banking on it. I certainly would hope they aren’t trying to finance future cards off the only scheduled event.

Forgive me for being off topic; if the debate was whether or not they break even. They shouldn’t come close.

Has anyone verified where the money is coming from, or how much Trump is actually involved?

by Heenan on Jun 16, 2008 8:46 PM EDT reply actions

This is why you guys run a blog and not a business. Frankly you always have to think about your break-even when you start a business. I haven’t seen anything that says they are extremely confident that they were going to make it. You expect these guys to go out saying, we fully expect to lose a ton of cash and will likely go out of business with this venture. I’d love to see you go for a business loan with that attitude.

by zeroword on Jun 17, 2008 1:20 AM EDT up reply actions

I might be on the pipe-dream train, but it sure would be lovely to have an organization with a leader who isn’t such a verbal or literal slob.

by Heenan on Jun 16, 2008 9:06 PM EDT reply actions

I personally have no problem with Dana White. He has done more good for the sport of MMA than just about anyone.

Intentional Blog on Balls

by Richard Wade on Jun 16, 2008 9:32 PM EDT up reply actions

I agree with Richard

There’s way too much hating on Dana on this blog. Yeah, the guy pops off, but Richard is right that Dana (and the Fertita brothers) basically made the sport what it is today.

by thetakeover on Jun 16, 2008 9:48 PM EDT up reply actions

Big difference between early UFC and early Affliction

The early UFC didn’t have a major, well-established competitor sucking all the oxygen (and money) out of the room. It’s one thing to lose money for a few years when you can see a time when you’ll own a very lucrative market, it’s another thing entirely when the best you can hope for is to be a profitable No. 2. Seems to me Affliction is blowing its wad on Fedor v. Sylvia. I’d be surprised if it survives the year.

by thetakeover on Jun 16, 2008 9:53 PM EDT reply actions

has anyone seen a cable or satellite television advertisement for the affliction PPV? I haven’t yet.

by monkeyfightclub! on Jun 16, 2008 9:57 PM EDT reply actions

Not one.

Intentional Blog on Balls

by Richard Wade on Jun 16, 2008 10:22 PM EDT up reply actions

we have shirts

I haven’t seen TV yet but the internet buzz is incredible.

We should have some free official event shirts to give away soon.

Thanks,
MMA Chump

by mmachump on Jun 17, 2008 8:28 AM EDT up reply actions

Affliction Will Be Great

A new organizer to this great sport is beyond fantastic. The fact that it’s backed by Donald Trump gives it the money power it needs to get through the first few rough times.

I mean it can’t be much worse than Strikeforce’s last event. Their fighters didn’t even show up. It’s not like they’re new kids on the block. Their clothing line is one of the top clothing lines around for MMA fighters.

UFC even banned Affliction clothing a while back. If it wasn’t going to be a success, Dana White wouldn’t be worried about it.

Thanks,
MMA Chump

by mmachump on Jun 17, 2008 8:24 AM EDT reply actions

How did the big money backing from BoDog Fight and Calvin Ayre turn out for them?

They also had Fedor headlining a PPV with minimal advertising. The result was 13,000 PPV buys.

Affliction isn’t guaranteed to get through any tough times, and the way they’re approaching things indicates that they very well may be 1-2 shows and done.

by Hardcharger on Jun 17, 2008 9:43 AM EDT up reply actions