Speculating on the Speculation: Dana White's Big Announcement

by Kid Nate on Jun 9, 2008 7:26 PM EDT in News Comment 41 comments

Last week, Dana White told ESPN's Ryan Hockensmith that he will be making an announcement this Thursday so big that will not only "blow people's minds" it will also be "an indicator of where this business is going over the next five years." Every body and their crazy friend has been speculating about just what Dana has up his sleeve. Jay Larkin of the IFL is trying to upstage Dana with a hastily planned press conference of his own. Jerry Park's even holding a contest to see who can guess what it will be.

Some of the stupidest claims have already been refuted. Some of them were just bad jokes. But some of the speculation has been thoughtful and worth a look.

Sam Caplan of 5oz. of Pain runs through several possibilities before settling on these two:

My prediction for Thursday is this: White will announce next that the UFC has signed a long-term agreement with FOX to televise fights on a quarterly basis on network primetime television along with a option to buy a portion of the company over time. I’m betting that the first show will be this September at UFC 88 in Atlanta and will be headlined by either Chuck Liddell vs. Wanderlei Silva or Liddell vs. Rashad Evans.

The other possibility is that the deal could be with ABC/ESPN. White has done a lot of press with ESPN’s properties recently and the UFC had a role in getting ESPN’s new “ESPN Live” show on the air by allowing the Worldwide Leader to use its footage. Not to mention, Kenny Florian is a contracted UFC fighter and the show’s other co-host, Franklin McNeil of the Newark Star-Ledger, is someone that has had a good rapport with White. The fact that Dana made it a point to say he was disappointed by the Kimbo coverage on ESPN is also an intriguing statement.

But this audio interview with Dana seems to rule out that possibility at least that's what Kelsey Philpott of MMA Payout thinks it means.

Me personally, I got nothing, I've marked out for Dana's flim flam one too many times to get worked up in advance. When he pulls up his skirts and shows everybody what he's hiding under there I'll take a nice long look and let you know what I think, but in the meantime, this sailor has been teased once too often by the flirtatious Dana White.

UPDATE: Some very interesting speculation at the Underground and MMA Rated.

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The last big announcement was about the TUF coaches, right? He asserts that this is bigger than that, but a lot of things strike me as bigger than that. I’m curious, but I’m no excited.

Intentional Blog on Balls

by Richard Wade on Jun 9, 2008 8:11 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

That is a brilliant picture.

And maybe they’re going to announce some sort of expansion? He’s already said no to the TV deal, so there’s not much.

Maybe he’s signed Gomi or something. Heh. I have no idea where he’s fighting right now so don’t hold that against me.

by Gong on Jun 9, 2008 8:25 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Caplan dealt with the Gomi

possibilities in his post.
He didn’t think that a Gomi signing was big enough—not going to “change the direction of the sport for the next 5 years” or whatever.
And FYI Gomi is signed to Sengoku and has already fought for them once, beating Duane “Bang” Ludwig.

by Kid Nate on Jun 9, 2008 8:44 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah, that’s what I thought too. And ah, Sengoku? I’m not too familiar with Japanese fighters+promotions.

I still think it might be an official announcement regarding some expansion news (or was it a rumour?) I heard about before. Should be big enough to ‘drastically’ affect the sport, and it’s a bit left field-y.

by Gong on Jun 9, 2008 10:06 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

That is indeed a brilliant picture. Where is it from?

by Carpal on Jun 10, 2008 2:20 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I’m going to guess it has to do more with the WEC / UFC combining weight classes.

And perhaps that a venue has been secured at MSG for a december show.

But for something to drastically change the direction of this company for the next 5 years, would have to be something that increases the exposure the company has on a new potential audience.

So my third guess will be that UFC 88 will be free on a major television network with Chuck vs Shogun as the main card. ABC or NBC more likely than Fox.

by DirtyML on Jun 9, 2008 8:32 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I’ve read rumors of Liddell vs Anderson Silva at a catch weight. Just rumors though.

by Fujin on Jun 9, 2008 9:06 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I’m pretty sure that ESPN/ABC is out of the picture because disney owns them. NBC maybe. But Fox network TV would be a pretty good fit since their prime time programming “pushes the envelope”.

by monkeyfightclub! on Jun 9, 2008 9:13 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

My initial thought when I heard Dana had a big announcement was a network deal with Fox. It would make sense given the magnitude Dana seems to think the deal has. Then again, it could be something like Atlanta will host a UFC card in 2008, given Dana’s tendency to exaggerate the importance of his announcements. With that said, I’m cautiously optimistic the announcement will have an important impact on the mma landscape.

One random thought I did have (sparked by Caplan’s article) was the announcement of another major sponsor. Something along the lines of Nike creating a line of mma apparel, or Gatorade making commercials featuring mma fighters. A company people associate with sports becoming a UFC sponsor would be a huge step for mma in winning widespread acceptance as a legitimate sport, which is why I think Caplan is wrong to discount it as a possibility.

by Andy R on Jun 9, 2008 9:22 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I think it will be an equity deal, I suspect the Fertittas have sold a portion of their ownership in the compan, maybe to a big company like fox.

by Michael Rome on Jun 9, 2008 9:23 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

or maybe to the McMahons

by Kid Nate on Jun 9, 2008 9:37 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I heard they gonna have BJ Penn fight a grizzly bear.

by mythbuster on Jun 9, 2008 9:24 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Once Again...

UFC 100 ON MARS

Other, less-realistic, possibilities:

- UFC signs Fedor
- Couture and Ortiz re-sign with UFC
- Zuffa purchases Affliction

by Brett Jones on Jun 9, 2008 9:31 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Its New York.

by MrNiceGuyMMA on Jun 9, 2008 10:18 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

The guy on the UG

Who posted that rumor is a known troll. Not to say he’s not right, but I’d be careful with anything he says.

by Luke Thomas on Jun 9, 2008 10:35 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

THE REAL ANNOUNCEMENT

Must I be the only one with a SOURCE here? No Dana White and Vince McMahon are not in business nor would that dictate the direction of the sport. No it has nothing to do with ABC, ESPN, FOX or anything as the sport has already gone there and it isnt where the sport…IS GOING…UFC has signed Floyd Mayweather and the sport is going towards athletes going to MMA to show their skills and not boxing. Come on people…start calling me for your news.

by TAKEDOWN on Jun 9, 2008 10:51 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

State your source, dude.

Dana White already said this about your news:

“LMFAO! Neeeeevver! I have been in london and just landed in NYC! If I was gonna pay 200 million (dollars), it would be to mixed martial artists who fight their fuckin’ asses off, not a bunch of pussy boxers that don’t fuckin’ fight. And you can quote me on that.”

by Popetastic on Jun 9, 2008 11:07 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

This is really a battle of Who’s More Gullible…

by mythbuster on Jun 10, 2008 12:27 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Must be me. After all, I did make the painstaking effort to copy and paste this quote. I tend to believe something that sounds exactly like something Dana White would say slightly more than the 200-million dollar rumor started by a website that also suggested that Ray Lewis signed a UFC contract.

Call me crazy.

by Popetastic on Jun 10, 2008 1:10 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

It's not an either / or thing

It’s not as if, either Floyd gets signed for 200mil, or Dana wrote that text message. It’s possible they are both BS.

Also, the first line of your response above was “State your source, dude”. You then go ahead and throw up a quote that was written by some random guy on another forum.

We’ve passed Crazytown. Let’s stop the BS train here, folks.

by mythbuster on Jun 10, 2008 7:49 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Just a thought...

At first, I thought the BIG news would be about UFC’s international expansion, since, as I was reading this, I saw from a news report here (Manila, Philippines) that the UFC will be doing a show here. Then, I remember DW commenting about it a while back, so that must not be it.

I’ve read the rumor form the UG, looks like its legit and pretty logical too. But the problem I see with being associated with Vince and the WWE is that It may rub off its “fakeness”, pardon the term, I obviously have a limited vocabulary. Hence, the comments about WWE style programming being introduced in the octagon®.

But if seen from a business standpoint, I think that’ll be quite a possibility. However, I have no idea what trolls and trolling are..

by Johann on Jun 9, 2008 11:21 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

trolls

from wikipedia:

An Internet troll, or simply troll in Internet slang, is someone who posts controversial and usually irrelevant or off-topic messages in an online community, such as an online discussion forum or chat room, with the intention of baiting other users into an emotional response1 or to generally disrupt normal on-topic discussion.

by Kid Nate on Jun 9, 2008 11:36 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Oh.. Thanks Nate! Sorry to have wasted your time looking for that…

by Johann on Jun 10, 2008 12:22 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Since you brought it up

I don’t don’t think “Fakeness” is the problem with a WWE association; I think the issue has been class. The UFC, despite the screaming angry intros and the gladiator, are trying to push the concept of MMA being somewhat classy. Vince has always pushed trash, and in siding with the UFC would instantly destroy everything Zuffa has tried to build.

A slightly honorable reputation.

by asa on Jun 10, 2008 12:17 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Well..

I don’t have much to say about WWE’s classiness or lack of it, I haven’t watched it long enough to get that impression. I know from the start that they’re trying to sell their man drama more than anything else, and all the crap Vince is doing is part of his “Character.”

But if a lot of people i.e. WWE fans, tend to think that the WWE is real or believes it to be as such, then I think you’re right in that they’ll rub off their trashiness to UFC.

by Johann on Jun 10, 2008 12:45 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

From the first post in that link:

From a very reliable source, rumor has it that a group of investors led by Dana White have agreed in principle to purchase the UFC from Frank and Lorenzo Fertitta for an undisclosed amount. Included in this investment group is WWE’s Vince McMahon who will now own a minority stake in the company. They also have plans on taking the company public by years end. At the press conference also expect Dana to announce that with the help of McMahon, who has extensive connections in the New York State Athletic Commission, they were able to get the UFC sanctioned in New York, and plan on having a show sometime in the winter at Madison Square Garden. That is all I have right now.<

Where this BS falls apart: The MMA ban in New York was passed by the state legislature and was signed into law by then-Governor Pataki. The NY state athletic commission has absolutely nothing to do with it. Whether or not McMahon has sway with NYSAC means NOTHING; the athletic commission does not have any power to overturn the legislature’s laws. Even if the entire commission wanted MMA in NY, the legislature would still have to revoke the law.

by andherewego on Jun 10, 2008 3:23 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

That’s a very good point, but to me, the whole thing falls apart a bit earlier:

They also have plans on taking the company public by years end.

Dana White has been adamant about never being involved with a public MMA company, as having to answer to investors would prevent him from conducting business the way White wants to.

by Brett Jones on Jun 10, 2008 10:23 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I see..

I overlooked that part. but then again, I’m pretty oblivious to your legislative process..
I guess we’ll just have to just wait and see…

by Johann on Jun 10, 2008 10:50 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I’m almost certain now that it’s not a TV deal, as much as I was hoping it would be. Listening at that audio White doesn’t balk, pause or anything about the question presented to him.
He does say that he has to tell his employees first so my guess is that it is related to the Fertitta bros selling their primary shares and getting out of the MMA business, or something similar.
I will be totally surprised if it has anything to do with TV.

by pr0cs on Jun 10, 2008 12:08 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

If it’s something big, it’s probably sale of the company I think.

Intentional Blog on Balls

by Richard Wade on Jun 10, 2008 12:40 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

ok, it’s not Floyd. It’s not Gomi, Its not a coaches or fight announcement, It is not a total sale of the company, but I could see someone getting a chance to buy into it, i don’t see it being an expansion, because they are still just getting started in Europe, Not a NY show, not NBC, they have Strikeforce, sooo….

it would be either a tv deal with Fox or ABCESPNTVDisney OR a major sponsor like Nike, with actual involvement with the operations of the UFC or such.

That is just my guess, but I think it will be something on the business side for sure. He isn’t gathering all the employees to announce a fight.

"They said you was hung!!"

"And they was RIGHT!"

by BJJDenver on Jun 10, 2008 12:46 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I think that’s the one thing that’s certain. It has to be a business related announcement.

Intentional Blog on Balls

by Richard Wade on Jun 10, 2008 1:05 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I think he is going to announce the birth of Brad and Angelina’s twins.

"They said you was hung!!"

"And they was RIGHT!"

by BJJDenver on Jun 10, 2008 12:49 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

FLOYD....

...MAYWEATHER

by TAKEDOWN on Jun 10, 2008 12:52 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

People posting what they want it to be and citing “sources” is starting to get annoying.

by Michael Rome on Jun 10, 2008 12:59 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Public

I think they are taking the company public, obviously keeping majority share. Would not be surprised if they sell a large portion to a network which is spun into a tv deal. It has to be a sale, the only thing that makes sense.

by strictlymma.com on Jun 10, 2008 7:11 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Brock Lesnar to appear with Dana ...

Posted on UFC.com:

Dana White and heavyweight sensation Brock Lesnar will appear live on CNBC’s “Power Lunch” today to announce an exciting new UFC deal. The show airs at 12:40pm ET.

Hope that doesn’t mean the WWE rumors are true …

by thetakeover on Jun 10, 2008 9:14 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

If I remember correctly, the UFC used WWE footage of Brock leading up to his match with Mir. At the time people were wondering how they managed to get permission for it.

I guess it could have been that these talks have been going on for quite a while.

by mythbuster on Jun 10, 2008 11:21 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs