Quote of the Day: Dave Meltzer
"I talked to Tom Atencio today, and he made it clear that they cannot lose this kind of money on a second show...The reality is the same as it was a week ago, you still need television [to be successful]."
-- Dave Meltzer speaking to Bryan Alvarez on Wrestling Observer Radio.
I highly recommend signing up for the website, even if (like me) you have no interest in pro wrestling. Getting the observer and hearing Dave's audio on MMA 3 times a week is definitely worth the money.
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I would bet they take out the rock band.
by Eugene Schelfaut on Jul 24, 2008 12:02 PM EDT reply actions
I knew there was no way they made even one dime profit. There are just too many factors not being considered or tallied up. Hell Micheal Buffer probably cost in the range of 25-40,000. They’re underpaying their number one fighter and are still losing money. Not good when the UFC will have no problem tripling Afflictions best offer. That coupled with the probablity that their first show will also be their biggest ppv draw doesn’t not spell good things for the company. I’m wondering just how much the Don has got invested into this. Plus network TV didn’t save the IFL, so don’t put all your eggs into that basket either. To think all you need is a network deal is very naive.
I thought anytime Michael Buffer says his trademark “Let’s Get Ready to Rumble” he charges $150,000. He said it twice that night, so that’s $300,000.
by lovingmma25 on Jul 24, 2008 12:32 PM EDT up reply actions
In addition to Dave Meltzer, you also get the best fight breakdowns, in my opinion, from Mike Coughlin on his show and interviews, UFC insider news, and the goings-on in Las Vegas with fighters on Oliver Copp and Mike Sawyer’s show.
There’s tons of garbage on the site, but the good stuff makes it well worth the price as far as I’m concerned.
$$$
There are many ways to ease the cost of expenses. Make the venue smaller, get the classy Jimmy Lennon Jr. instead of overpaid Buffer, Fire death metal band, only have two commentators, make fight pay incentive based as well, ect. Like who’s bright idea was it to give Silvia 800,000? Maybe 400 to fight and 4 to win, but 8 flat? For a non- future investment fighter? DUMB Apply these monies to advertising. Whoever is in charge of what they’ve done so far (besides their talent pool) should be shot in the groin.
Yea, I’m pretty sure it’s in the 20-25k range. A few years ago they brought him into say his piece on the pitchers mound of a women’s fastpitch tournament, and he got 20k for it. Seriously.
As for cutting costs…don’t a lot of the big name guys (Fedor, Arlovski, Sylvia, etc) have 3 fight contracts? I don’t see them cutting fighter payroll at the top anytime soon….so they gotta do it in other ways.
Affliction got Sylvia/Rothwell on loan from AdrenalineMMA…I don’t think they have a contract with Affliction.
http://tharealness.wordpress.com/
by Tha Realness on Jul 24, 2008 1:08 PM EDT up reply actions
I thought they were non-exclusive deals, so they could sign wherever they wanted? I don’t think they’re “on loan”, persay.
The deal with AdrenalineMMA is non exclusive…however, I don’t think they have a 3 fight contract with Affliction.
http://tharealness.wordpress.com/
by Tha Realness on Jul 24, 2008 1:58 PM EDT up reply actions
Its not about cutting fighter payroll, its about spreading out the talent on multiple cards. It doesn’t make fans happy, but you have to pad the undercard with lesser known guys that you can get cheap. They put on shows that are just as great, but its harder to get buys and get people excited. I think that is why Affliction will fail. Either they will pad the undercard and not beable to build buzz for there future events or they will continue to blow there show wad on fighters payroll. They have an advantage over other orgs because they never HAVE to make money. If they break even then they win in clothing sales. There fighting branch is like the Baltimore Ravens offense, just don’t screw it all up.
Actually, speaking of AdrenalineMMA, their 2nd show is scheduled for Sept 6th, and is supposed to feature Sylvia and Rothwell. I guess this means neither would be available for the next Affliction show?
TV is absolutely key, be it highlight shows, reality or full cards. That exposure is very important.
A couple years back, WFA put a preview show on Showtime, which spurred me on to buy the PPV. That was as about as simple and minimal exposure as you can get, but it worked.
Any word on EXC getting their reality show together? It seems to me, the best way for these orgs to survive, is to work together and share expenses.
"The bigger the cushion, the sweeter the pushin'"
Another Quote from Dave
This is word for word from Meltzer’s new Newsletter, which was just posted today:
“As far as the numbers went, the big number everyone is looking for is the Affliction PPV number. Based on independent estimates we’ve heard, the number has been estimated at between 50,000 and 85,000 buys. Atencio claimed the number as being higher, saying it topped 100,000, although at press time, any numbers could only be considered rough estimates. Atencio told us that since UFC doesn’t release numbers, he’s not going to either (I know, after saying it was more than 100,000). Keep in mind that Pride claimed 150,000 buys for its first U.S. PPV in 2006, and the real number ended up being 40,000 (we know that because Nevada taxes on PPV revenue so you can get a real number; California does not so getting real numbers will be more difficult).”
I don’t think they will use both Fedor and Tito on the same card, as the cost would be huge.
I don’t think any of us really believe that Fedor made 300k, while Tim made 800k.
Just like Tito has been listed at 200-250k, but has made at least 750k since coming back to the UFC.
Fedor/AA and Tito/Babalu would likely cost them close to 2 million.
I agree it is more likely that Tito will go to Elite, but money could talk and Affliction will likely offer a larger downside.
Pretty sure he’s going to Elite. He wants the CBS exposure to make himself a star. It’ll be interesting to see if UFC makes him an even better offer to keep him away from others now.
Fedor cost them 1.5 million alone according to Meltzer, and Arlovski was 750k. That fight alone would be 2 million +.
And Tito will command money on par with what Fedor is making for sure. In fact I wouldn’t be surprised at all if Tito asked for the same deal Fedor received (knowing Tito maybe same deal plus a dollar).
I think you would be looking at over 4 million for those two fights, or basically the kind of money that is impossible for Affliction to pay and have their event turn a profit (Even before you account for the rest of the fighters’ wages).

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