GoDaddy Embarks Into MMA By Sponsoring Affliction Trilogy and The "Fight Of The Century"

Zak Woods over at Watch Kalib Run pointed out this interesting press release.  The Business Journal has the scoop as well:

GoDaddy.com is flexing its marketing muscle as the marquee sponsor for a mixed martial arts title match next month in Anaheim, Calif.

The Scottsdale-based domain name registrar, known for its racy and provocative ads featuring the trademark GoDaddy girls, has never inked such a deal. The MMA sponsorship will include GoDaddy Ring Girls, logo placement in the center of the ring and on the poles, presentation of the "Tale of the Tape" and other in-match promos.

"The sport is exploding in terms of its growth. Its fans are fiercely loyal, the competition is exciting and the audience is Internet-savvy," GoDaddy founder and CEO Bob Parsons said in a prepared statement. "This sport has a loud attitude. It’s right up our alley."

The Internet giant, known for pulling publicity stunts, has sponsored athletes or events in other sports, including IndyCar, Nascar, PokerStars and the LPGA.

The Aug. 1 event, dubbed "GoDaddy.com presents Affliction M-1 Global’s Trilogy," will showcase Fedor Emelianenko, one of the toughest heavyweight fighters in the world, and Josh Barnett. It is being produced in association with Donald Trump and former boxing champ and gold medalist Oscar de la Hoya’s Golden Boy Promotions Inc. The fight will be broadcast on HDNet and Showtime Pay-Per-View.

Interesting to point out that in a time when sponsorship value and opportunities have really decreased due to the recession, which have caused marketing and sales departments all over the world to slice their budgets, MMA seems to still be a venture of choice for sponsors.  GoDaddy, which gained most of its notoriety due its presense in the mecca of all advertising in North America ( Superbowl commercials), became the latest to venture into MMA. GoDaddy is definitely investing a nice chunk of change in Affliction, and due to their edgy and out there approach to advertising and marketing, it is amazing that they haven't been involved much with MMA, up until now that is.

It is also intriguing that in the loom of possibly one of the biggest summers of MMA's history in North America and possibly MMA worldwide, we are deeply focused on sponsorship controversies in the UFC and new sponsorship opportunities for MMA.  MMA may be the only sport that I can think of where the fans root for the CEO's and COO's of companies just as much as their favorite fighters.  All this means is that big money is now in play for MMA.

The press releases after the jump...

Here is a portion of the official release from GoDaddy:

GO DADDY COMES OUT SWINGING WITH MIXED MARTIAL ARTS SPONSORSHIP TITLE

Go Daddy is Presenting Sponsor for Upcoming "Fight of the Century"

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (July 7, 2009) – GoDaddy.com is embarking on a whole new sponsorship endeavor and this one involves Go Daddy Ring Girls. The world-leading domain name registrar and Web hosting company has signed on as a marquee sponsor for one of the world’s fastest growing sports, mixed martial arts, also known as MMA.

"GoDaddy.com presents Affliction M-1 Global’s Trilogy" is a showcase of some of the sport’s premier fighters to take place August 1st in Anaheim, California. Go Daddy’s foray into MMA features a heavyweight title bout between Fedor Emelianenko, who is believed to be the best heavyweight fighter in the world, and Josh Barnett. 

Go Daddy’s MMA deal takes the company into uncharted territory, as far as sponsorships. The Internet giant, known for putting millions of people online with domain names and Web sites, has sponsored athletes or events in other sports such as IndyCar, NASCAR, PokerStars and LPGA, but never MMA.

Here is a portion of the official release from Affliction Entertainment:

SEAL BEACH, Calif., July 7 /PRNewswire/ -- Affliction Entertainment Group, LLC, a division of Affliction Clothing, the premier label that embodies our generation's fast and loud attitude and lifestyle through contemporary fashion has announced GoDaddy.com, the world-leading domain name registrar and Web hosting company, will be the title sponsor of Affliction M-1 Global's "Trilogy," slated for August 1st, at Honda Center in Anaheim, California. Included in the sponsorship are Go Daddy Ring Girls, logo placement in the center of the ring, presentation of the "Tale of the Tape" and the GoDaddy.com Fight Plan. Go Daddy branding will also be on poles within the ring and announcers will mention Go Daddy throughout the broadcast.

"We are very excited to have Go Daddy on board as our marquee sponsor," said Tom Atencio, Vice President of Affliction Entertainment. "Go Daddy and its founder, Bob Parsons, are forward-thinking visionaries who sponsor some of the most exciting sporting events. This recognition of MMA, the fastest growing sport in America, and of our amazing fight card on August 1st is a milestone."