UFC Founder Back in MMA

This diary entry was promoted to the front page by Luke Thomas.

With the recent announcement of a partnership between UFC founder Bob Meyrowitz and Live Nation it is becoming much more likely you will see more MMA on a TV near you, possibly even Network Television.    

Live Nation (with their Motocross property and with their Mountain Dew Action Sports tour) like to use the Saturday and Sunday afternoon sports blocks in order to publicize their various properties. Live Nation  have used their tv deal with CBS to drive folks towards their Motocross shows, raising the visibility of the sport and driving folks to the arena shows.  Live Nation is also a part owner of Mountain Dew Action Sports Tour, that airs on a semi-regular basis on NBC.  Airing the AST on network TV drives folks to the events put on at various arenas around the country.  

NBC would be an attractive home for any programming from this Meyrowitz/Live Nation marriage.  The Peacock Network lacks a deal for Sunday afternoon NFL games and only has Notre Dame home games to take room on Saturday afternoons (They have a NASCAR deal, but that is limited in scope as to how much of the schedule they air on the network.)  Their  Mountain Dew Action Sports Tour would be a good vehicle for cross promotion and has a similar demographic bent to sell to.

The Meyrowitz promotion will have the ability to leapfrog other rival promotions by virue of their  relationship with Live Nation.  Meyrowitz won't be able to compete with his creation (UFC) yet, but having Live Nation backing him will give him  a leg up on others (IFL, Pro Elite, Mark Cuban) trying to provide Zuffa with legitimate competition.