MMAPayout.com has received an unconfirmed report that the UFC and ESPN are discussing a potential strategic partnership. Representatives from each company reportedly met for what were described as extensive discussions last week in New York and Bristol, Connecticut. While Spike is the official cable home of the UFC, there is no longer an ABC Sports division, only ESPN on ABC, leading to speculation that such a partnership could lead to live events on ABC.
This would obviously be a very very strong counter to EliteXC's CBS deal. And blows away Strikeforce's weak ass NBC infomercial deal. UFC is tied to SPIKE for exclusive cable broadcasts through 2010, but a "strategic partnership" with ESPN would presumably include serious coverage for the UFC on ESPN's industry leading sports news shows -- maybe on ABC's as well. That coverage could be worth a LOT of PPV buys. And if they go all the way and get some network time on ABC...
Let's just say HBO will probably be regretting blowing the UFC deal.
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