UFC officials are gearing up for a crucial week as their exclusive negotiation period with ESPN concludes on Tuesday. This opens the door for other interested parties to bid for the rights to broadcast UFC events starting in 2026.
Ari Emanuel, CEO of TKO Group Holdings, will spearhead these negotiations, continuing his role from previous UFC broadcast deals, even before TKO owned the organization. Dana White, the head of UFC, is keenly observing these developments. While ESPN`s exclusive window is closing, they can still negotiate a new agreement. However, other networks and streaming services are now also eligible to make offers.
“As the window opens, we will engage in discussions with numerous potential partners to explore available options,” White stated at the UFC 314 post-fight press conference. “As we`ve consistently said, we might consider broadcasting across multiple networks, similar to other major sports.”
“I have positive things to say about ESPN. Initially, there were some typical growing pains in our relationship, but our current partnership is strong. Whether we renew with ESPN or not, my experience with them has been great.”
There`s been much speculation about UFC potentially dividing its broadcast rights among several platforms, with streaming services like Netflix frequently mentioned as a possible primary destination.
Netflix`s significant $5 billion, 10-year deal for WWE`s Monday Night Raw is well-known, and both WWE and UFC share the same parent company. Furthermore, Netflix executives have previously expressed hesitation about traditional sports due to their seasonal nature, which doesn`t align with Netflix`s programming model.
This isn`t an issue for UFC, as they host events throughout the year. White emphasized that UFC is prepared to collaborate with any broadcast partner to meet their specific requirements.
“I’m unsure about the specifics of the new deal,” White admitted. “It hinges on the needs of ESPN or any other network we partner with. Deal structures often accommodate the network`s programming needs, considering their existing sports commitments and schedules. It’s always subject to change and doesn`t concern me much.”
Mark Shapiro, president of TKO Group Holdings, has echoed similar sentiments regarding UFC’s broadcast rights publicly. He has indicated that UFC is open to various possibilities for the upcoming TV deal, including a scenario where a broadcast partner`s payment could potentially eliminate the need for pay-per-view events in the future.
White acknowledged he couldn`t speculate on outcomes, especially with negotiations just beginning, but he appeared open to the concept.
“We adapt to the network`s preferences. What are their goals? Do they want to broadcast it traditionally? Are they interested in pay-per-view, or placing it behind a paywall? These are questions we need to explore. Starting Tuesday, as the window opens, we`ll begin discussions with other networks and delve deeper into these possibilities.”
Regarding the desired price for the new broadcast rights, with rumors suggesting UFC is seeking at least $1 billion annually—a substantial increase from the current $300 million per year ESPN contract—White simply responded, “sounds good to me!”
