Comments on: Report: NBC interested in broadcasting MMA

By: Leland Roling

Leland Roling — Mon, 19 Nov 2007 18:27:38 +0000

Ahh, you did mention it, my bad Sam, I skimmed it briefly.

By: Vess

Vess — Mon, 19 Nov 2007 17:37:26 +0000

To #3,
M-1 is a joke. They have one fighter. Do you realistically expect one of the major networks to deal with an organization with one fighter? I don’t.

The leverage that the UFC has built consists of :
a) fighters who are commonplace names in America
b) a name brand known throughout the USA
c) a proven track record of drawing in viewers regardless of the timeslot
(see the ratings of Crocop vs GG at the M.E.N and Tito vs Shamrock I, II)
d) demographics of your typical UFC viewer, white, male, 18-39, and wealthy according to Dana

If I was a network exec, I would be salivating over these bullet points and asking “HOW MUCH do you want Dana?” rather than “This is what we are willing to offer.”

By: Sam Caplan

Sam Caplan — Mon, 19 Nov 2007 17:11:05 +0000

Leland, you might want to re-read my article. Thanks.

By: Vess

Vess — Mon, 19 Nov 2007 17:10:19 +0000

Never in my lifetime would I have expected the UFC to be broadcasted on one of the main networks. This would be an incredible milestone for MMA and its acceptance by the mainstream. Just don’t put Evans or Kosheck on the first card. This would kill MMA!!!

By: Leland Roling

Leland Roling — Mon, 19 Nov 2007 17:05:40 +0000

A name that you are all forgetting is M-1 Global.

According to a source that Greg Savage apparently has, M-1 came to the table in the CBS deal when the UFC was about to step out. The entry of M-1 into the mix caused them to reconsider their stance as far as how much CBS would be giving them to air an event because the UFC would lose PPV revenues.

M-1 could easily move to NBC. It’s far fetched in my opinion, but if they tried moving into CBS when the UFC was potentially killing the deal, I don’t see why they wouldn’t bid for NBC as well.

By: Zack

Zack — Mon, 19 Nov 2007 16:07:39 +0000

I don’t understand what Zuffa is doing/is going to do with the WEC. Their strategy makes no sense to me. If it isn’t a “minor league” for the UFC, then how are they not weakening the UFC by having top-tier fighters fighting in the WEC? How will they keep Filho and Condit busy without moving UFC fighters over?

If I were the UFC I would
1) Use the WEC as a developmental league and as a Bushido-like enitity that features the lower weight classes.
2) Find a better TV deal than Vs and put on fights once a month, with the goal being developing the identity of up and coming fighters without the trope of the TUF reality format.

By: ossBASHA

ossBASHA — Mon, 19 Nov 2007 15:31:40 +0000

Honestly, why even bother with WEC when you have strong brand like PRIDE? I guess they’re two completely different things. They can probably snatch a bit of viewers from EliteXC and Strikeforce with PRIDE resurrection.