Comments on: Bertelsmann Media to buy large stake in UFC?

By: samscaff

samscaff — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 19:15:58 +0000

Bertelsmann is NOT a publicly traded company.

By: Jason Brewer

Jason Brewer — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 15:31:53 +0000

“I hope Dana is still in charge. Say what you want about him, but the best fight the best when he is running things. New ownership with international media ties, and more money for Dana to play with, that can only be good for MMA.”

My opinion is exactly the opposite of this….

By: Procannonfodder

Procannonfodder — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 12:23:06 +0000

I think that would be an interesting poll question for all of the Dana haters out there. Would you like to see someone else controlling the UFC and the overall direction of MMA? I may not always agree with what he says, but if it were my company, there’s noone else I would want running it….

By: Evan

Evan — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 10:57:10 +0000

Kirby thats an excellent question.

By: kirby

kirby — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 04:39:11 +0000

The article says they are “acquiring a controlling inetest”. Does this mean Danna and the brothers could still hold a combined 55 %? Or does it mean this company will get at least 51%?

By: DPK

DPK — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 03:27:32 +0000

I hope Dana is still in charge. Say what you want about him, but the best fight the best when he is running things. New ownership with international media ties, and more money for Dana to play with, that can only be good for MMA.

By: Mike C.

Mike C. — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 02:13:37 +0000

I know most people hate Dana but I’m not sure I like the idea of someone else running the UFC. As much dumb shit as he says he has done a ton for the sport. I don’t want to see a turn in the opposite direction. Would he still be in charge?

By: Two Toes

Two Toes — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 01:03:14 +0000

“I just dont see how this would work, unless it is just all about the money”

Zuffa has always been about the money first. If this deal makes enough cents to them, it’ll make sense to sell.

By: fightfan

fightfan — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 01:00:20 +0000

Thanks Patrick.

I am not the most business savvy person out there. Other than having a huge source of money, which is always good in business, and access to networks and high powered people that is always a good thing to have.

But doesnt it ALSO mean that this media company would be able to “tell” Dana and the ferttita’s directions they want the company to go towards, even if it is the opposite of what the UFC wants now. and we ALL KNOW Dana and the UFC does not play well with others!!!!!

I just dont see how this would work, unless it is just all about the money

By: Patrick

Patrick — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 00:55:26 +0000

#3, that isn’t a dumb question.

This wouldn’t necessarily immediately change anything, however what it does do is:

1. Gives the UFC more capital to use
2. Availability of more highly trained managerial specialists.
3. Provides a world wide network that they can use to launch better in other places.
4. Provides a gigantic marketing and advertising machine to their already formidable one.
5. Could provide networking deals with major T.V.

There’s more, but it’s like… if your small company merged into a huge company…