Comments on: The time has arrived for ESPN to cover MMA like a major sport http://fiveouncesofpain.com/2008/09/07/the-time-has-arrived-for-espn-to-cover-mma-like-a-major-sport/ Your Destination for Insider MMA News and Opinion Sat, 26 May 2012 17:18:50 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.4 By: gomez http://fiveouncesofpain.com/2008/09/07/the-time-has-arrived-for-espn-to-cover-mma-like-a-major-sport/comment-page-1/#comment-48885 gomez Tue, 09 Sep 2008 20:49:25 +0000 http://fiveouncesofpain.com/?p=6255#comment-48885 Believe it or not ESPN does broadcast MMA news. It just comes on online on thursdays. It's called MMA LIVE. Which Frank Mir and Kenny Florian and two of the host. Its a pretty good show. On a recent MMANEWS.com article. It talked about that show. Apparently they are in talks about making it a regular broadcast on ESPN. Believe it or not ESPN does broadcast MMA news. It just comes on online on thursdays. It’s called MMA LIVE. Which Frank Mir and Kenny Florian and two of the host. Its a pretty good show. On a recent MMANEWS.com article. It talked about that show. Apparently they are in talks about making it a regular broadcast on ESPN.

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]]> By: ultmma http://fiveouncesofpain.com/2008/09/07/the-time-has-arrived-for-espn-to-cover-mma-like-a-major-sport/comment-page-1/#comment-48723 ultmma Tue, 09 Sep 2008 02:38:38 +0000 http://fiveouncesofpain.com/?p=6255#comment-48723 Sam, What do Extreme Sports, Golf, Tennis, Boxing, the NHL, competitive eating, non-stock car racing event have in common?? They all have a T.V deals or a regular time slot with the ABC/ESPN family of networks. Cut a deal with the worldwide leader and watch the UFC be treated like the 7th biggest sport...... we all can assume that UFC is the only promotion in position to cut a deal with ESPN. p,s its a joke the Goldberg and Rogan are the guys ESPN turns to to give pre-post fight analysis Imagine after the upcoming presidential debates a major network (CNN) goes to the Obama or McCain spokesperson as the be all end all analysis of the debate. Sam,

What do Extreme Sports, Golf, Tennis, Boxing, the NHL, competitive eating, non-stock car racing event have in common??

They all have a T.V deals or a regular time slot with the ABC/ESPN family of networks.

Cut a deal with the worldwide leader and watch the UFC be treated like the 7th biggest sport…… we all can assume that UFC is the only promotion in position to cut a deal with ESPN.

p,s its a joke the Goldberg and Rogan are the guys ESPN turns to to give pre-post fight analysis

Imagine after the upcoming presidential debates a major network (CNN) goes to the Obama or McCain spokesperson as the be all end all analysis of the debate.

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]]> By: Jesse http://fiveouncesofpain.com/2008/09/07/the-time-has-arrived-for-espn-to-cover-mma-like-a-major-sport/comment-page-1/#comment-48654 Jesse Mon, 08 Sep 2008 18:44:09 +0000 http://fiveouncesofpain.com/?p=6255#comment-48654 i'm happy they covered it at all.. mma will be feautred on espn soon enough it's all about money.. i’m happy they covered it at all..
mma will be feautred on espn soon enough it’s all about money..

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]]> By: Matt http://fiveouncesofpain.com/2008/09/07/the-time-has-arrived-for-espn-to-cover-mma-like-a-major-sport/comment-page-1/#comment-48647 Matt Mon, 08 Sep 2008 18:05:37 +0000 http://fiveouncesofpain.com/?p=6255#comment-48647 You're a little wrong about NFL Network employees covering the NFL. Its not the exact same bias (there really isn't a bias on NFL Network)... Rogan and Goldie wouldn't say anything bad about the UFC. NFL Network guys take shots at the league and things they want changed on the daily basis. The Hosts might be company men (but not really, they say what they want also)...but the rest of the people on the network are former players/coaches and they say what they want about anything they want. NFL Network > ESPN.... When a player in the NFL gets arrested NFL Network has breaking news on it, says the entire story, not biased towards anything, just gives the story, then former players say how the guys is an idiot... When a fighter in the UFC gets arrested, you don't see UFC commentators talking about it?? Your comparison there didn't make sense, at all... You’re a little wrong about NFL Network employees covering the NFL. Its not the exact same bias (there really isn’t a bias on NFL Network)…

Rogan and Goldie wouldn’t say anything bad about the UFC. NFL Network guys take shots at the league and things they want changed on the daily basis. The Hosts might be company men (but not really, they say what they want also)…but the rest of the people on the network are former players/coaches and they say what they want about anything they want.

NFL Network > ESPN….

When a player in the NFL gets arrested NFL Network has breaking news on it, says the entire story, not biased towards anything, just gives the story, then former players say how the guys is an idiot…

When a fighter in the UFC gets arrested, you don’t see UFC commentators talking about it??

Your comparison there didn’t make sense, at all…

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]]> By: rob http://fiveouncesofpain.com/2008/09/07/the-time-has-arrived-for-espn-to-cover-mma-like-a-major-sport/comment-page-1/#comment-48615 rob Mon, 08 Sep 2008 15:11:08 +0000 http://fiveouncesofpain.com/?p=6255#comment-48615 texasspider - - Max is taking Larry Merchants spot (when he retires) as Main boxing analyst at HBO - a position which will pay him more than any MMA gig he could get - I love MAx, but he's staying put. I would love ESPN to cover MMA more - they have a 30 min (albeit online) show with Jon Anik, Franklin Mcneil, Ken FLO, and Frank Mir doing demos of BJJ subs. I do not want ESPN to cover it like a regular sport though - - there's something about Bob Ley and company calling highlights of the fights.........personally. Put the MMA Live show on for an hour and let MMA guys do the deal texasspider – - Max is taking Larry Merchants spot (when he retires) as Main boxing analyst at HBO – a position which will pay him more than any MMA gig he could get – I love MAx, but he’s staying put. I would love ESPN to cover MMA more – they have a 30 min (albeit online) show with Jon Anik, Franklin Mcneil, Ken FLO, and Frank Mir doing demos of BJJ subs. I do not want ESPN to cover it like a regular sport though – - there’s something about Bob Ley and company calling highlights of the fights………personally. Put the MMA Live show on for an hour and let MMA guys do the deal

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]]> By: Jackyl http://fiveouncesofpain.com/2008/09/07/the-time-has-arrived-for-espn-to-cover-mma-like-a-major-sport/comment-page-1/#comment-48606 Jackyl Mon, 08 Sep 2008 12:08:01 +0000 http://fiveouncesofpain.com/?p=6255#comment-48606 What about the fact that the MMA page on espn.com is buried deeper than Jimmy Hoffa? You have to click on boxing first, then MMA. Plus, most of the content is just pulled from Sherdog. They have very few articles from the actual espn base. As far as Disney is concerned. I don't think that is a factor. Disney owns a lot of production companies. There are even shows on ABC that don't exactly fit the "Disney" image. I think they are just hesitant because like a lot of people the brass is not educated. I do like the work they have done with MMA Live. Even though it is web only, I think it's a great show and a step in the right direction. Keep pushing Sam. We'll get the coverage we deserve one day. What about the fact that the MMA page on espn.com is buried deeper than Jimmy Hoffa? You have to click on boxing first, then MMA. Plus, most of the content is just pulled from Sherdog. They have very few articles from the actual espn base.

As far as Disney is concerned. I don’t think that is a factor. Disney owns a lot of production companies. There are even shows on ABC that don’t exactly fit the “Disney” image. I think they are just hesitant because like a lot of people the brass is not educated. I do like the work they have done with MMA Live. Even though it is web only, I think it’s a great show and a step in the right direction. Keep pushing Sam. We’ll get the coverage we deserve one day.

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]]> By: dohfil http://fiveouncesofpain.com/2008/09/07/the-time-has-arrived-for-espn-to-cover-mma-like-a-major-sport/comment-page-1/#comment-48578 dohfil Mon, 08 Sep 2008 04:31:37 +0000 http://fiveouncesofpain.com/?p=6255#comment-48578 Sam Sam Sam Do you know how big of an industry Hot Dogs are? What's wrong with you man? Nathans Hot Dogs sponsorship at ESPN for coverage for their annual hot dog eating contest alone finances ESPN Espanol for the year. Geez. MMA is not a real sport. j/k It's surreal at this point. Screw ESPN. Getting news from the Net and from Blogs will replace ESPN eventually. Sam Sam Sam

Do you know how big of an industry Hot Dogs are?

What’s wrong with you man?

Nathans Hot Dogs sponsorship at ESPN for coverage for their annual hot dog eating contest alone finances ESPN Espanol for the year.

Geez.

MMA is not a real sport.

j/k

It’s surreal at this point. Screw ESPN. Getting news from the Net and from Blogs will replace ESPN eventually.

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]]> By: Mike D http://fiveouncesofpain.com/2008/09/07/the-time-has-arrived-for-espn-to-cover-mma-like-a-major-sport/comment-page-1/#comment-48577 Mike D Mon, 08 Sep 2008 04:22:01 +0000 http://fiveouncesofpain.com/?p=6255#comment-48577 great article all great points. It sucks to see arena football getting more air time than MMA great article all great points. It sucks to see arena football getting more air time than MMA

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]]> By: el boxeo http://fiveouncesofpain.com/2008/09/07/the-time-has-arrived-for-espn-to-cover-mma-like-a-major-sport/comment-page-1/#comment-48573 el boxeo Mon, 08 Sep 2008 03:52:25 +0000 http://fiveouncesofpain.com/?p=6255#comment-48573 lol at boxing dying... reason why mma doesnt have independent coverage ala boxing with rafeal might be because there is boxing programing.... they have friday night fights ( which just celebrated 10 years) wed. night fights as well as on their classic espn have a bunch of boxing... i think it will take time but for right now if espn would have an independent jouralist that would cover mma, think about how "complicated" it would be for them to explain to the average viewer about fighters not in the ufc.. see in boxing there are no organizations , no boundaries... basically mma consists mainly in america of ufc/elite/or affliction .... i think it will happen eventually , give it like 3 or 4 years... it took forever to have yahoo have a semblance of boxing/mma on their website but now they do... and its not like the ufc wants unbiased opinions anyway.. for espn to have unbaised covering of mma would mean more shine on other orgs. and im sure the ufc wouldnt like that... and pretty much espn doesnt really think its that important to cover other events in mma other than ufc so might as well have those talking heads... lol at boxing dying…

reason why mma doesnt have independent coverage ala boxing with rafeal might be because there is boxing programing…. they have friday night fights ( which just celebrated 10 years) wed. night fights as well as on their classic espn have a bunch of boxing…

i think it will take time but for right now if espn would have an independent jouralist that would cover mma, think about how “complicated” it would be for them to explain to the average viewer about fighters not in the ufc.. see in boxing there are no organizations , no boundaries… basically mma consists mainly in america of ufc/elite/or affliction ….

i think it will happen eventually , give it like 3 or 4 years… it took forever to have yahoo have a semblance of boxing/mma on their website but now they do…

and its not like the ufc wants unbiased opinions anyway.. for espn to have unbaised covering of mma would mean more shine on other orgs. and im sure the ufc wouldnt like that… and pretty much espn doesnt really think its that important to cover other events in mma other than ufc so might as well have those talking heads…

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]]> By: Sabotage http://fiveouncesofpain.com/2008/09/07/the-time-has-arrived-for-espn-to-cover-mma-like-a-major-sport/comment-page-1/#comment-48572 Sabotage Mon, 08 Sep 2008 03:33:12 +0000 http://fiveouncesofpain.com/?p=6255#comment-48572 I personally don't mind the coverage. One thing at a time. Just glad to see MMA on ESPN at all! MMA Live is one of the best weekly shows out there. ESPN will bring the sport to another level. I personally don’t mind the coverage. One thing at a time. Just glad to see MMA on ESPN at all! MMA Live is one of the best weekly shows out there. ESPN will bring the sport to another level.

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]]> By: bonez2799 http://fiveouncesofpain.com/2008/09/07/the-time-has-arrived-for-espn-to-cover-mma-like-a-major-sport/comment-page-1/#comment-48569 bonez2799 Mon, 08 Sep 2008 03:12:14 +0000 http://fiveouncesofpain.com/?p=6255#comment-48569 Agree and disagree, Sam the Man. First off, ESPN IS sorely lacking in their coverage of MMA. But they do have SOME in-house employees, though one can argue that MMA Live is largely funded by UFC (this is NOT fact, just an observation from someone who doesn't know). Though MMA Live is funded by ESPN, it is still but an internet only show for now. It's popularity is rising along WITH the popularity of MMA in general on ESPN. The coverage has been STEADILY growing month after month and the most recent segment with Goldberg and Rogan is the most we've seen YET by them. I imagine their dependant and independant coverage will continue growing at the same rate it is now. Agree and disagree, Sam the Man.

First off, ESPN IS sorely lacking in their coverage of MMA. But they do have SOME in-house employees, though one can argue that MMA Live is largely funded by UFC (this is NOT fact, just an observation from someone who doesn’t know).

Though MMA Live is funded by ESPN, it is still but an internet only show for now. It’s popularity is rising along WITH the popularity of MMA in general on ESPN. The coverage has been STEADILY growing month after month and the most recent segment with Goldberg and Rogan is the most we’ve seen YET by them. I imagine their dependant and independant coverage will continue growing at the same rate it is now.

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]]> By: bonez2799 http://fiveouncesofpain.com/2008/09/07/the-time-has-arrived-for-espn-to-cover-mma-like-a-major-sport/comment-page-1/#comment-48567 bonez2799 Mon, 08 Sep 2008 03:07:42 +0000 http://fiveouncesofpain.com/?p=6255#comment-48567 Agree and disagree, Sam the Man. First off, ESPN IS sorely lacking in their coverage of MMA. But they do have SOME in-house employees, though one can argue that MMA Live is largely funded by UFC (this is NOT fact, just an observation from someone who doesn't know). Though MMA Live is funded by ESPN, it is still but an internet only show for now. It's popularity is rising along WITH the popularity of MMA in general on ESPN. The coverage has been STEADILY growing month after month and the most recent segment with Goldberg and Rogan is the most we've seen YET by them. We can use ELiteXC's last event (though perhaps unfairly) as an example of why mainstream sports media hesitates to cover MMA. The ratings fluctuate greatly, even on network TV. But overall and average ratings are growing for all MMA events, including attendance. As that grows, I firmly believe ESPN will be forced to take notice and coverage will grow, even independant coverage. It's funny...MMA is more popular than MOST of the aforementioned sports and yet it's popularity won't get another SERIOUS spike until ESPN pulls their heads out of their asses. Go figure. Agree and disagree, Sam the Man.

First off, ESPN IS sorely lacking in their coverage of MMA. But they do have SOME in-house employees, though one can argue that MMA Live is largely funded by UFC (this is NOT fact, just an observation from someone who doesn’t know).

Though MMA Live is funded by ESPN, it is still but an internet only show for now. It’s popularity is rising along WITH the popularity of MMA in general on ESPN. The coverage has been STEADILY growing month after month and the most recent segment with Goldberg and Rogan is the most we’ve seen YET by them.

We can use ELiteXC’s last event (though perhaps unfairly) as an example of why mainstream sports media hesitates to cover MMA. The ratings fluctuate greatly, even on network TV. But overall and average ratings are growing for all MMA events, including attendance. As that grows, I firmly believe ESPN will be forced to take notice and coverage will grow, even independant coverage.

It’s funny…MMA is more popular than MOST of the aforementioned sports and yet it’s popularity won’t get another SERIOUS spike until ESPN pulls their heads out of their asses. Go figure.

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]]> By: Steve http://fiveouncesofpain.com/2008/09/07/the-time-has-arrived-for-espn-to-cover-mma-like-a-major-sport/comment-page-1/#comment-48566 Steve Mon, 08 Sep 2008 02:56:22 +0000 http://fiveouncesofpain.com/?p=6255#comment-48566 well said. well said.

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]]> By: warcry http://fiveouncesofpain.com/2008/09/07/the-time-has-arrived-for-espn-to-cover-mma-like-a-major-sport/comment-page-1/#comment-48565 warcry Mon, 08 Sep 2008 02:55:56 +0000 http://fiveouncesofpain.com/?p=6255#comment-48565 Someone at ESPN still has a hard-on for boxing. MMA is the future like it or not. Not going away. From PPV sales and network tv viewship. Boxing is dying as we speak. A real investment by Espn would do it quickly. Someone is fighting this tooth and nail. I say let it die and usher in the new era. MMA!!! Someone at ESPN still has a hard-on for boxing. MMA is the future like it or not. Not going away. From PPV sales and network tv viewship. Boxing is dying as we speak. A real investment by Espn would do it quickly. Someone is fighting this tooth and nail. I say let it die and usher in the new era. MMA!!!

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]]> By: KTru http://fiveouncesofpain.com/2008/09/07/the-time-has-arrived-for-espn-to-cover-mma-like-a-major-sport/comment-page-1/#comment-48564 KTru Mon, 08 Sep 2008 02:45:58 +0000 http://fiveouncesofpain.com/?p=6255#comment-48564 Yeah right Dave The one-sided bias that has been shown here recently wouldn't bold well. (Of course if a fighter was a Yankee or Red Sox fan it would be welcomed by ESPN) I would agree that to bring MMA to the forefront of Sportscenter, it would need more faces that people know. With the very short list of Ex-fighters, or anyone that hasnt parted with bad-blood from the UFC, well there is my answer. What I am saying is even though MMA(specifically UFC) has grown more and more every day. It has not achieved the status of sports elite. Yeah right Dave
The one-sided bias that has been shown here recently wouldn’t bold well.
(Of course if a fighter was a Yankee or Red Sox fan it would be welcomed by ESPN)

I would agree that to bring MMA to the forefront of Sportscenter, it would need more faces that people know. With the very short list of Ex-fighters, or anyone that hasnt parted with bad-blood from the UFC, well there is my answer.

What I am saying is even though MMA(specifically UFC) has grown more and more every day. It has not achieved the status of sports elite.

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]]> By: warcry http://fiveouncesofpain.com/2008/09/07/the-time-has-arrived-for-espn-to-cover-mma-like-a-major-sport/comment-page-1/#comment-48563 warcry Mon, 08 Sep 2008 02:45:29 +0000 http://fiveouncesofpain.com/?p=6255#comment-48563 Someone at ESPN has a hard-on for boxing. Clearly MMA has captured the imagination of males 18-34. It is obvious in PPV sales let alone the viewship on Spike and other stations. If Espn showed a real investment in MMA than boxing would die very quickly. Someone is fighting this inevitability tooth and nail. I say let boxing die and usher in the new era. MMA!!! Someone at ESPN has a hard-on for boxing. Clearly MMA has captured the imagination of males 18-34. It is obvious in PPV sales let alone the viewship on Spike and other stations. If Espn showed a real investment in MMA than boxing would die very quickly. Someone is fighting this inevitability tooth and nail. I say let boxing die and usher in the new era. MMA!!!

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]]> By: Davey D http://fiveouncesofpain.com/2008/09/07/the-time-has-arrived-for-espn-to-cover-mma-like-a-major-sport/comment-page-1/#comment-48562 Davey D Mon, 08 Sep 2008 02:45:12 +0000 http://fiveouncesofpain.com/?p=6255#comment-48562 ESPN is really starting to warm up to MMA. They've had content on-line avilable for over a year now. MMA Live is growing in popularity and would do very well if shown on-air. It's a sure bet. Having a guest every week would be cool and give people a reason to tune it. With UFC events becoming the place to go (and be seen). The more and more coverage it will gain. This thing will get even bigger every year. If ESPN can get creative, they can find a way to present MMA in various format's just like the rest of the sport's they do and gain a huge following. It will happen just wait. ESPN is really starting to warm up to MMA. They’ve had content on-line avilable for over a year now. MMA Live is growing in popularity and would do very well if shown on-air. It’s a sure bet. Having a guest every week would be cool and give people a reason to tune it.

With UFC events becoming the place to go (and be seen). The more and more coverage it will gain. This thing will get even bigger every year. If ESPN can get creative, they can find a way to present MMA in various format’s just like the rest of the sport’s they do and gain a huge following. It will happen just wait.

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]]> By: JBAR http://fiveouncesofpain.com/2008/09/07/the-time-has-arrived-for-espn-to-cover-mma-like-a-major-sport/comment-page-1/#comment-48557 JBAR Mon, 08 Sep 2008 02:23:11 +0000 http://fiveouncesofpain.com/?p=6255#comment-48557 I couldn't agree more Sam. Thanks to all of you at 5oz. for the work you do, you make it possible for guys like me with a limited amount of free time to keep up with MMA. I couldn’t agree more Sam. Thanks to all of you at 5oz. for the work you do, you make it possible for guys like me with a limited amount of free time to keep up with MMA.

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]]> By: Razz http://fiveouncesofpain.com/2008/09/07/the-time-has-arrived-for-espn-to-cover-mma-like-a-major-sport/comment-page-1/#comment-48555 Razz Mon, 08 Sep 2008 02:07:25 +0000 http://fiveouncesofpain.com/?p=6255#comment-48555 It's getting better i think, there's the UFC 91 coverage across ESPN's shows, there was a blurb on SportsCenter last night about Evans KOing Liddell. It's a process, ESPN doesn't jump on emerging sports right away, unless that sport is on their network. It’s getting better i think, there’s the UFC 91 coverage across ESPN’s shows, there was a blurb on SportsCenter last night about Evans KOing Liddell. It’s a process, ESPN doesn’t jump on emerging sports right away, unless that sport is on their network.

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]]> By: b.w. http://fiveouncesofpain.com/2008/09/07/the-time-has-arrived-for-espn-to-cover-mma-like-a-major-sport/comment-page-1/#comment-48553 b.w. Mon, 08 Sep 2008 01:28:52 +0000 http://fiveouncesofpain.com/?p=6255#comment-48553 they did make the ticker last night, using sherdog rankings, but it only ran once that i saw. they also pronounced evans as ray-shad, give me a break. hopeully mma live will go on to t.v. soon and wake up bristol a bit. they did make the ticker last night, using sherdog rankings, but it only ran once that i saw. they also pronounced evans as ray-shad, give me a break. hopeully mma live will go on to t.v. soon and wake up bristol a bit.

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