Comments on: Dana White says UFC “not close” to a network deal http://fiveouncesofpain.com/2008/11/17/dana-white-says-ufc-not-close-to-a-network-deal/ Your Destination for Insider MMA News and Opinion Mon, 13 Feb 2012 03:49:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.4 By: Mike http://fiveouncesofpain.com/2008/11/17/dana-white-says-ufc-not-close-to-a-network-deal/comment-page-1/#comment-57328 Mike Tue, 18 Nov 2008 03:23:58 +0000 http://fiveouncesofpain.com/?p=9013#comment-57328 Rick, I think Dana is running a strong business model. The fighters are not making the type of money top tier boxers are, but MMA is only really 12 years old and its popularity is only in its infancy. Affliction may throw big money at its fighters, but will it have staying power? Dana and Zuffa have to look at the long term. I hope that when sons are watching MMA in their 20's and 30's they will see fighters making the kind of money the Floyd's and Oscar's are making in boxing. That cannot happen now, there is not enough money behind the sport. The UFC is looking decades ahead and want to be around for a while. Affliction is hoping that by throwing big money at fighters they will be able to compete with UFC now, but will they be able to do that long term? I don't think so. As Dana said, "These companies are bleeding money." And lets not forget, the money paid to the fighters that is reported is not the only money they are earning: bonuses, PPV percentages, endorsements, advertisements for their gyms, etc. I do realize that fighters need to be paid more, but not so much that the company folds such as IFL and Elite XC. Rick, I think Dana is running a strong business model. The fighters are not making the type of money top tier boxers are, but MMA is only really 12 years old and its popularity is only in its infancy. Affliction may throw big money at its fighters, but will it have staying power? Dana and Zuffa have to look at the long term. I hope that when sons are watching MMA in their 20′s and 30′s they will see fighters making the kind of money the Floyd’s and Oscar’s are making in boxing. That cannot happen now, there is not enough money behind the sport. The UFC is looking decades ahead and want to be around for a while. Affliction is hoping that by throwing big money at fighters they will be able to compete with UFC now, but will they be able to do that long term? I don’t think so. As Dana said, “These companies are bleeding money.” And lets not forget, the money paid to the fighters that is reported is not the only money they are earning: bonuses, PPV percentages, endorsements, advertisements for their gyms, etc. I do realize that fighters need to be paid more, but not so much that the company folds such as IFL and Elite XC.

]]> By: Rick Conroy http://fiveouncesofpain.com/2008/11/17/dana-white-says-ufc-not-close-to-a-network-deal/comment-page-1/#comment-57305 Rick Conroy Mon, 17 Nov 2008 21:48:28 +0000 http://fiveouncesofpain.com/?p=9013#comment-57305 Dana White has done a great job with getting the sport recognition and promoting the UFC organization. But like the Raiders Al Davis or WWE’s Vince McMahon, has become too influential in the fights that his organization is willing promote while legally tying the hands of fighters with contractual obligations. This sport will sustain itself with or without Mr. White. Affliction is a more fighter friendly organization that will shift the paradigm of this power struggle from management to the back fighters. The people who are throwing money at the UFC are the fans. Fans who will throw the same money at another organization that will pay great fighters well, without limiting their careers with litigation. Dana White has done a great job with getting the sport recognition and promoting the UFC organization. But like the Raiders Al Davis or WWE’s Vince McMahon, has become too influential in the fights that his organization is willing promote while legally tying the hands of fighters with contractual obligations.

This sport will sustain itself with or without Mr. White. Affliction is a more fighter friendly organization that will shift the paradigm of this power struggle from management to the back fighters.

The people who are throwing money at the UFC are the fans. Fans who will throw the same money at another organization that will pay great fighters well, without limiting their careers with litigation.

]]> By: Jester http://fiveouncesofpain.com/2008/11/17/dana-white-says-ufc-not-close-to-a-network-deal/comment-page-1/#comment-57302 Jester Mon, 17 Nov 2008 21:39:41 +0000 http://fiveouncesofpain.com/?p=9013#comment-57302 Andrew, I feel that you are giving the commentating of Mike Goldberg short shrift. While he is not the most knowledgeable, he does deliver a clean, clear call and provides a little sanity to counterpoint Joe Rogan. Andrew, I feel that you are giving the commentating of Mike Goldberg short shrift. While he is not the most knowledgeable, he does deliver a clean, clear call and provides a little sanity to counterpoint Joe Rogan.

]]> By: Andrew Hincks http://fiveouncesofpain.com/2008/11/17/dana-white-says-ufc-not-close-to-a-network-deal/comment-page-1/#comment-57288 Andrew Hincks Mon, 17 Nov 2008 19:53:41 +0000 http://fiveouncesofpain.com/?p=9013#comment-57288 Everyone on here always talks like they are 100% sure with the info they are talking about. Its all speculation. My thoughts are that Dana is waiting for a Network that will let the UFC have production rights. Currently CBS, NBC, and Fox will not give them production rights. I agree with Dana. Look at the UFC broadcasts, although not the best work on TV, they were produced a hell of alot better than what CBS/Showtime (ProElite) and NBC (Strikeforce) has done for MMA broadcasts. Dana white should hold off until he gets production rights, then do something on network tv, with Frank Mir and Joe Rogan commentating. Hell Yeah Everyone on here always talks like they are 100% sure with the info they are talking about. Its all speculation. My thoughts are that Dana is waiting for a Network that will let the UFC have production rights. Currently CBS, NBC, and Fox will not give them production rights. I agree with Dana. Look at the UFC broadcasts, although not the best work on TV, they were produced a hell of alot better than what CBS/Showtime (ProElite) and NBC (Strikeforce) has done for MMA broadcasts. Dana white should hold off until he gets production rights, then do something on network tv, with Frank Mir and Joe Rogan commentating. Hell Yeah

]]> By: Mike Wolfe http://fiveouncesofpain.com/2008/11/17/dana-white-says-ufc-not-close-to-a-network-deal/comment-page-1/#comment-57287 Mike Wolfe Mon, 17 Nov 2008 19:42:00 +0000 http://fiveouncesofpain.com/?p=9013#comment-57287 Maybe he's just talking off the cuff, or maybe he's sending a message to a specific network. With Dana you can't tell. Maybe he’s just talking off the cuff, or maybe he’s sending a message to a specific network. With Dana you can’t tell.

]]> By: Davey D http://fiveouncesofpain.com/2008/11/17/dana-white-says-ufc-not-close-to-a-network-deal/comment-page-1/#comment-57273 Davey D Mon, 17 Nov 2008 18:40:34 +0000 http://fiveouncesofpain.com/?p=9013#comment-57273 Muta: so the UFC needs a network television deal in order to succeed...not a cable deal, but a network deal. So how did they get this far? They will fail should they continue with Spike and PPV? I think not. Zuffa can dictate when, who and what kind of business they want to do with anyone. Just accept it and unless you're employed buy them directly...how do you know they NEED a network television deal? It'd nice but to say they'll fail otherwise is completely ludicrous. Muta: so the UFC needs a network television deal in order to succeed…not a cable deal, but a network deal. So how did they get this far? They will fail should they continue with Spike and PPV? I think not.

Zuffa can dictate when, who and what kind of business they want to do with anyone. Just accept it and unless you’re employed buy them directly…how do you know they NEED a network television deal? It’d nice but to say they’ll fail otherwise is completely ludicrous.

]]> By: Robert http://fiveouncesofpain.com/2008/11/17/dana-white-says-ufc-not-close-to-a-network-deal/comment-page-1/#comment-57272 Robert Mon, 17 Nov 2008 18:28:24 +0000 http://fiveouncesofpain.com/?p=9013#comment-57272 Dana saying "if someone wants to do the right deal with us, we'll do it with them.Spike did." sounds really stupid. You can't compare being on CBS or NBC with being on a cable channel that has Manswers, the Scream Awards, and World's Wildest Car Chases. Dana saying “if someone wants to do the right deal with us, we’ll do it with them.Spike did.” sounds really stupid. You can’t compare being on CBS or NBC with being on a cable channel that has Manswers, the Scream Awards, and World’s Wildest Car Chases.

]]> By: Muta http://fiveouncesofpain.com/2008/11/17/dana-white-says-ufc-not-close-to-a-network-deal/comment-page-1/#comment-57263 Muta Mon, 17 Nov 2008 17:50:08 +0000 http://fiveouncesofpain.com/?p=9013#comment-57263 For the UFC to get bigger, they'll need the major TV deal. There isn't a spectator sport worth anything that doesn't have a quality TV deal. For the UFC to get bigger, they’ll need the major TV deal. There isn’t a spectator sport worth anything that doesn’t have a quality TV deal.

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