By As UFC prepares to negotiate a new broadcast deal in 2025, it finds itself in a favorable position, largely thanks to the NBA’s recent landmark agreements. In July, the NBA secured 11-year contracts worth $77 billion with NBC, ESPN/ABC, and Amazon Prime Video, effective from 2025. These deals remove the NBA from the market for over a decade, setting the stage for UFC to secure a substantial TV contract once its current deal with ESPN expires.
Unique Opportunity for UFC
The current broadcast rights landscape sees major sports leagues like the NFL, college football, MLB, and NHL locked into long-term deals. This leaves UFC as the only major sports property available for a new broadcast deal in the near future. NBC Sports president Rick Cordella highlighted this scarcity, noting the limited options available, which positions UFC advantageously for a lucrative deal.
Close Ties with ESPN
UFC has enjoyed a productive partnership with ESPN, which also handles its pay-per-view broadcasts. However, ESPN has already committed significant funds to other sports, including an 11-year, $28.8 billion deal with the NBA. Despite ESPN’s strong interest in retaining UFC, the network’s spending capacity might be limited.
Emerging Competitors
Amazon Prime Video has become a formidable player in sports broadcasting, securing NFL’s Thursday Night Football and an NBA package worth $20 billion over 11 years. Jay Marine, Amazon Prime Video’s global head of sports, has expressed interest in acquiring UFC rights, recognizing the promotion’s value as the only major sports deal available soon.
Other Potential Bidders
Warner Bros. Discovery, currently suing the NBA over matching rights, might also pursue UFC rights, along with streaming services like Netflix and Apple. Apple’s considerable financial resources and previous sports broadcast investments could make it a competitive bidder for UFC.
Advantages of UFC
UFC’s year-round event model provides consistent programming, making it an attractive asset for networks aiming to retain subscribers year-round. This model aligns well with NBC’s strategy of using sports to maintain subscriber engagement on Peacock, its streaming service.
Future Negotiations
With several high-profile networks and streaming services potentially interested, UFC is poised to negotiate a highly lucrative broadcast deal. The promotion’s embedded and growing audience, coupled with its unique position in the market, suggests a promising financial future for UFC’s broadcast rights.
