MONEY TALKS
Dana White on brink of signing ‘biggest contract in UFC history’ and will ‘make a boatload’ from deal
The deal is set to be the biggest in UFC history
DANA WHITE and the UFC are set to make a "boatload" of money when the promotion strikes a new TV deal, it's been claimed.
Mixed martial arts' premier promotion's current broadcast deal with ESPN is set to expire at the end of the year.
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It's understood several outlets are interested in acquiring their North American TV rights, including Amazon and Apple TV.
Netflix, who broadcast Mike Tyson's controversial crossover clash with Jake Paul last November, are also keen on becoming the new home of the Ultimate Fighting Championship.
The global streaming service has already acquired the rights to the WWE, which is owned by the UFC's parent company TKO.
And according to veteran MMA journalist Ariel Helwani, they are serious contenders to land the much sought-after rights.
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During a recent episode of , he said: “Oh yeah there is a strong possibility [of Netflix getting the rights]."
The UFC inked a five-year broadcast deal with ESPN worth a whopping £1.2BILLION ($1.5billion) broadcast deal with ESPN back in 2018.
Their next deal will be worth significantly more than that given the company is now worth a staggering £9BILLION ($11.3billion).
Helwani said: "The biggest story for me in 2025 as far as the business of MMA is what happens to the UFC’s TV contract here in the United States.
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"Because their deal with ESPN Plus is up at the end of the year.
"And they’re going to make a boatload, it is going to be the biggest deal in UFC history.”
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SunSport understands ESPN have opted to let their exclusive renegotiation period with the UFC, which lapses on April 15, expire.
The sports network, however, still maintains an interest in renewing its partnership with the organisation, which could opt to ink multiple broadcast rights deals.
UFC supremo White said last summer: “Our rights deal is going to be a big deal coming up here. Who knows?
"We could end up like the NBA and the NFL where we end up on multiple channels instead of just one. … It’s all moving and changing so quickly."
He continued: “I could definitely see (the UFC on multiple networks).
"We have a lot of different levels of fights, whether it’s Contender Series, Fight Nights or pay-per-views.
"They could end up on multiple platforms."
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