Strikeforce Strikes Deal With NBC
Growing MMA promotion Strikeforce and NBC are reportedly on the verge of announcing a major partnership, according to MMA Junkie. Details of the expected venture are slowly coming out, but here is what we know so far:
“As part of the NBC deal, fight footage from past Strikeforce events will likely be shown in “highlights” shows, not unlike the Pride Fighting Championships shows that currently air on Fox Sports Net. The first Strikeforce show is expected to air in mid-April.
The program will likely air on late Saturday nights (early Sunday mornings) either immediately after or soon after the hit NBC series, “Saturday Night Live.”
Although unconfirmed, there’s speculation that the deal could possibly lead to live or, at the very least, tape-delayed Strikeforce events airing on NBC.
The show will apparently be patterned after the “PRIDE Fighting Championships” shows that air on FOX Sports Net and the “UFC Unleashed” episodes that broadcast on Spike TV. However, the Strikeforce shows will likely also include fighter interviews with the organization’s better-known personalities, such as Frank Shamrock, Cung Le, Gilbert Melendez and Nick Thomson — fighters that have been significant draws in California, where Strikeforce is headquartered. One source said the shows could also “extensively” promote Strikeforce pay-per-views and other upcoming live events.
Essentially, the shows will introduce viewers to the organization — rather than just show past fight footage.”
If all of this MMA-network talk sounds familiar, it’s probably because ProElite just announced their own network deal with CBS last month. Though the nature of the CBS-ProElite agreement differs from that of the new Strikeforce-NBC deal, it still boils down to one very obvious fact: Smaller, lesser known MMA promotions which are definitely not the UFC, are scoring some type of network agreement. Meanwhile, the best Dana White has to offer in the wake of rival MMA network-deals is a Budweiser sponsorship. Not to take anything away from the Budweiser deal, which will definitely benefit the UFC from a number of angles, but it doesn’t necessarily get the biggest MMA organization any closer to being on network television. The report goes on to explain that while the UFC had been in the mix regarding a network agreement, nothing tangible had ever come very close to fruition:
“…Talks between the UFC and NBC never really got off the ground. According to those sources, the UFC wasn’t interested in a late-night timeslot, and additionally, NBC executives “weren’t too keen” on working with UFC president Dana White….
Prior to the EliteXC and Strikeforce deals, the UFC had been in talks with both HBO and CBS, but those deals fell apart when White reportedly wasn’t willing to concede creative control. During a pre-UFC 82 press conference, White said he wasn’t willing to make a “bad deal” when asked about the failed negotiations.”
So, has Dana White already soured his chances at getting the UFC on a major television network? I can’t say he has because you never know who will come out of the woodwork in the future. But it is entirely possible that once rival MMA promotions start getting their broadcasts out on major airwaves, some day people might stop immediately associating MMA with the UFC. And believe me, losing that sort of branding association could spell serious trouble for the promotion’s current lock on the industry.
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Stupid, won’t watch it. Who the hell watches snl, or is even home watching tv that late on a Saturday period? The only time I ever watch tv on saturday night is the UFC ppv or sports. Glad Dana didn’t want that deal.
Personally, I respect the fact Dana White is not selling the name of the UFC just to make a quick buck. UFC is so strong that they don’t need the major networks, the major networks need them. Look at what time NBC may be airing the strikeforce show. Would that really help the UFC? My answer is no. EliteXC is banking on a streetfighter to build it’s brand. That worked back when the UFC first started, but look at the multiple talents of fighters today. These other promotions are no match for the UFC. Besides, the UFC takes the best talent from around the world, which means they’ll eventually take the best talent from these other organizations.
I wonder if the first company Donald Trump over took felt the same way you 2 do before it happened. what makes you think that a company a network is needed by those who own networks. oh i forgot dana is smarter than those who own cbs or nbc. give me a break goes back to the fact of ufc fans not mma fans. by the way the ufc as of late has missing out on some top talent because of dana but he is not selling the ufc. maybe not to networks but for his own pride it’s already sold out.
for now the ufc is the biggest but that all could change in time. it happened before to the ufc when pride came out on Fuji tv and skypefect tv it only took them 4 ppv to topple the ufc back in 1997 now i am well aware of the ufc buying pride last year but that was not be popularity but because of a pride fc television network loss of Fuji tv that only left pride on ppv only satellite and if you remember thats what the ufc was like for the better part of the late 90’s but my point being with all these new org’s coming out hdnet fights, Strikeforce ,EliteXC it only takes a couple great matches to get the publics attention then money starts to flow in and they start making new mma stars. im not saying the ufc is going down anytime soon that would be stupid but a couple of bad deals could put the ufc out of the invincible name it is today.
ufc is in very good place on spike. It air unleashed, countdowns an TUF as as well as fight nights. MMA has seen a majior push in recent years and if the market is over saturated only die hard fans will remain. By not selling ufc maintains that it is good enough for people to pay to see it which by the way it is.
A major network deal is really what the UFC needs to make it in bigtime sports. After all, NBC and CBS have been in the fight game since well.. oh hold on..oh that’s right – the major networks haven’t covered professional fighting in more than 25 years – but they really know their programming – oh yeah it does seem that they pull just about their entire line-up every year. Could it be that the major networks really don’t care about product and are prepared to throw themselves on top of anything that stands erect with greenbacks? Well whatever – the UFC just can’t make it without a major network deal. Ha ha ha.
Tim D, I am an mma fan, I’m all for UFC getting a major network deal, but If it had a deal to show at midnight I would not watch it. They already have a show on upn or wciu here in chicago that I never watch because it’s on so late. That was a bad deal all around. I don’t beliee any deal is worth it unless they have live fights and a prime slot.
I think this will have little affect on MMA overal. The largest difference will be that Proelite and Strikeforce have a very good negotiating point with UFC fighters that are disgruntled. Everyone know that Tito and others love the publicity. To say you will make some amount of money and be on NBC or CBS every other month. That’s leverage that Dana doesn’t have. The bigger fighters these orgs get, the more money they draw, then the more they can pay these big names that are fed up with Dana. You could see a shift in the MMA powers, but it will take a few years to really be felt. I like the idea of free shows that rival the $50 shows that Dana puts on. I wouldn’t mind saving $600 a year.
When it comes to mma Dana now more the the Pres. of NBC and CBS. They put on shows like My Daddy Can Eat More Crap Then Your Daddy and CSI:El Paso. Dana is looking long term not looking for quick cash. The Networks are going to want to pick the fights and that would be bad for the fans and the UFC. Kimbo Vs. Ken come on who really wants to see that fight. The next UFC Fight Night will have better ratings then ALL of the Elite and Strikeforce cards conbind. Dana is the man and has MMA what it is today and don’t forget it!
JustJoe, I never thought the ufc had to have a network deal. I’m just saying that acting like they are invisible would be like walking around with your eyes closed eventually your going to run into something bigger than you.
WM,cbs or nbc has more money than the ufc and let us not forget we live in a world were money talks. They could easily buy spike or something and really hurt the ufc. Also these so called new fans the ufc says they have to get, what are they going to watch a free show or one that cost 45 bucks. also lets talk about hard core fans. Dana has basicly said he does not care what we want, he is letting talent go missing great talent because of his ego. Lets see oh yea also by bringing in a freak like brock lesnar as though the ufc is a circus and then paying this freak $250k to loss basicly. I went back and looked at matt hughs’ fight pay and I could not find were he was paid that much, not saying he never was but I couldn’t find it. So if the ufc does lose the talent that they have a chance of losing this year the hardcore fans may leave with them, if for no other reason than the fact that dana acts like he does not remember what fans got them where they are, hardcore fans not wwe fans no offense intended. The ufc could also very easily be devastated simply by losing their contract with spike, also who do you think that bud. would say is more important ufc, cbs or nbc in other words things could get very nasty for the ufc very fast.
To sum all this up, the ufc is not invisible…
Eddyr92806, dana might marry you if you ask I mean it sounds as though you have a real crush on him.
Man Tim that was funny…may i should shoot back with a “you mama” or tell you that you smell like a fart. Man you should wright for snl or may be work on the next will ferrell movie. Man i hope that one day i can post with as much wit and grace as you do Tim D. I mean “dana might marry you if you ask I mean it sounds as though you have a real crush on him” i haven’t seen righting like this since the 3rd grade. Good job Tim D. keep up the good work!
PS Tim D. CBS already owned spike and then sold it in 2005. So i dont think tha Viacon is going to want to be bought by an other Network Channel.
all i am saying is money talks, so if we get out of fairy land reality is we know who would have the last laugh. have you ever heard of corporate take over, thats kinda like what the ufc has been doing to companies who were not as powerful as them. now dana’s not pushing around fighters of whom he has been able to until lately. know there’s cuba, cbs, nbc, and proelite simply and only because their deal is fair. some of these zuffa does not want to go to war with.
I do like the ufc not because of the brand but because of the fighters. i could careless about the brand. i don’t buy ufc apparel i want something about the fighters, that’s who matters to me. I don’t care where they fight the brand does not make the fighter, the fighter makes the brand. Hence tito ortis, ken shamrock. I read post about these “smaller organizations like who cares, the fighters suck, they can’t make it in ufc, if i haven’t heard of him i don’t want to see him” then 2months latter he comes to ufc he wins, then not only do those watch their next post is like that dude is great he is going to kick butt in the ufc. If your a fan just of the ufc go work for dana or zuffa, but if your a mma fan lets get real and get behind these fighters because we watch because of them. Not because of the ufc, strikeforce, proelite, not hdnet nor any other company. THAT’S REAL FANS. When the show comes on you watch it because of the fighters not the glitter so who is this really about. NO OFFENSE INTENDED. but if you find it offensive who cares!!!!!
Tim D, thanks for taking the time to educate us all on the inner workings of corporate America. It’s rare that an individual with extensive boardroom knowledge and obviously busy lifestyle would be willing to go back and forth with us on line to ensure our knowledge of big business and the fight game is up to date. You’ve really left no stone unturned and in fact I’ve taken that knowledge and parlayed into an interview over at ABC, who apparently are huge on mma. Tentatively we’ve agreed to a three fight deal to be aired on Fridays @ 7:30 a.m. in 2008 and the fighters will be local preschoolers. ABC said they’ve really been struggling to capture that particular demographic and what’s more is young mothers have reported a lack of interest in mma beecause it’s on too late at night and they have to get up early in the morning. When I shook the hands of the execs over at ABC all I kept thinking was this never would’ve happened if it were not for TimD – thanks again dude – you rock!
Thank you, thought you needed a little help. By the way is that the best you have, also my lifestyle consist for the past 10 months of being paralyzed from chest down, left without the use of my fingers. I also owned and ran my own business for 12 years before this. Thats neither here nor there I type with one finger, so what I say is intended to cause a conversation or even debate. I always worked 12 to 16hrs a day, so this is what I do to take up my time plus I enjoy it. This is not meant to be personal, but dig into your minds to see your points of views. We all know when you step on someones toes you find out where they really stand. The last thing I said in the prev. post is the most imp. Write something that makes me think about something other than kids stories. I can tell your smart make me think.
WM’s 10 things to think about:
1)Attacking the ideas of others with insults and condescension is generally taken as personal and is open to considerable misinterpretation and often rewuires requalification.
This is a brave new world in prize fighting history. The closest comparison to a credible business model is boxing and boxing is on its knees. Furthermore, boxing has always been sports most corrupt business model where fighters were and are regularly swindled out of their earnings by promoters, managers and trainers.
2)Dana White appears guilty of ego driven, insecure behaviour. Meaning he becomes hostile towards those he sees as adversarial. In a position of power he doesn’t need to behave that way and it is perceived negatively by most audiences especially such a public audience. The moment the Fertitas believe he has become bad for business, Dana will be quietly removed.
3)Capturing a coveted demographic second to only the NFL in seven years time is stupifying. This is what the major networks and every other start up league are trying to jump on. The misperception is that mma is all about the fighters. If that were the case nobody would have the hate on for the UFC because everyone would arguably be doing just as well. Success of this proportion is never about just one thing, it’s multi-faceted and the UFC have mastered most of these facets.
4)The only way I see Spike dissolving a contract with the UFC (that was recently renewed) is if Spike were bought out and an attempt was made to rework an contract unfavourable to the UFC. And what value does Spike have without the UFC? – more CSI anyone?
5) It’s a shame that fighters are getting paid the low sums that they are today but many of them are working off old six and eight fight contracts that take them back as far as 2005 or 2006. The fighters at the time, Randy Couture included, were without the forsight or negotiating leverage to anticipate the UFC becoming a money-making beast. If I’m the owner and my business is finally prospering how do I justify renegotiating as many as one hundred contracts? Everyone has to wait their turn.
6)Disguntled employees come and go. You can’t please everyone, but many of those fighters who have left and are making better money in other organizations do not represent the drawing power in the UFC that they do in other leagues. And the value that they have in other leagues is largely a result of UFC exposure. Do you really see Nick Diaz, Robbie Lawler or Tito Ortiz wearing title belts in the UFC?
7) None of the recent corporate interest in mma comes from a love of mma and as a result the quality of the events and production level will always be suspect. Inside MMA looks great in Hi-def but it’s pretty rinky-dink on its best day.
9)It’s easy to assume that large networks with deep pockets will always provide the best product. The audience will ultimately decide what they want and duplicates will be pulled in a heart beat if the audience share is not able there. Remember that high-end Ray Liotta series that was supposed to compete with Law and Order a few years back – pulled after three weeks. Time Warner also has some deep pockets but that didn’t keep them from selling off their wrestling show to the WWE.
10) The scramble with the major networks and MMA right now may also have to do with the belief that whoever can make this Fedor vs. Couture fight happen will hold the key to the future of MMA. If it’s the UFC then they distance themselves further from the pack and if it’s anyone else they establish themselves with immediate credibility, a monster pay-per-view, and a belief from the community of fighters that they have found a safe place to do business.
p.s. TimD Yeah… that stuff about meeting with ABC and booking preschoolers was the best I had.
WM, thank you that makes me think, and by the way I agree with almost everything you said. What you said about spike is right it would not benefit them even if there was a corp. take over. I was just saying dana has a problem of spouting off at the mouth, before he thinks. That could cause problems that mma does not need. The ufc can’t fight all these guys so these shows are a good thing for these fighters. If we as real fans degrade these shows our actions could very well influence new fans who don’t know if what’s being said is true or not. Some of these comments are not facts but opinions, everyone is entitled to their opinion, but sometimes it does more harm than we realize. By the way maybe you got the wrong impression from my post but I only personally attacked one person. I also liked your last post it shows as someone who is intelligent and someone who knows what he’s talking about. That I like whether we agree or not, so I call a truce.