Spike TV and Randy Couture Agree to Multi-Year Deal
By Chris Leslie on January 29, 2013
In a surprising move, UFC Hall of Famer Randy Couture has signed a multi-year deal with Spike TV to appear in multiple projects for the cable channel. As part of the agreement with the Viacom property, Couture will also appear in Bellator MMA’s upcoming reality series. SI.com first reported the story earlier today with a press release confirming the move.
Spike TV is expected to announce the deal next Tuesday in Los Angeles, California at press conference featuring Couture and Spike TV president Kevin Kay. The conference is expected to reveal what other ventures the former fighter will be involved in.
SI.com reports that the deal was struck with the UFC legend in December, much to the chagrin of UFC president Dana White. This explains why Couture left the studio analyst role with Fox between the UFC’s December and January shows on the network. Couture is no stranger to disagreement with the UFC, after a contract disagreement lead the two entities to end up in the court system prior to Couture’s subsequent return and eventual retirement with the Zuffa LLC. entity.
The announcement comes on the heels of some vitriolic comments following UFC on Fox 6 from UFC president Dana White towards Spike TV, labeling them “arrogant” for believing they had any hand in the UFC’s rise to popularity.
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I wonder if Hughes getting exec position was to keep Viacom from signing him and using his ufc mileage to promote their Bellator product?
“UFC president Dana White towards Spike TV, labeling them “arrogant” for believing they had any hand in the UFC’s rise to popularity.”
Aha!
The whole “I know you are but what am I” strategy!
How very clever
I just don’t get this guy sometimes. Why damage your reputation with a company that would basically have your back for the rest of your life? Burning bridges.
Because the other company offered you more money to be with them, and that company has your main sponsor as their main sponsor.
And since FOX wants to shuffle the UFC off to the cable version of the boonies(Fuel and Speed becomming Fox sports one and two), Bellator will become more and more marketable. Granted they have a long way to go to try and beat the UFC.
I agree, Spike and Bellator are making the right moves now. Frankly, I find it humorous how Dana White makes everything personal and denies credit to anyone but himself and Zuffa.
The Fox deal is looking more and more like a longterm mistake…
I like Randy, and i now watch Bellator live every week…good fights. I guess i watch Bellator more than UFC now.