When WME-IMG purchased the UFC for more than $4 billion last year, one of the biggest reasons was a potential windfall in the UFC’s next television deal. Live sports is premium content and the UFC generates hours of it on a nearly weekly basis.
When the promotion’s deal with FOX is up at the end of next year, there are expected to be a number of suitors. Count Showtime as one of them, according to network executive Stephen Espinoza.
Espinoza told Ariel Helwani on Monday’s edition of The MMA Hour that Showtime would certainly reach out to the UFC about being one of its broadcast partners.