The UFC has found its new home on television, and it’s with sporting giants ESPN.
The American conglomerate has bid and attained the UFC’s entire distribution package, taking over from Fox Sports. It comes just a couple of weeks after the two companies announced an online deal in which ESPN’s streaming service ESPN+ would host 15 live UFC events for a reported $150 millon a year over five years.
This new deal comes, as reported by the Sports Business Daily, after ESPN out bid Fox Sports with a total of $1.5 billion over five years. That figure includes the aforementioned $150 million.
The television deal will include including 10 full events, 12 pay-per-view preliminary cards, and a further five events for ESPN+.
While not outwardly confirming the deal, UFC president Dana White appeared to reference the news on his social media, posting his trademark smiley face.
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— Dana White (@danawhite) May 23, 2018
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