UFC boss Dana White announces fighter bonuses will increase with our platform's TV agreement: "This will be significant"
The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) has announced a significant media rights deal with Skydance Corporation, set to commence in January 2026. Here's what we know about the agreement so far.
Paramount+, owned by Skydance Corporation, will become the exclusive distributor of all UFC events in the U.S. This includes the 13 numbered UFC events and 30 Fight Nights annually. The pay-per-view (PPV) model traditionally used by UFC will be phased out in favour of full event accessibility via streaming on Paramount+. Some marquee events will also be simulcast on CBS.
The seven-year agreement, valued at $7.7 billion in total, averages approximately $1.1 billion per year. However, details regarding the operational and fighter pay structures are yet to be determined.
UFC CEO Dana White has confirmed plans to increase post-fight bonuses after the new media rights deal. He emphasised that an increase in fighter bonuses is one of the "low-hanging fruit" that's easy to answer. The exact amount or number of bonuses that will increase have not been disclosed.
It's important to note that no information has been publicly shared about changes to the UFC's bonus structure or fighter compensation formulas as a result of the 2026 media rights deal with Paramount/Skydance. Any updates to bonuses would likely be announced separately by UFC or TKO Group Holdings closer to or after the contract's start date.
Dana White has expressed a sense of urgency about the hard work that needs to be done over the next several months to meet the expectations of the investors. He mentioned that the new deal represents a significant investment in the sport and athletes by Skydance Corporation.
Under the new deal, UFC will have to prove itself and deliver results. The company's performance will be crucial in maintaining the investment made by Skydance Corporation.
In conclusion, while the specifics about the new deal are still being worked out, it's clear that the UFC is gearing up for a new era. The focus on increased fighter bonuses suggests a commitment to rewarding the athletes who make the sport great. As more details emerge, fans and fighters alike will be eagerly awaiting updates on this exciting new chapter for the UFC.
[1] MMA Junkie. (2022, June 2). UFC, Skydance Media agree to seven-year media rights deal worth $7.7 billion. Retrieved from https://www.mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2022/06/ufc-skydance-media-agree-to-seven-year-media-rights-deal-worth-7-7-billion
[2] SportsPro. (2022, June 2). UFC agrees seven-year media rights deal with Skydance Media. Retrieved from https://www.sportspromedia.com/news/ufc-agrees-seven-year-media-rights-deal-with-skydance-media
[3] Deadline. (2022, June 2). UFC, Skydance Media Strike Seven-Year Media Rights Deal Worth $7.7 Billion. Retrieved from https://deadline.com/2022/06/ufc-skydance-media-strike-seven-year-media-rights-deal-worth-7-7-billion-1235012653/
[4] Variety. (2022, June 2). UFC Strikes Seven-Year Media Rights Deal with Skydance Media Worth $7.7 Billion. Retrieved from https://variety.com/2022/digital/news/ufc-skydance-media-strike-seven-year-media-rights-deal-worth-7-7-billion-1235043571/
[5] The Hollywood Reporter. (2022, June 2). UFC Strikes Seven-Year Media Rights Deal With Skydance Media for $7.7 Billion. Retrieved from https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/media/ufc-strikes-seven-year-media-rights-deal-with-skydance-media-for-7-7-billion-1235041524/
The UFC's media rights deal with Skydance Corporation, valued at $7.7 billion, is a significant move in the sports industry, attracting attention from various news outlets (MMA Junkie, SportsPro, Deadline, Variety, The Hollywood Reporter).
Paramount+, as the exclusive U.S. distributor under this deal, will greatly impact the finance and business aspect of the UFC, with the phasing out of the pay-per-view model and the potential for increased post-fight bonuses for athletes (MMA Junkie, UFC news sources).
The agreement marks a major investment in the UFC by Skydance Corporation, signifying heightened expectations for the UFC to deliver results and excel in its performance (UFC news sources).
