http://mmajunkie.com/ Wow, this is MAJOR news. A huge move for EliteXC. Somewhere right now, Dana White is scratching his head, wondering what the hell just happened. TFK
He'll get over it ....anyway,people who don't have cable gets an opportunity to watch MMA,Props to EliteXC for pulling this off. EDIT: I also want to add that the UFC's strong arm/wants to control everything tactics will never get them a major network deal...hell the NBA,NFL exc don't have full control of TV production so who the hell is the UFC to demand such things?
almost everyone has cable now and ufc is on spike, plus one of the networks had the mma fighting league so this is not the first time at all.
Wow. Boxing couldn't even get a whiff from CBS. I guess those 60 minutes segments got someone thinking.
There is a world of difference between a major network like CBS, and a cable network like Spike or UPN. TFK
Isn't it fun to watch EliteXC do everything right while the leader in MMA, UFC, is doing everything wrong? Dana better be careful before EliteXC start putting out a better product consistently.
I think saying UFC is doing 'everything wrong' is a hell of a reach. Especially with cards like UFC 84, 85 and UFN 13 coming up. TFK
Well that's why I mentioned UFC still putting out a better product. It just seems to me that everything beyond the fight cards is mishandled.
if, If, IF this Merger is SUCCESSFUL, then Another Major Network will Do Business w/UFC Eventually... Even to REED's Novice MMA Eye's, the UFC has BETTER Fighters & the Soooooner Fans Become Acquainted w/MMA, the Sooooooner they'll Gravitate Towards the BETTER Product... The "Street Certified" Ratings was the EXCEPTION, Not the Rule...Other than a Kimbo vs Ken Shamrock Fight, EliteXC Doesn't have Guys w/the NAME RECOGNITION to Consistently Produce those Type of Ratings... REED
Again, that's a reach. They signed an extension with Spike TV. They signed a major deal with Yahoo which will air UFC PPV's online, which will be a huge boost to their international buyrates. They are being covered by such mainstream outlets as ESPN, USA Today, MSNBC, etc, etc. Not everything is going as the UFC wants, but to say that everything outside of the fights is being mishandled is just wrong. TFK
More good news for the UFC announced today... http://www.ufc.com/index.cfm?fa=news.detail&gid=10512 That's a HUGE deal for the UFC. TFK
I'm sure...especially if EliteXC is succesful on CBS...and it has already been hugely succesful on showtime...that the UFC will get a deal with HBO and\or a major network. Network TV is all about copycats. If something is succesful, there are 30 clones of it the next day. There was Survivor, it was a hit, and all of a sudden we had a zillion reality shows. Who Wants to be a Millionaire was a hit, all of a sudden prime time is full of game shows. American Idol was huge, now there are countless 'talent competition' shows on TV. If EliteXC does huge numbers for CBS, expect NBC, ABC and Fox to try and get a piece of the action. And I don't blame UFC for wanting control of their product. They built it up and made it what it is. Who knows it better then their own people? Would it really be better off if UFC was on HBO with Jim Lampley announcing, bashing the sport the whole way, or having to listen to people who have no clue what they're talking about doing commentary? There's a lot more to calling a fight then saying 'Big right hand!' or 'Takedown!' Joe Rogan may be a douche, but he understands MMA and does a great job of explaining what is going on, and more importantly, why. TFK
UFC is not in NEED of getting a major network contract. They're still #1 I don't think EliteXC will take over. It will be like wcw against wwf back in the day. A solid organization, but still #2. Anyway it's good because now ufc's dropouts and even the stars have another option. It's an end to the monopoly.
Its not really huge when the competition signed a deal to fight on network tv. UFC have already blown negotiations with ESPN and HBO. Now they couldn't get a deal with CBS. Like Beyond the grave said they won't get a deal until they change their ways.
Then the UFC's going to have to bend a little,not alot just a little and there not even willin to do that.NBA,NFL exc was willing to do it and look where there at....ON the real the UFC is not on there level but if they want to be then they need to give a little because I'm sorry but SPIKE TV is not all that:dunno:
Would UFC be anywhere near as succesful as it is without Spike? They had something like 8 of the top 10 highest bought PPV's of 2007, so I wouldn't underestimate Spike TV. Like I said, if EliteXC is succesful on CBS, the other networks will be falling all over themselves to air UFC. TFK
All points aside. BYG is exactly correct in that UFC management will have to come down off their high horse and realize they can't command what even the most successful sporting organization in the world (NFL) can't command. They are the biggest MMA market. But in the sports viewing world that doesn't even't make up 5%. The UFC will probably get a deal, but it won't be the lap of luxury they want.
