UFC and CBS Reportedly Close to Deal

[goblue97]

From MMAweekly.com
http://www.mmaweekly.com/absolutenm/templates/dailynews.asp?articleid=5108&zoneid=13
This is good for the UFC and MMA in general but I wonder what it does to UFC's relationship with SpikeTV.

The recent writer's strike may be working in favor of the Ultimate Fighting Championship as sources say it is close to announcing a television deal with major broadcast network CBS.

The writer's strike has caused headaches in Hollywood. With several shows not completed due to the strike, many networks are now looking into more reality-style television shows to keep their ratings afloat.

According to Mediapost Publications, the UFC is in the final stages of a deal with CBS, and it may be announced as early as this week.

[MasterOfPuppets]

My guess is that if the UFC can seal a deal with CBS, they say hey, screw SpikeTV.

If the deal falls through...really, what else does SpikeTV have going for it?

Win-win for UFC. :p

[ireland967]

It's hard to imagine seeing some MMA fights on network TV. I think it may have been in last seasons reality show where a fighter got a cut that bled so bad his bleach blonde hair was fully stained bright red by the end of the fight.

I didn't catch last weekend's PPV event, but I got bored just reading the highlights. UFC should work on building better premium matchups.

[Graymalkin]

I believe it's time for the ultimate schlock athletic competition to return to television:

Battle of the Network Stars!

Hosted, of course, by a digitized version of the late great Howard Cosell. :D

[aindik]

Spike TV is owned by Viacom. CBS and Viacom used to be part of the same company, but now they're not (as of 12/31/05). Though, Sumner Redstone is still Chairman of the Board of both Viacom and CBS, and his privately owned company, National Amusements, owns controlling interests in both.

[KungFuCow]

It's hard to imagine seeing some MMA fights on network TV. I think it may have been in last seasons reality show where a fighter got a cut that bled so bad his bleach blonde hair was fully stained bright red by the end of the fight.

Edwin Dewees

[marksman]

I suspect CBS is eager to get this done ASAP, as it will help with the content void if the strike keeps up.

UFC should really hold out for a long-term deal to not just be used as a short-term stop-gap.

[goblue97]

UFC should really hold out for a long-term deal to not just be used as a short-term stop-gap.
It's hard to say but I don't think the UFC is holding the chips in this one. There are some other up and coming MMA organizations out there that would be happy to get on network tv and would do it for far less. The UFC may be wise in taking what CBS offers at this point. There is nothing wrong with a short term deal that gets them on netwrok tv either. Just getting on basic cable really launched them into what they are today.

[KungFuCow]

It's hard to say but I don't think the UFC is holding the chips in this one. There are some other up and coming MMA organizations out there that would be happy to get on network tv and would do it for far less.

Like? UFC owns the WEC so that only leaves EliteXC, which is in cahoots with Showtime and Strikeforce and some smaller ones. Well, Mark Cuban's new org, but he's showing them on his own channel.... M1 hasnt even had a show yet. Plus, none of those organizations have any name fighters. That's like carrying the CFL instead of the NFL.

[goblue97]

Like? UFC owns the WEC so that only leaves EliteXC, which is in cahoots with Showtime and Strikeforce and some smaller ones. Well, Mark Cuban's new org, but he's showing them on his own channel.... M1 hasnt even had a show yet. Plus, none of those organizations have any name fighters. That's like carrying the CFL instead of the NFL.
With the exception of the WEC you mentioned them all. The IFL wouldn't work, IMO. I don't see why CBS wouldn't make a deal with any of the others if they got desperate and the UFC decides to play hardball. Comparing this to the NFL/CFL isn't really accurate either. The NFL is/was/has been a mainstream sport accepted by most.

[goblue97]

Like? UFC owns the WEC
Also, just a nit-pick on my part but the UFC does not own the WEC. Zuffa owns both.

[goblue97]

Like? UFC owns the WEC so that only leaves EliteXC, which is in cahoots with Showtime and Strikeforce and some smaller ones. Well, Mark Cuban's new org, but he's showing them on his own channel.... M1 hasnt even had a show yet. Plus, none of those organizations have any name fighters. That's like carrying the CFL instead of the NFL.
Ok, this is my last rebuttal to your post. Your claim of no "name" fighters is simply untrue.

[KungFuCow]

Ok, this is my last rebuttal to your post. Your claim of no "name" fighters is simply untrue.

I guess we'll agree to disagree then. If you look at the rankings, 98% of the top ranked fighters outside the LW division are under contract with the UFC. There are a few big name guys that arent but you cant build an orginzation around 1 or 2 fighters, as M1 is about to find out. WFA already tried that and it didnt work out too well for them.

[goblue97]

I guess we'll agree to disagree then. If you look at the rankings, 98% of the top ranked fighters outside the LW division are under contract with the UFC. There are a few big name guys that arent but you cant build an orginzation around 1 or 2 fighters, as M1 is about to find out. WFA already tried that and it didnt work out too well for them.
What rankings are you referring to? If it's mmaweekly then let's take a look.
In the HW division you have the #1 ranked guy not in the UFC along with 3 others in the top 10.
In the LHW division you have 2 out of the top 10 not in the UFC.
In the MW division you have at least 4 out of the top 10 not in the UFC. (5 out of 10 if you consider Filho isn't in the UFC)
In the WW division you have 2 out of the top 10 not in the UFC.
And since the UFC has a LW division let's include them too. There are 8 out of the top 10 fighters not in the UFC.
That's a total of 20 fighters out of the top 50 in the world according to a reputable MMA website. 40% isn't a majority but it's a far cry form the 2% you were quoted as saying.
Also, none of the rankings include guys like Frank Trigg and Mayhem Miller that have proven to put fans in the stands.
Let me also clarify that I am not anti-UFC but I don't think they are the only show in town anymore.

[bareyb]

It's hard to imagine seeing some MMA fights on network TV. I think it may have been in last seasons reality show where a fighter got a cut that bled so bad his bleach blonde hair was fully stained bright red by the end of the fight.

I didn't catch last weekend's PPV event, but I got bored just reading the highlights. UFC should work on building better premium matchups.

Think how good that would have looked in High Def! :D
I have a "bad" feeling about the UFC going to a major network too. It seems to me that may open them up to a whole lot more censoring. Still. The Fertitta brothers didn't get to where they are today without being smart. I guess time will tell if this was a good move in the LONG run.

I did watch last weekends PPV event, and yeah. It was a pretty weak card. Lots of people laying on top of other people and holding them down on the mat. I found myself 30 second skipping more than I ever have before. There were a few good moments, but you didn't miss much. :p

[alpacaboy]

I believe it's time for the ultimate schlock athletic competition to return to television:

Battle of the Network Stars!

Hosted, of course, by a digitized version of the late great Howard Cosell. :D

Ah, memories of the dunk tank... true athletics. How can you call that "schlock?" :) That seriously needs to come out on DVD...

[The Flush]

What rankings are you referring to? If it's mmaweekly then let's take a look.
In the HW division you have the #1 ranked guy not in the UFC along with 3 others in the top 10.
In the LHW division you have 2 out of the top 10 not in the UFC.
In the MW division you have at least 4 out of the top 10 not in the UFC. (5 out of 10 if you consider Filho isn't in the UFC)
In the WW division you have 2 out of the top 10 not in the UFC.
And since the UFC has a LW division let's include them too. There are 8 out of the top 10 fighters not in the UFC.
That's a total of 20 fighters out of the top 50 in the world according to a reputable MMA website. 40% isn't a majority but it's a far cry form the 2% you were quoted as saying.
Also, none of the rankings include guys like Frank Trigg and Mayhem Miller that have proven to put fans in the stands.
Let me also clarify that I am not anti-UFC but I don't think they are the only show in town anymore.

Now that there is no Pride, what organization are all of these top 10 fighters in that are not in the UFC?

[goblue97]

Now that there is no Pride, what organization are all of these top 10 fighters in that are not in the UFC?
They're all mixed up among M-1, EliteXC, Strikeforce, K1 and now HDnet Fights. The other organizations aren't requiring the fighters to sign exclusive deals like the UFC is. That's the biggest reason that the top ranked HW in the world (Fedor) isn't with the UFC.

[Jebberwocky!]

Dan Henderson vs. Anderson "Spider" Silva in UFC 82, March 1.

http://sports.yahoo.com/box/news?slug=txmmacolumn&prov=st&type=lgns

[goblue97]

Dan Henderson vs. Anderson "Spider" Silva in UFC 82, March 1.

http://sports.yahoo.com/box/news?slug=txmmacolumn&prov=st&type=lgns
This should be a great fight. I think Henderson has the best shot at Silva. I'm glad Henderson decided that Middleweight was ok for him.

[Jebberwocky!]

This should be a great fight. I think Henderson has the best shot at Silva. I'm glad Henderson decided that Middleweight was ok for him.


I think grapplers will give Silva all he wants and then some :D