The end of the UFC’s current broadcasting deal with Fox is rapidly approaching. As the end of this partnership draws closer, the promotion is scrambling to hash out a new arrangement with respect to its broadcast rights.<\/p>\n
According to a report from Variety<\/a>\u00a0this week, ESPN and Fox are in talks to share the UFC broadcasting rights.<\/p>\n Here are the pertinent details, per the Variety report:<\/p>\n Variety\u00a0has learned that the two companies have recently proposed to split the\u00a0UFC\u00a0TV package in a move that would bring as many as 15 fight events to new subscription streaming service\u00a0ESPN+.<\/em><\/p>\n According to sources with knowledge of the proposal, ESPN has signaled that it would be willing to pay $120-180 million per year to add the Endeavor-owned mixed martial arts league to its collection of live-event rights.<\/em><\/p>\n Fox, which currently pays $120 million per year\u00a0UFC\u00a0rights, would be willing see that number increase to a little more than $200 million. Fox\u2019s current package includes four Saturday-night fights per year on Fox Broadcasting and a number of fight events on cabler\u00a0Fox Sports\u00a01 that has increased annually under its current agreement. A joint bid with ESPN would see Fox\u2019s total number of events decline slightly.<\/em><\/p>\n As of now, neither FOX nor ESPN has commented on the deal.\u00a0Even when pressed about the rumored deal at\u00a0the Sports Business Journal World Conference of Sports, Fox Sports CEO Eric Shanks refused to comment.<\/p>\n "We love the #ufc<\/a>, but we aren't going to comment on the rumors today." Eric Shanks onstage with regard to #espn<\/a> & #fox<\/a> joint bid circulating today. #sbjwcs<\/a> #sportsbiz<\/a> #MMA<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/StktFwQSTE<\/a><\/p>\n — Joe Favorito (@joefav) April 17, 2018<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n