Wednesday, August 5, 2026
  • -
    days
  • -
    hours
  • -
    minutes
  • -
    seconds

Disney Considered Buying UFC in 2016

  • Disney considered buying UFC in 2016, and could seek to again.
  • The fighting league began giving out bonuses to fighters in bitcoin.
UFC
Barbara Perenic/Columbus Dispatch

Back in 2016, Disney nearly purchased UFC, shortly before it was bought by Endeavor and a group of investors for over $4 billion.

Now the entertainment conglomerate could seek to purchase the fighting league or another high-value sports property.

As media rights rise in cost, streaming giants may look to acquire leagues to keep costs down, according to CNBC, which also mentioned WWE and Formula 1 as potential targets, should any become available. 

In other UFC news, the promotion will begin paying its athletes bonuses in cryptocurrency.

In addition to the league’s standard cash bonuses, the top three fighters, as determined by fan votes, will win a total of $60,000 in bitcoin at each pay-per-view event.

UFC signed a 10-year, $175 million sponsorship deal with Crypto.com last year.

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Sign up for
The Memo Newsletter

Get the biggest stories and best analysis on the business of sports delivered to your inbox twice every weekday and twice on weekends.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

David Ellison, CEO of Paramount Skydance, speaks during the Paramount Pictures presentation at CinemaCon, the official convention of Cinema United, in Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S., April 16, 2026.

Paramount Antitrust Trial Delayed As Ellison Makes Case for Merger

Company CEO David Ellison is much more outspoken about the transaction.

UFC’s White House Event Lost $30M, but Business Kept Growing

The business grew despite red ink from the June showcase.
Exclusive

NFL Flag Championship Sees Highest Rating Yet

In its third year, the NFL Flag Championships delivered record viewership.
Formula One F1 - Hungarian Grand Prix - Hungaroring, Budapest, Hungary - July 26, 2026 Red Bull's Isack Hadjar in action during the race REUTERS/Marton Monus

F1 Will Shift Season Finale to Europe if Middle East War Continues

F1 also confirmed that the final race will not be in the U.S.
podcast thumbnail mobile
Front Office Sports Today

8/5/26 – UFC Freedom 250’s $30M Loss, Bijan’s Record Deal, Infantino Losing Support

0:00

Featured Today

FILE PHOTO: Cricket - Indian Premier League - IPL - Mumbai Indians v Chennai Super Kings - Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai, India - April 23, 2026 Mumbai Indians' Suryakumar Yadav in action

India Is Usurping Cricket’s Throne From England and Australia

India’s insatiable appetite for cricket has shifted the traditional locus of power.
WPBL
July 30, 2026

Who’s Playing Women’s Professional Baseball?

Sixty players from 11 countries are descending on Illinois for six weeks.
Tom's Watch Bar
July 17, 2026

Sports Bars Are Cashing In From Summer of Soccer

The World Cup has brought a windfall to America’s biggest sports bars.
Jun 16, 2026; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; France forward Michael Olise (11) controls the ball against Senegal during a Group I match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup at New York New Jersey Stadium
July 16, 2026

Where World Cup Stars Go to Customize Their Cleats

The world’s best players turn to a Scottish craftsman for perfect cleats.
July 10, 2026

What the World Cup Means to Erling Haaland’s Tiny Hometown

The tournament’s breakout star is from a rural Norwegian town.
Huddle in the Hamptons

Why Investors Want to Bring Athletes Into Ownership Groups

LeBron James and Tom Brady have ownership stakes in multiple sports teams.
At Five Points Sports Bar, in Levittown, Philadelphia Eagles fans watch first quarter action, in Super Bowl LVII, in Arizona, on Sunday, Feb. 12, 2023.
July 31, 2026

NFL Sunday Ticket Will Still Be Available by Satellite at Sports Bars

DirecTV’s previous deal expired after the 2025 NFL season.
Jan 8, 2024; Houston, TX, USA; Adam Schefter talks on a set before the 2024 College Football Playoff national championship game between the Michigan Wolverines and the Washington Huskies at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
July 31, 2026

Schefter Among Early Investors to Cash In on Underdog Sale

Schefter first invested in Underdog in 2021.
Sponsored

Saints Great Turns to Ownership

Marques Colston discusses his Champions Fund launch and finding success after football.
Underdog Fantasy
July 30, 2026

Underdog Sold to U.K.’s IG Group in Potential $2.15B Deal

IG Group is making a big bet on Underdog’s prediction-market business.
Marques Colston
July 30, 2026

Marques Colston: Why Everyone Is Buying Into Soccer Clubs

Colston’s The Champion Fund invested in Ipswich Town.
Jul 19, 2026; West Sacramento, California, USA; Athletics shortstop Jacob Wilson (5) hits an RBI single during the ninth inning against the Washington Nationals at Sutter Health Park.
July 23, 2026

Mark Cuban, Rashaun Williams Firm Buys Stake in A’s

It’s the first investment by Harbinger Sports Partners, which formed last May.
Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and his wife Lauren Sanchez attend the annual Allen and Co. Sun Valley Media and Technology Conference at the Sun Valley Resort in Sun Valley, Idaho, U.S., July 8, 2026.
July 22, 2026

Jeff Bezos Reportedly May Join Bid for Liverpool Stake

A deal could value the Premier League club at roughly $6 billion.