• Loading stock data...
Tuesday, November 25, 2025
Want a chance to win $250 and free FOS gear? Take our quick reader survey. Take the survey here

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.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Savannah Bananas Try to Crack Down on Ticket Resellers

The team says it’s launching its own resale market next year.
Nov 23, 2025; Inglewood, California, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Tez Johnson (15) poses for a television camera after scoring a touchdown against the Los Angeles Rams during the second quarter at SoFi Stadium.

Fubo-NBCUniversal Is Latest Carriage Dispute to Hit Subscribers

NBCUniversal channels are now gone from the streaming-based service.

Penalties in Vegas Reignite F1 Title Fight—and ESPN’s Final Stretch

There are two races and a sprint race remaining in the calendar.
WORCESTER - WWE star Zelina Vega makes her return alongside NXT stars Legado del Fantasma during "WWE Friday Night SmackDown" at the DCU Center, Friday, Oct. 7, 2022.

The CW Says Nielsen WWE Ratings Drop ‘Lacks Credibility’

The CW says the new measurement process creates “inexplicable” findings.

Featured Today

How NBA Arena Experiences Went Ultra-Luxe

For the most connected guests, the game has become a secondary attraction.
Nov 23, 2025; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) throws a pass against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the fourth quarter at SoFi Stadium.
November 24, 2025

Stafford, Rams Rise From the Pack to Super Bowl Contention

The NFL team now has the top odds to win Super Bowl LX.
Nov 16, 2025; Orlando, Florida, USA; NJ/NY Gotham FC celebrate after scoring during extra time against Orlando Pride at Inter&Co Stadium
November 22, 2025

The NWSL Is Growing at Breakneck Pace. Can It Keep Surging?

While the league surges, it also must survive two major challenges.
Trinity Rodman
November 20, 2025

NWSL Regular-Season Ratings See Big Surge, Playoffs Up 5%

Regular-season viewership grew by over 20%, averaging more than 200,000.
TopGolf representatives celebrate their ribbon-cutting ceremony with Bay County residents in Panama City Beach, Fla., June 26, 2025. (

Callaway Offloads Topgolf in $1.1 Billion Sale to PE Firm

The deal unwinds Topgolf’s 2020 merger with Callaway.
July 6, 2025

American Celebs Want to Be Sports Owners. Soccer Is Where They Start

As U.S. team prices climb, investors set their sights abroad.
Louisville’s Miller Moss and several of his teammates stopped by Olympus Gaming Lounge to play EA Sports College Football 26 with fans for a meet and greet. July 11, 2025
September 29, 2025

Saudis, Silver Lake, Jared Kushner Take EA Private in $55B Deal

Electronic Arts makes “Madden,” “EA Sports College Football,” and more.
Sponsored

NFL QB Christian Ponder Is Preparing Athletes for Business

Former NFL quarterback Christian Ponder discusses the transition from field to boardroom.
Apr 26, 2025; San Francisco, California, USA; Houston Rockets guard Fred VanVleet (5) before game three of first round for the 2024 NBA Playoffs against the Golden State Warriors at Chase Center.
June 25, 2025

Rockets Get $20 Million in Wiggle Room From New VanVleet Deal

VanVleet first signed with the Rockets in 2023.
June 24, 2025

Timberwolves’ 4-Year Ownership Saga Ends As A-Rod, Lore Take Over

The unanimous approval brought a clean end to a long-disputed transaction.
April 20, 2025

Max Verstappen Linked to $300M Aston Martin Deal Ahead of Miami GP

Aston Martin is currently seventh in the constructors championship.
March 27, 2025

Peyton Manning’s Omaha Productions Gets PE Boost

The Hall of Famer’s company gains another prominent backer.