• Loading stock data...
Sunday, December 15, 2024

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

Sep 21, 2024; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Marshall Thundering Herd running back Ethan Payne (28) dives in for the touchdown during the first quarter against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Ohio Stadium. Mandatory

Portal-Depleted Marshall Bows Out of Independence Bowl

Louisiana Tech (5–7) will take Marshall’s place.

Pat McAfee’s Kicking Contest Saw $650,000 Awarded—and $5 Million Missed

The weekly contest on ESPN’s “College GameDay” paid out $650,000.
opinion

ESPN Power Rankings: The 25 Most Influential On-Air Talent, Teams

ESPN boasts roughly 500 on-air people. We rank the 25 most influential.

NBA Cup TV Ratings Down 10% Through Group Play

The NBA has faced stiff competition from other sports.

Featured Today

Michigan signee Bryce Underwood smiles during national signing day at Belleville High School in Belleville on Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024.

Reader Mailbag: Is the NIL Era Out of Control?

Readers had a lot to say about Ellison and the NIL era.
December 13, 2024

The Top-Secret Operation to Create the Army-Navy Football Uniforms

The two-year process includes dozens of employees, NDAs, and military historians.
Nov 2, 2024; Denver, Colorado, USA; Detailed view of a Wilson NBA basketball held by a referee during the second half between the Utah Jazz against the Denver Nuggets at Ball Arena
December 9, 2024

‘Obvious Weak Point’: Refs Remain an NBA Gambling Concern

A season after Jontay Porter, the biggest risk may not be players.
Nov 2, 2024; Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; Michigan Wolverines cheerleader runs with a flag before the game against the Oregon Ducks at Michigan Stadium.
opinion
December 7, 2024

College Football’s Billionaire Backer Era Begins

Is this the new normal in CFB recruiting?
exclusive

Talor Gooch Using LIV Golf Fortune to Start Building Sports Empire

The golfer has made more than $43 million individually from LIV.
November 13, 2024

Why Liberty Media Spun Off Assets, Shook Up Leadership

Longtime CEO Greg Maffei is stepping down at the end of the year.
December 4, 2024

U.S. Firm Makes $310M Bet on Soccer by Forming Superagency

The U.S.-based investment company makes a significant play in international soccer.
Sponsored

How UBS Crafts Impactful Partnerships Across Sports, Arts, and Culture

As UBS continues to expand its impressive array of sports and entertainment partnerships, the company solidifies its position as a leader in wealth management.
Oct 27, 2024; Seattle, Washington, USA; Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) passes against the Seattle Seahawks during the second quarter at Lumen Field.
October 30, 2024

Buffalo Bills in Talks to Sell Stake to PE Firm Arctos: Report

Arctos already has a slice of Paris Saint-Germain and the PGA Tour, among other assets.
Jul 7, 2021; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Lightning owner Jeff Vinik hoists the Stanley Cup after the Lightning defeated the Montreal Canadiens 1-0 in game five to win the 2021 Stanley Cup Final at Amalie Arena.
October 25, 2024

Lightning Sell at $1.8B Valuation, Nearly Double Prior NHL Record

The Lightning unveiled a multistep and multiyear sale process.
May 24, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban celebrates after defeating the Minnesota Timberwolves in game two of the western conference finals for the 2024 NBA playoffs at Target Center.
October 9, 2024

Why Mark Cuban Sold the Dallas Mavericks When He Did

Cuban sold his majority stake to the Adelson family in December 2023.
Young fans look over Michigan State sports equipment on display during the Spring Showcase on Saturday, April 20, 2024, at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing.
October 2, 2024

Private Equity Firms Buy Rival Hockey Brands CCM and Bauer

Both brands have been around for decades and changed ownership in the same week.