Vice TV Signs BYB Bare Knuckle Boxing Amid Surprising Sports Pivot

Vice TV is getting into the live sports business. 

The network, known for gritty documentaries, has signed a multiyear rights agreement with BYB Bare Knuckle Boxing, the fight promotion company confirmed to Front Office Sports. The deal includes 13 live events in 2025, starting with BYB 37: Denver Brawl IV on Feb. 22. It will mark the first time Vice TV has aired live sports. 

Vice Media Group filed for bankruptcy in 2023 and last year was sold to a coalition including Fortress Investment Group, Soros Fund Management, and Monroe Capital. Vice TV is still in about 40 million cable and satellite homes. 

In December, Deadline reported that the network would be pivoting to sports programming, including a docuseries partnership with Peyton Manning’s Omaha Productions with documentaries covering John Calipari. There were also plans to include televised podcasts from Colin Cowherd’s Volume network, including The Draymond Green Show with Baron Davis.

The report also said that Vice TV planned to air sporting events that included Arena Football One and PDC World Darts Championship.

This past January, former Barstool Sports CEO Erika Ayers Badan joined Vice Media’s board. 

“Bare Knuckle Boxing is growing faster than any other sport, with a trajectory that mirrors MMA 25 years ago, and that growth and popularity will only accelerate as Vice TV builds out Vice Sports,” BYB CEO Greg Bloom said in a statement. “BYB, like Vice TV, prides itself on being an industry innovator and disruptor, and we look forward to being a tentpole partner as Vice Sports continues to elevate exciting original and live programming.”

Bare-knuckle boxing will be Vice TV’s first live event series as the channel aims “to fill its programming slate with compelling sports-themed docuseries, programs, live events, and podcasts,” Vice TV president Pete Gaffney said.