• Loading stock data...
Sunday, February 22, 2026

WWE Mats for Sale: UFC-Inspired Deal Puts Prime Drink Ads Center Stage

  • The mat sponsorship deal aligns with new areas of advertising across sports. 
  • Logan Paul’s drink company was already the official hydration drink of UFC; now it holds that relationship with WWE.

The WWE revealed on Friday night a logo for Prime Hydration, the sports drink founded by YouTube star and frequent WWE collaborator Logan Paul, as its first sponsor to appear on its wrestling mats. A WWE spokesperson told The Wall Street Journal that the logo would appear at future tentpole WWE events, including WrestleMania and Money in the Bank, and that executives are also shopping around sponsorship deals for other places on the mat. 

The agreement with Prime Hydration is for two years at an eight-figure cost, which WWE says marks the largest sponsorship in the organization’s history. It’s also the latest move the WWE has taken from the playbook of UFC since partnering with that outfit last fall to form the TKO Group. Prime became the official drink of UFC in January 2023, and the fighting league has long plastered sponsor logos all over its Octagon. 

According to company earnings reports, UFC brought in $48.3 million in sponsorship revenue during the 2023 fourth quarter, compared to just $15.4 million by WWE in the same time period. That’s despite WWE outearning UFC by $44 million in media rights deals and content sales. 

The new mat sponsorships aligns with a growing ad trend as sports executives push where they can sell sponsorship space. In 2017 the NBA added on-jersey sponsors in the form of a patch, and MLB followed in ’23. In the NFL, sponsor patches are commonplace on practice jerseys, and UFC fighters have had logos on their shorts for years.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Jan 29, 2022; St. Louis, MO, USA; Ronda Rousey celebrates after winning the women’s Royal Rumble match during the Royal Rumble at The Dome at America's Center.

Ronda Rousey Says UFC Was Not Interested in Fight With Gina Carano

Both fighters will undergo more medical testing than what’s required.
Apr 2, 2023; Inglewood, CA, USA; Ronda Rousey (black attire) and Shotzi (green hair) during Wrestlemania Night 2 at SoFi Stadium.

Netflix Leans Further Into Spectacle Fights With Rousey-Carano

The fight will run in partnership with Jake Paul’s MVP Promotions.
Daniel Cormier

Former UFC Champ Daniel Cormier Touts ‘Historic’ Paramount Deal

“Now we’re in line with the rest of the sports.”
Feb 5, 2026; San Francisco, CA, USA; Seth Rollins poses on the NFL Honors Red Carpet before Super Bowl LX at Palace of Fine Arts.

Seth Rollins: Ben Johnson Has ‘Definitely’ Taken Lesson From WWE

The WWE star says “personal stories and rivalries make everything huge.”

Featured Today

[Subscription Customers Only] Jul 13, 2025; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; Chelsea FC midfielder Cole Palmer (10) celebrates winning the final of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup at MetLife Stadium

Soccer’s ‘Crown Jewels’ Are Devouring Smaller Clubs

Mega conglomerates are feeding a big business machine. Fans are furious.
Feb 10, 2026; Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy; Cory Thiesse and Korey Dropkin of the United States during the curling mixed doubles gold medal game during the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games at Cortina Curling Olympic Stadium
February 20, 2026

Curling Clubs Are Swept Up in Olympics Fever. Can It Last?

Every four years, organizations field an influx of curling-curious patrons.
Max Valverde by Ron Winsett
February 17, 2026

How Ski Mountaineering’s Hype Man Went From TikTok to NBC

Max Valverde’s gushing over the niche sport vaulted him to Olympic broadcaster.
Feb 11, 2026; Livigno, Italy; Jaelin Kauf of the United States during freestyle skiing women's moguls final during the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games at Livigno Aerials & Moguls Park
February 13, 2026

The Surprise Hit of the Winter Olympics: First-Person Drone Views

Tiny drone cameras have reshaped the Olympics viewing experience.
A'ja Wilson
exclusive

WNBA Proposes Same Salary Cap in New CBA Offer

The league did offer players slightly better terms on housing.
Jan 6, 2026; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indiana Pacers forward Pascal Siakam (43) holds the ball while Cleveland Cavaliers forward/guard De'andre Hunter (12) defends in the first half at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
February 20, 2026

NBA Gets Serious About Anti-Tanking Measures

There is a growing push to have reforms in place for next season.
Sep 28, 2025; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Minnesota Lynx forward Alanna Smith (8) scores on Phoenix Mercury forward Kathryn Westbeld (24) and forward Alyssa Thomas (25) in the second half during game four of the second round for the 2025 WNBA Playoffs at PHX Arena.
February 21, 2026

Are the WNBA’s 9-Figure Losses What They Seem?

The WNBA claims the union’s proposal would cause massive losses.
Sponsored

From MLS to AUSL: Jon Patricof on Building Sports Leagues

Jon Patricof on athlete equity, fan-first strategy, and how women’s sports can reshape the future of league building.
Dec 6, 2025; Fort Lauderdale, Florida, USA; Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi (10) looks on with the Philip F. Anschutz trophy after winning the 2025 MLS Cup against the Vancouver Whitecaps FC at Chase Stadium.
February 20, 2026

MLS Stadium Construction Boom Shows No Sign of Slowing

Inter Miami will move into a new venue in April.
Nov 1, 2025; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman (5) reacts with third baseman Max Muncy (13) after defeating the Toronto Blue Jays in the eleventh inning for game seven of the 2025 MLB World Series at Rogers Centre.
February 20, 2026

New MLBPA Leader, Same Stance on Salary Caps

The union’s leadership change has brought no shift in core beliefs.
Sep 28, 2025; Bethpage, New York, USA; The crowd drinks champagne in the celebration for Europe winning the Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Schneidler-Imagn Images
February 20, 2026

PGA of America Blunts President’s Power After Ryder Cup Backlash

The move continues a leadership shake-up for the organization.
Jon Patricof
February 20, 2026

How the Pandemic Created a Perfect Storm for Athletes Unlimited

Women’s sports have seen a massive uptick in popularity since the pandemic.