As a seasoned film enthusiast who has witnessed the rise and fall of numerous industry titans, I can’t help but draw parallels between the competitive landscape of MMA leagues and the ever-evolving world of cinema.
One of the most significant sporting events in recent memory is set to unfold on October 19, happening in Saudi Arabia this time.
The “Battle of the Giants” could easily be mistaken for just another major mixed martial arts event. However, this highly anticipated matchup is actually a special contest organized by the Professional Fighters League. This “superfight” will see two titans clash: Francis Ngannou, a former UFC Heavyweight Champion, and Renan Ferreira, the current PFL heavyweight title holder, who goes by the nickname “La Problema.” Additionally, there will be a fierce encounter between two female champions, Cris Cyborg and Larissa Pacheco.
At Professional Fighter’s League (PFL), top executives are excited about the opportunity to attract new spectators to mixed martial arts. “This is an unprecedented card,” explains Donn Davis, the ex-AOL executive and co-founder/co-owner of the MMA league, “featuring the top two men and women in the sport.” They believe that this unique event will captivate die-hard MMA fans, but also pique the interest of casual sports enthusiasts who might want to check it out.
As a dedicated sports enthusiast, I can’t help but notice that in this digital age, when it seems like other TV genres are struggling to hold viewers’ attention, sports remain a consistent draw. Both established and emerging leagues are vying for recognition, and the upcoming renewal of media rights adds an exciting twist to the competition. The UFC, one of my favorite MMA leagues, has its rights controlled by Endeavor’s TKO Group, set for renewal in 2025. Meanwhile, the PFL, another league I follow closely, will see its rights expire in 2026. Interestingly, ESPN currently holds distribution agreements with both MMA leagues here in the U.S., making for a fascinating battle of strengths and strategies.
According to Davis, Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) is a relatively rare commodity, with just two top-tier firms – UFC and PFL – dominating the market. Although these leagues operate differently, Davis suggests that PFL sees an opportunity to expand the popularity of the sport by offering something unique and cutting-edge. He believes that instead of choosing between the two, viewers might prefer to watch it all because both offer distinct aspects. In other words, while UFC is undoubtedly in the lead, PFL’s approach is intriguing and innovative, which could potentially attract a wider audience.
Still, PFL is very different from the UFC. “We put the fighters in control instead of putting the promoter in control,” says Davis, nodding to PFL having a regular season, a playoff and a championship. He suggests UFC makes use of the “Don King boxing model” in which the promoter decides what fights would be best and makes them happen. “That’s not driven by athletes,” he says. “In the NBA, Adam Silver doesn’t decide who makes the playoffs.”
However, maintaining a consistent schedule and rhythm is beneficial for the league, as he contends, especially when dealing with sponsors. “We have a set season,” he explains, “unlike being a one-time occurrence.
According to Davis, UFC continues to be the dominant player, usually attracting twice as many viewers as PFL during major events. On average, PFL pulls in around 2 million viewers worldwide and 500,000 from the U.S. audience.
The executive says he enjoys working with companies that disrupt the industries that contain them. He founded the AOL unit that snapped up companies such as Netscape, Moviefone and Mapquest between 1998 and 2002 ,and worked with senior AOL executives Steve Case and Ted Leonsis in their Revolution venture capital firm. As UFC gained traction, he said to himself, “That reminds me of when I went to work for AOL in 1997.”
He’s eager to accomplish more: “I’m simply aiming to expand the popularity of this activity and conquer new territories – it’s just another day’s task for me.
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2024-09-16 17:48