Dana White talks "headbutting with ESPN" ahead of new media rights negotiations in 2025
Dana White recently opened up on the upcoming media rights negotiations. The UFC and ESPN are set to enter a critical three-month window for exclusive media rights negotiations in early 2025.
The outcome will determine whether ESPN, owned by The Walt Disney Company, retains the UFC's lucrative streaming rights under the TKO Group Holdings banner.
While an extension with ESPN remains a possibility, the UFC CEO suggests the promotion is open to exploring other options. Speaking to Sports Business Journal, White acknowledged past disagreements with ESPN but emphasized the current positive working relationship:
"Yeah, everyone is kicking the tires. And over the however many last years that we’ve been together, I’ve had some headbutting with ESPN, but I feel like we are in a really good place right now and I’m really happy with my relationship with them and the way that this whole thing is running. We’ll see how it plays out... I think everyone [including Warner Bros. Discovery] is kicking the tires and is interested in making a bid."
His statement indicates that the UFC is preparing for potential bids from streaming giants, including Amazon and Netflix. Netflix is set to take over WWE programming in early 2025.
Dana White aims to reduce events at Apex Facility in Las Vegas
UFC CEO Dana White announced plans to significantly reduce the events held at the UFC Apex facility in Las Vegas and bring the world's premier MMA organization back to a wider range of cities.
The pandemic forced the UFC to hold a large number of events at the Apex, a small venue with limited attendance. While acknowledging the profitability of these Apex events, White emphasized the importance of live crowds and fan engagement:
“We’ve got to get out of the Apex and start doing more events in all these different cities. We’re starting to do it. We’re getting it done this year.” [H/t: Forbes].
Check out Dana White's comments below:
Several locations are already slated for upcoming events, including a return to Minneapolis, Seattle, and various cities in Canada. This weekend's UFC Fight Night takes place in Denver, marking the promotion's first visit to the city since 2018.
Additionally, UFC 304 in Manchester, England later this month will be the organization's first event in the city since 2016.