Bellator 67: 165,000 viewers
May 8, 2012
MMA Junkie reports that Bellator 67 ratings scored an average of 165,000 viewers. The ratings reflect a 51 percent increase from Bellator 66’s dismal 109,000 viewer average.
Bellator 66: 109,000 viewers
Bellator 65: 163,000 viewers
Bellator 64: 175,00 viewers
Bellator 63: 140,000 viewers
Bellator 62: 175,000 viewers
Bellator 61: 108,000 viewers
Bellator 60: 169,000 viewers
Payout Perspective:
The Season 6 ratings average is at about 150,000 viewers which is down from this past summer’s ratings on MTV2 which averaged 186,000 viewers. Like TUF Live, Bellator is experiencing growing pains with its move to Friday nights. It appears as though Bellator is grooming its product for a big 2013 on Spike TV. One thing that it must work with is the swings in its viewership. TUF Live has remained steady (albeit disappointing) in its viewers. Yet, Bellator’s ratings are unpredictable which can be a concern as it continues on.
No vote on MMA in New York this year
May 8, 2012
The New York Daily News reported that there will not be a vote to legalize MMA in New York. After a behind the scenes discussion on whether there were enough votes for legislation, the Assembly Democratic conference decided not to bring it to the floor for a formal vote.
State Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver told the Daily News that the thought of legalizing MMA is “evolving” among politicians and was optimistic that passage of legislation could happen in the near future.
Of course, the UFC expressed disappointment with the fact an “up or down” vote was not made.
Via NY Times:
“All I want is a vote on the Assembly floor,” Mr. Ratner said. “If it doesn’t pass, it doesn’t pass. Not to get a vote by the full Assembly, to me, is un-American.”
Ratner cited the hotel worker’s union of New York in solidarity with the Culinary Worker’s Union as the main impediment to the legislation.
In addition to the New York news, Connecticut indicated that it would not vote to legalize MMA this year.
Payout Perspective:
While legalizing MMA through the political process may have to wait another year, the belief is that more people are warming up to the idea. So, perhaps the lobbying and the UFC on Fox is helping with people getting used to the sport. Zuffa’s lawsuit against the state still looms although no word yet on New York’s motion to dismiss portions of the lawsuit.
UFC boasts increase in viewers on Fuel
May 7, 2012
It appears that the UFC is increasing its viewership on Fuel. Fuel TV has recorded the largest year-to-year percentage increases of total viewers in both prime time and total day in April and this year among all rated, ad-supported cable networks.
Fuel TV reported this growth via press release although it cites figures released by Nielsen Media Research. Fuel TV has ramped up its UFC programming from 213 hours in March to 340 in April. The increase was amplified by a marathon of UFC content during a Fuel TV preview.
Via Fuel TV press release:
April 2012 was up +260% in Total Viewers and +450% in M18-49 vs. April 2011
Prime time viewership grew +275% on Total Viewers and +250% among M18-49 compared to April 2011
Late night finished up +767% on Total Viewers and +1000% among M18-49 from April 2011
UFC on FUEL TV Fight Night on April 14 delivered the most-watched day in network history (on both Total Viewers and M18-49) with an average of 71,000 Total Viewers and 44,000 M18-49, +1320% and +2100%, respectively, vs. April 2011;
UFC on FUEL TV Fight Night on April 14 was the second most-watched program in network history, with 197,000 Total Viewers and the most-watched telecast in network history among the target demo of M18-49 with 142,000;
The program peaked at 298,000 Total Viewers from 5:30pm ET – 5:45pm ET.
April 2012 was the network’s second most-watched month ever, behind February 2012.
For the first four months of 2012, prime time viewership is averaging an increase of +209% over 2011, and total day is up +125% compared to 2011.
Payout Perspective:
If you were looking for a UFC network, you need only look to Fuel TV as it is increasingly becoming the spot to turn to for your UFC fix. It would be interesting to see the numbers as to the converts to Fuel from its last free preview in April. Certainly, it would help to get a wider distribution for Fuel. While it appears that Fuel is gaining acceptance as the spot for UFC, and its gaining steam on FX (based on the Prelims increasing viewership numbers). But, there’s still concern with the TUF Live franchise on FX and Saturday’s numbers on Fox.
UFC on FOX 3: Diaz vs Miller Overnight Ratings: 2.25 Million Viewers
May 6, 2012
TV By The Numbers reports on the overnight ratings for UFC on FOX 3, as it wins the time slot for adults 18-49 with a 1.0 rating and a 4 share with an estimated 2.25 million total viewer average (the numbers may be adjusted upwards due to the nature of live programming).
The report states the following:
FOX won a slow Cinco de Mayo in adults 18-49 with its broadcast of a UFC fight, while CBS was number one in total viewers.
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The latest UFC on FOX bout scored a 1.0 rating among adults 18-49.
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On CBS, 48 Hours Mystery was the night’s top rated show among adults 18-49, earning a 1.3 adults 18-49 rating, up from last week’s 0.9.
Payout Perspective:
The numbers are down from the first two FOX events. In November of 2011, UFC on FOX debut drew a 3.1 rating with 5.7 million viewers with a peak of 8.8 million viewers. Earlier this year, UFC on FOX 2 drew a 2.6 rating with 4.66 million viewers with a peak at 6.08M. The West Coast tape delay and overrun may help with the final tally for the ratings a little bit, but I don’t see it topping 3 million viewers this time around, which has to be considered a bad number for the UFC and FOX.
The UFC focused on putting on exciting match-ups this time around, but what they made up for in exciting fights, it severely lacked in star power as was the case for the first two shows. UFC on FOX 4 appears to be following a similar blueprint, as Brian Stann vs Hector Lombard has already been booked for the main event, but will have a much better co-main event with Lyoto Machida taking on Ryan Bader.
Zuffa rings bell at NASDAQ
May 5, 2012
In promotion of the UFC’s third appearance on Fox, Zuffa fighters rang the NASDAQ bell earlier this week in New York’s Times Square. Jon Jones, Frankie Edgar and Strikeforce’s Ronda Rousey were on hand as well as UFC on Fox anchor Curt Menefee.
Photo via UFC press release
Payout Perspective:
This has been the only real mainstream promotion for today’s card (if I’m missing something, please let me know in the comments) on the network. And, it wasn’t even the New York Stock Exchange. Nevertheless, a good photo op and another subtle hint that New York should have MMA. It’s interesting that Rousey is getting a push from Zuffa as she recently was on TUF Live and testified against against AB 2100 in California.
Vice Media introduces UFC online channel this fall
May 4, 2012
Variety reports that digital company Vice Media plans a UFC channel to its offerings starting in September 2012. The UFC online channel will be dedicated to the culture of MMA.
Via Variety:
The network’s lineup includes “Body Shop,” exploring the science of fighting; adventure-travel show “The Coming of Man” documenting fighters as they experience traditional male rights of passage; “Little Big Guys” showing what it takes for a kids to become MMA bruisers; and “Cooking to Fight,” which pairs world-class chefs “with men attached to the most dangerous fists on the planet.”
According to its media kit, Vice Media’s mean age is 27 and male dominated which skews toward the UFC’s demo.
Payout Perspective:
The description of the shows already peaks my interest in tuning in this fall. We will see how the channel will produce content in addition to what the UFC does for FX and Fuel. With these shows, one would think someone could think of ideas for viewers to tune into TUF Live (that is somewhat of a joke). It will be interesting to see how many gravitate toward the UFC channel this fall.
UFC left off of ESPN salary list for lack of information
May 3, 2012
Earlier this week, ESPN released its list of highest paid athletes in sports. Notably, the list left off the sport of MMA and specifically the UFC due to the fact that it could not confirm salary data.
MMA Fighting wrote that Dana White is right and wrong with not releasing fighter salary data. It states that White is right to withhold salary info because it is private. Presumably, it protects the privacy of its fighters by not telling everyone how much they make per fight. However, there is a reason to release salaries:
Football, basketball and baseball are mainstream because they’re big business. And part of the reason we know they’re big business is because players salaries are made public.
It then argued a reason to make salaries public is to entice up and coming fighters.
And make no mistake, there are plenty of possible MMA stars who are on football fields. In many parts of the country, football and wrestling work together to create quality athletes. But then what happens? As the athlete progresses, he starts thinking about his future. And where is there a better chance for a future? Of course most, if given the opportunity, will move on to football. Why? Because long-term, there is a chance for a windfall payday. Even if it’s remote, there is a chance.
It uses the Jones brothers as an example. Two of the Jones brothers are now in the NFL while Jon is probably the most famous as the UFC champ. This example is flawed considering there is no evidence that Jon Jones was good at football (or any other sport) and chose MMA instead.
Payout Perspective:
MMA Fighting’s argument that the sport of MMA could lose out on potential athletes because of the lack of salary information is improbable. Most likely athletes will choose their profession based on the best possible chance of making it in the professional ranks of the sport. There are examples of athletes choosing a sport and then reversing course. (NFL First Rounder Brandon Wheedon played baseball a couple years before going back to play college football and getting drafted.) But that example is beyond the scope of the theory that someone will actually choose a sport based on how much you could make. There are instances of former football players taking up MMA after their pigskin career is done. But, that is after their first career is over.
Moreover, it’s not plausible to think that someone would choose a career in MMA over a career in NFL because money in MMA is not as good as that in professional football. Even without knowing the salary structure in MMA, one need only look to the salaries that NFL rookies will make to assume that if you had a choice to play professionally or fight in MMA, one would choose the NFL.
Transparency of the UFC’s salaries lends credibility to the sport based in part on the fact that the other sports are willing to reveal the way it pays its athletes. For the UFC to say “it’s none of your business” makes it seem that it is hiding something rather than protecting the privacy of its fighters. The ESPN OTL report builds on the premise that it is hiding something. Like it or not, that is how it is perceived.
Apex Sports Agency Acquires One Fighting Championship North American Brand Rights
May 3, 2012
Apex Sports Agency (ASA) today announced that a partnership with top Asian fight organization ONE Fighting Championship (ONE FC) has been agreed to. With this pact, ASA will now exclusively handle all North American sponsorship and media negotiations for ONE FC.
ONE FC is one of the world’s largest mixed martial arts (MMA) promotions. They recently consummated an unprecedented ten-year deal with ESPN STAR Sports, the number one leader in sports content, which will bring ONE FC content to 500 million homes across 24 countries in Asia. Now, ONE FC and ASA have joined forces.
CEO and Owner of ONE Fighting Championship Mr. Victor Cui said, “ONE Fighting Championship has completely changed the game for the sport of MMA in Asia, a region that has been the birthplace and home to martial arts for the last 5,000 years. This is a result of the synergistic efforts and outstanding support from our partners. We are the biggest and best MMA organization in Asia because we work with only the best fighters, promotions, gyms, sponsors, and media companies. I am happy to be working with another world-class agency in ASA as we expand our reach to work with new sponsors and partners.”
“Though less than a year old, ONE FC has done some amazing things already in the sport of MMA,” explained ASA CEO Jason Chambers. “They have a huge reach…it’s unreal to see what they are accomplishing. With the growth they’re experiencing, it’s only natural that they want to expand their presence here in North America. ASA can help ONE FC achieve that, and that is our goal.”
ONE Fighting Championship is Asia’s largest mixed martial arts event. While ONE FC is dedicated to featuring the best Asian fighters in the world, the promotion also aims to reach the North American fight faithful as well. Events thus far have featured well-known fighters such as Phil Baroni, Tatsuya Kawajiri, Melvin Manhoef, Yoshiyuki Yoshida, Andy Wang, and Rolles Gracie, while also introducing talented combatants such as Zorobabel Moreira, Ole Laursen, Fabricio Monteiro, and rising star Eduard Folayang.
ASA has quickly garnered a strong reputation in the MMA world, working with stars on the rise such as UFC fighters Chris Clements, Clifford Starks, Carlo Prater, and Matt Lucas, as well as established fighters like Karo Parisyan, Lyle “Fancy Pants” Beerbohm, Drew Fickett, Jorge Gurgel, and Zoila Gurgel. However, ASA is more than just another management firm. The company offers a wide array of services, including brand-building. The partnership with ONE FC came about as a result, and proves that ASA is a company to keep an eye on.
Payout Perspective:
Though less than a year old, you have to be impressed with the moves One FC has made so far. From signing a TV deal with ESPN STAR Sports to now slowly creeping into the North American market, it appears that all the right moves are being made. The Japanese and Asian MMA scene has yet to recover to the levels of when PRIDE Fighting Championship ruled the region. Since the purchase and dismantling of the Japanese promotion years ago by Zuffa, several promotions have tried to fill it’s void (Sengoku, DREAM, etc0 but none have been able to do so.
One FC took an interesting approach and focused on developing Asian talent and concentrating on the Asian market before further expanding. The signing with ASA is just another step in the direction of growth for the budding promotion who is based out of Singapore.
Nevada states position on Diaz suspension
May 1, 2012
MMA Fighting reports that the Attorney General of Nevada stated its position to Nick Diaz’s claim that his suspension by the Nevada State Athletic Commission violated state administrative laws and Diaz’s due process.
In a letter which preceded Diaz’s lawsuit, the NSAC framed the suspension as “temporary” not a “summary” suspension as claimed by Diaz’s attorneys.
The Nevada Attorney General Catherine Cortez Masto argues that Diaz’s lawsuit is misguided as the legal team “misunderstood” the suspension. In a letter to Diaz’s attorney, the AG explained the NSAC’s actions.
Via MMA Fighting:
“No Notice of Summary Suspension was ever served on your client,” Masto wrote. “In this matter, Mr. Diaz was properly served with a ‘Notice of Hearing on Temporary Suspension’ and he failed to appear at the hearing. The Commission temporarily suspended Mr. Diaz’s license at the hearing. Neither Mr. Diaz nor you objected in any manner to the temporary suspension.”
Under a “Summary” Suspension, the Nevada rules state that a hearing on the merits must occur within 45 days after the suspension. However, Nevada contends that the suspension was “Temporary” which does not come under the 45 day rule. A hearing on the temporary suspension was not attended by Diaz or his attorney. The Nevada AG also argues that Diaz’s failure to produce his medical marijuana card caused the delay in part. Nevada claims it will proceed with a hearing on the suspension although no date has been set. Meanwhile, the injunction hearing against the Diaz suspension will occur on May 14th.
Payout Perspective:
This post should clarify (h/t to Jonathan Tweedale) a previous tweet in which I stated that Nevada was responding to the lawsuit when in fact it was the lawsuit was the response to the letter sent by Nevada. One thing is correct from the tweet, in law, you have to read carefully. The timeline of events is important here considering Nevada’s letter to Diaz’s attorney regarding the status of suspension and the failure for Diaz to object to the suspension. Still, the Court will determine the status of the injunction on May 14th. This may clarify the status of the suspension and hopefully the commission will set a hearing date for it to hear the merits of the case.
White threatens no UFC in CA if AB 2100 passes
April 29, 2012
UFC head Dana White has threatened to cease holding events in the state of California if a controversial piece of legislation passes in the state. Assembly Bill 2100 was introduced last Wednesday and is supported by the Culinary Workers Union while opposed by the UFC among others.
Via San Jose Mercury:
(Assembly member Luis) Alejo wants to eliminate what he sees as abusive contracts, freeing up fighters to make Assembly Bill 2100 would prevent promoters from claiming unreasonable future merchandising rights, prevent unreasonable restrictions on fighters’ seeking outside sponsors and prohibit other onerous contract provisions.
Dana White told the OC Register:
“Do you know what’s going on in Sacramento, right now?” White said. “They are trying to pass this bill to raise our taxes and do a bunch of crazy (expletive) to us. They voted 4-2 for the bill. There were a couple of people not present to vote on it. If that thing passes we won’t do anymore fights in California. All kinds of crazy (expletive) they’re trying to throw in this bill for MMA. You know who’s doing it? The Culinary Union from Las Vegas. These guys have been (expletive) with us in New York, too. That’s why we’re not in New York. These guys got a bunch of lobbyists together to try to pass this bill against MMA. They are putting pressure on my partners, the Fertitta brothers, because they own the fourth-largest gaming company in the country and they are non-union.”
More info on AB 2100 can be found in our previous post.
H/t: Bloody Elbow
Payout Perspective:
Would it hurt the UFC economically if it did not run events in either New York or California? It’s an intriguing question considering the UFC derives most of its income from PPV revenues and many of its live events are expanding to new areas or in Las Vegas. The UFC is expanding internationally and could find new venues in the US to hold events. Still, not holding events in the two biggest states in America does seem odd. The self-imposed ban on the state of California would affect Strikeforce more than it would the UFC. Although the UFC held its biggest event in Anaheim (UFC on Fox 1), Strikeforce has held events in San Jose or San Diego more often than the UFC has held events in the states. Of course, we do note that UFC on Fuel TV 4 will be in San Jose and UFC on Fox 4 will be in LA. So, maybe the strategy is to stress the economic impact Zuffa creates in the state with the 2 upcoming events and threaten that this will all end if AB 2100 passes.
