The UFC is the only MMA organization currently employing the PPV business model, so it’s difficult to compare the company to anything other than its own historical data. However, by taking a look at the WWE – somewhat of a substitute, using the same business model – we can put some of the UFC’s success this year into context.
Here are updated YOY figures for both companies:
UFC
| January | 80 | 225,000 | 93 | 350,000 | |
| Superbowl | 81 | 600,000 | 94 | 800,000 | |
| March | 82 | 325,000 | 96 | 350,000 | |
| April | 83 | 530,000 | 97 | 650,000 | |
| May | 84 | 475,000 | 98 | 635,000 | |
| June | 85 | 215,000 | 99 | 365,000 | |
| July | 86 | 540,000 | 100 | 1,720,000 | |
| August | 87 | 625,000 | 101 | 900,000 | |
| September | 88 | 480,000 | 102 | 435,000 | |
| October | 90 | 300,000 | 103* | 375,000 |
| Total | 4,315,000 | Total | 6,580,000 | |
| Average | 441,875 | Average | 658,000 | |
| Median | 477,500 | Median | 375,000 | |
| YOY: | 52.49% |
WWE
2008 2009
| January | Royal Rumble | 575,000 | January | Royal Rumble | 450,000 | |
| February | No Way Out | 365,000 | February | No Way Out | 272,000 | |
| March | WrestleMania | 1,041,000 | March | WrestleMania | 960,000 | |
| April | Backlash | 210,000 | April | Backlash | 182,000 | |
| May | Judgement Day | 252,000 | May | Judgement Day | 228,000 | |
| June | One Night Stand | 200,000 | June | Extreme Rules | 213,000 | |
| June | Night of Champions | 286,000 | June | The Bash | 178,000 | |
| July | The Bash | 196,000 | July | Night of Champions | 267,000 | |
| August | SummerSlam | 477,000 | August | SummerSlam | 369,000 | |
| September | Unforgiven | 211,000 | September | Breaking Point | 169,000 | |
| October | No Mercy | 238,000 | October | Hell in a Cell | 264,000 | |
| Total | 4,051,000 | Total | 3,552,000 | |||
| Average | 368,273 | Average | 322,909 | |||
| Median | 252,000 | Median | 264,000 | |||
| YOY: | -12.32% |
(Credit Dave Meltzer for the latest WWE figures.)
Payout Perspective:
There are few interesting things to note here:
- The UFC is still up over 50% on its YOY buyrate total – even despite two (likely three when 104 is fully trended) sub-500k shows.
- The WWE’s buyrate has actually decreased by 12%.
- In isolation one might look at the WWE’s numbers and then point to the economy, but the UFC’s results could indicate otherwise. It’s also a company experiencing a degree of management turmoil right now as Shane McMahon has stepped down from his position as VP of Global Media in order to pursue other opportunities. It’s been rumoured that he may try his hand at MMA – something he’s been longing to do for some time (he’d shown interest in purchasing both the UFC and Pride in the past).
- Regardless of your feelings about professional wrestling, the business models are still too similar to ignore the comparison. The WWE currently earns anywhere between 28% to 30% of its revenues from international markets, and they’re hoping to push that number to 40% by 2011. Lorenzo Fertitta has indicated the UFC desires to have a similar diversificaiton within its revenue streams, which is why he’s been so aggressive in putting together international television deals and seeking regulation.
how accurate are Dave’s numbers. For example, UFC 100 I’ve seen conflicting reports of 1.5 million buys, as well UFC 101 in the 800 K range.
Dave has been the most accurate in the business for a long time. He has connections directly with the providers according to everything that I’ve heard.
Loves this piece. Thanks for writing it.
Dave is ussually very close most of the time. But there is times he is off. But the bottom line if there isnt anyone better. He is the best source the MMA community has. The biggest problem with getting accurate numbers is cable providers. There is just to many different ones and those are broken up into many others. After a PPV each small cable company has to report their numbers to their parent company and it takes a very long time for all the numbers to be collected. Dave has sources that give him the numbers they have but there is no way of knowing if they number has all the PPVs included as some companys may not have arrived. Especially when there is a rush to get the info to the public.
On top of all fo that going on. Each of the providers and Direct TV and Dish Network all are running the PPV where it can be purchased months after it was aired live. So there is always numbers coming in for the first few months.
This is all the info i have gathered from following it over the years. I could be wrong but thats how it seems to work. Even Dana White has said many times that the Final PPVs of an event wont be available for a couple months. All they really have is estimates. Thats why there is always many different numbers reported some times its just someone making something up. Other times its because the numbers are still trickling in.