Roy Englebrecht, perhaps California’s most successful MMA/Boxing promoter, has divulged that he will be filming the pilot episode for a reality TV show called “The Promoter:”
“The Promoter”
Reality Show Pilot To Be Taped
Newport Beach, CA: When Southern California fight promoter Roy Englebecht promotes his first ever hybrid Battle In The Ballroom boxing and mixed martial arts two day extravaganza this coming Thursday and Friday, December 17th and 18th at the Irvine Marriott hotel, besides having to direct the entire two day operation, he and his three person staff will be trailed for three days by a Southern California production company, taping every move, every command, every decision, and every situation they make. It is all part of a new reality show pilot that is being created for a 2010 show to be called The Promoter.
“I was approached about four years ago by a producer who knew I did about 20 shows a year, and because I was a successful hands-on club/minor league fight promoter, he felt that what I did show-in and show-out would make a great reality show,” said Englebrecht. “But I really didn’t feel comfortable having camera crews follow me around 24/7, plus I didn’t want to bring so much attention to myself. But now that I have a company with four full time employees, plus now we are finally combining both boxing and mma on our Battle In The Ballroom shows and enjoying our best year ever, my staff told me we needed to do this, so I said OK.”
“I can’t say much more about what is happening regarding this project, but the producer and production company have been in pitch meetings with several networks and the interest is there,” explained Englebrecht. “They feel that with the all the shows we do, like the Battle In The Ballroom and other venues such as HP Pavilion, San Manuel Indian Bingo & Casino, the Orange County Fair and Big Fresno Fair, plus my Fight Promoter University sessions, that there is enough content to create and sustain a reality show series.”
Big crowds are expected at both shows this week and Englebrecht’s matchmaker Arnold Berber has put together two nights of exciting fights so the energy in the room should make for good television. Doors open on both nights at 6:30pm with the first bout set for a 7:30pm walk in. Tickets can be purchased online at www.battleintheballroom.com.
Payout Perspective:
Englebrecht has made a name for himself as one of the most reliable and consistent promoters in the country, much less the state. He’s run his Battle in the Ballroom show for years, added an MMA Fist series recently, and was the official promoter of record for each of Affliction’s two shows.
He’s also known to push the limits in regards to marketing promotion: trying to capitalize on the “clunkers” buzz in California with his own variation of the promotion last year (only involving tickets to his events), and now the reality show.
If done properly, the reality show would offer his promotion the chance at some great PR. It would also be a great teaching tool for young and old promoters alike – those looking to improve what they already do. However, it remains to be seen whether the episodes will turn out, and whether any significant network will pick up the show. That will be Roy’s biggest test.
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