The Dave and Mahoney Show sat down with Reed Harris to discuss many things related to the WEC including talk about the company’s debut on PPV this May.
There’s more to the interview than just talk of the PPV, but here’s a summary of the more pertinent points:
- WEC 48: Aldo vs. Faber will happen in May on PPV
- Harris believes Aldo-Faber could be one of the greatest fights ever
- No location yet; looking at announcement in next few days or weeks
- Harris wants $44.95 for price, but it’s not decided yet
- He thinks hardcore fans will pay for the fight, and believes he’ll be able to bring casual fights in for fight
Payout Perspective:
The UFC brand has built a tremendous amount of goodwill over the last 5 years, which is why it can be guaranteed to pull 300,000 buys on every card regardless of its actual quality. While the WEC’s card might be just as entertaining as those of the UFC, the perception in the mind of the consumer will likely be very different. Thus, charging $44.95 will be a difficult sell for the company.
The price the WEC sets for this card also has to fit with its long-term objectives. If the WEC is looking to establish a sustainable PPV business model, then the price of its cards must be a consistent reflection of the perceived quality that consumers are getting out of their purchase. In other words, if the plan is for more than just one WEC PPV, this price must be a function of not just what Aldo-Faber are worth, but the brand’s equity and its host of offerings moving forward.
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The topic also leads into an interesting discussion as to what the follow-up plan may be: whom do they use in the 2nd PPV, how do they work to build the equity in more than just the main event guys, what is required of their PR/marketing team to get that brand image to the next level, etc.
I am not interested in paying for a WEC PPV, and I am one of 3 serious MMA fans, among a group of @20 MMA fans. What I AM interested in seeing, is the WEC merge with UFC, so we can get 2+ more weight-classes/champions into UFC PPV rotation, and pay those fighters more then they are making in WEC. I personally want this, not just because of the UFC brand-name, but because it brings more fighters under one-common umbrella, instead of being seen as unrelated/weaker/marginalized.
But the brand-side of things makes me want this to happen, so my other friends can better appreciate good fights they are missing Because no amount of work on my part is getting them to my house to watch these fighters under a non-UFC banner.
Most of my friends that visit to watch UFC PPVs, don’t show up for WEC or Strikeforce events. The majority don’t watch the events, even though free/”free” on TV. That tells me what everyone else already knows, about the power of the UFC brand.
Just merge the two companies already. Fighters would get paid what they deserve and their fights would get the attention they deserve.
May we’ll have a $44.95 UFC PPV and a WEC PPV $44.95? I’m getting the UFC PPV. Sorry WEC.
Actually, the current schedule will have 2 UFC PPV shows and a WEC show. Yikes.
Imo, I think the UFC will need to add the two lower weight-classes anyway, if they plan on entering Japan with any sort of force. It is inevitable.
Not thinking this decision will be a good one for either the UFC or WEC. Oh well, there is always some fans out there that will pay for any event so they should get at least 10K buys.
Terrible to charge $45! I’m already at my limit for UFC PPVs…my wife would triangle choke me if I bought another one for that price. I recently got fios and loving HDNET – it’s already too much mma content to keep up with. No way I’ll pay for the wec on ppv unless it’s $19.95.
Dana: Please, please merge wec and ufc and end this silliness
Rome:
Yeah, and that’s the other thing. The boxing fight, two UFC cards, a bunch of bellator shows…that’s a lot of combat sports in May.
Edit: Mike has good post over at BE:
http://www.bloodyelbow.com/2010/1/30/1284035/memo-to-wec-doing-a-ppv-in-may-is
I really do not like Reed Harris. He comes across as arrogant to me. I was hopefule for the WEC pulling this PPV thing off until I heard he wants to charge $44.95. I mean give me a break. He is thinking only hardcore fans will get it so he is going to hit us all over the head with a ridiculous price to make up for the lack of interest among casual fans.