The Sports Business Journal reports that Top Rank Boxing has signed AT&T as a sponsor to a six month deal that will include some of its marquee fights in 2012. The deal includes the anticipated “Super Fight” between Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather, Jr. in May.
The details of the pact include Pacquiao’s May fight as well as two to three premium cable tv fights which AT&T need not choose until two weeks prior to the fight. Additionally, the two companies agreed to a list of fighters that AT&T would find acceptable to sponsor.
Financial terms of the sponsorship were not disclosed although its believed that the deal could be worth in excess of $1 million due to Pacquiao and the rise in value of sponsorships for his fights.
Sponsorship would include logo placement on the ring mat and broadcast area. According to the Sports Business Journal, “It would also include arena and local activation rights, to use video and images in advertising and promotional materials and fight tickets.”
Payout Perspective:
The sponsorship deal appears to hedge the potential for a Pacquiao-Mayweather fight in 2012 although both camps still seem at an impasse. The deal boosts Top Rank’s sponsorship profile and allows AT&T the flexibility to pick and choose when it wants to involve its brand in a particular fight. Perhaps AT&T had the extra money as the deal was reported the same day it dropped its bid to purchase T-Mobile.
AT&T was a main sponsor of the Cotto/Margarito rematch, something I’d have thought Tecate would’ve wrapped up. Glad to see a promoter latch on to a larger sponsor.
Wouldn’t this create another road block for the “super fight”? Pac is selling ad space on the ring and venue of a fight they haven’t even agreed who will promote and make these decisions. Just seems weird that he can sell space and rights to an event that is at least 50% FMJ’s. Sounds like just something else that would have to be negotiated for the fight to happen.