The Sports Business Journal reported about the possibility of Showtime surpassing HBO Boxing for marquee fights and fighters. The article underscores the change at the top of each network’s sports divisions as a possible reason.
SBJ (subscription required) points to the Andre Berto-Victor Ortiz rematch, which many believe was the Fight of the Year for 2011, as evidence that Showitme is making a move on HBO. Also, changes at the top of each network’s sport division may be the reason for the sudden competition for boxing rights. Ross Greenburg left HBO last year and was replaced by Showtime head Ken Hershman. Hersman, as some recall, butted heads with Dana White regarding negotiations with Strikeforce. This may have been one of the reasons that Showtime and Zuffa were able to strike a new deal for Strikeforce late last year. Showtime replaced Hershman with Golden Boy’s former attorney Stephen Espinoza.
Espinoza’s quickly moved on the Berto-Ortiz rematch as Showtime paid only $100,000 more than HBO: $2.2 million.
The article also indicates that HBO’s budget “will be about $35 million this year, about half of what it spent as recently as five years ago.” On the other hand, Showtime will increase its budget to at least $28 million.
Payout Perspective:
This will be an intriguing year for boxing fans as we may see a shift of key fights moving from HBO to Showtime. Last year, we saw that Showtime take the Pacquiao-Mosley fight only for HBO to step up an regain Pacquiao for Marquez as well as Miguel Cotto-Antonio Margarito. The SBJ points out that this is the first time in 20 years that there has been an authentic fight for US television rights.
The newfound bidding war in boxing can only help the sport and perhaps revitalize tv interest in the fight game. We’ve recently seen NBC Sports and Spike TV announce plans to feature boxing in its programming. The only question is how promoters plan to market their fighters. Right now, only a few boxers stand out and the rest are not known to the casual viewers.
Meh. I remember the old USA Fights, on Tuesdays I believe, but they had good up and coming fighters. Doubt anything like that would be recreated now. Just put on more MMA.
This hershman guy is a genius. He knows how to split his enemy’s. What boxing lacks is gyms. I think if some of the white mma guys converted to boxing full time they would make a killing financially in the ring. There are some tough as. Nails guys in those cages. Especially in the heavyweight division imagine s guy like Brock lesner if he could box. Oh my instead of the peanuts (500k ) dana was pimpin him out for the man woulda been a re life rocky. But in the end being white and big got him 500k so I guess he’s not complaining… Just sayin
If African Americans get really intrested in becoming mma fightes, they will whip up on the white guys, just like they do most of the time in boxing. Makes me wonder how popular the sport will be if that happens, with most fans being white. I could care less I love me some boxing, but you know some would be bothered by it.