Fox Latino News reports that Showtime Networks may still be looking for an MMA organization to put on its network. Showtime Sports’ lead Stephen Espinoza indicated that they may still be interested in MMA at a press tour stop for the Maywether-Alvarez fight.
Espinoza indicated that there might be too much MMA on telelvision at the point but Showtime was still investigating whether there is a market for more..
Espinoza hinted at the idea that the all-women’s MMA organization, Invicta FC was a possibility to air on its network. But its pure conjecture at this point.
Payout Perspective:
Would an MMA organization on Showtime benefit the network? Most organizations (excluding the UFC and Bellator) would certainly benefit from exposure on Showtime. Espinoza’s concern that there may be too much MMA programming on television is valid. But, if he could do for MMA what he’s been able to do for its boxing programming, Showtime may be able to bolster another sports property on the Showtime network. One issue may be whether Showtime would want to invest its resources into MMA programming. Next, how much control would Showtime have in producing the product. Showtime ran into this issue when Dana White took over Strikeforce events.
It would be tough for them to achieve something on the level of what they had in Strikeforce. I’m all for more MMA on TV, but I hope that Invicta specifically does not move to the network; it just doesn’t seem like a good fit.
I like the fit Machiel, it wont be what they had with SF but with Cyborg, Rowdy Bec, Thug Rose, Coenen, Penne, Karatie Hottie and other good females I think they can carve out a nice niche on Showtime.
Only thing that would need to get worked out is the Zuffa sharing thing. I think SHannon would have to tell Showtime that she is gonna let BW go to UFC and they are gonna send female to her if the need a fight. That Showtime cant lock them into exclusive deals and keep fighters from moving to the uFC.
I think SHowtime would agree cause right now its only one div, its not like UFC is gonna swoop in and take everyone.
So as long as that doesnt happen I think a move to showtime would be perfect for Invicta. I for one thing its def better than PPV, even a 15 dollar PPV which Is fine, I’ll support Invicta and their cards but that Cyborg/Coenen card on Showtime would have been much better and bigger imo.
Hahahahahah! Christine knows WOMEN MMA fighters by name.
What a GEEK!
Yeah I know, I actually love the sport and follow it.
See I come here and go on other sites to actually discuss the sport, I dont go to sites/forums to troll like you do.
and lol at Christine, what are you 8? You got me good dude, you called me a girls name, wow.
Hahahahahahaha!
Relax Christine, I get it. You follow WMMA… hahahahahahaha!
Too much mma on television? Or not enough demand? ..how many games of football and basketball do we see on tv in a week……
Sampson finds it humor in people following a sport they love. Guess when all you do is troll mma sites you cant understand things like that.
Sampson what other sites do you troll? Whats your Sherdog, mmajunkie, UG, Bloodyelbow account names?
Sampson Simpleton is a clown.
I think it would be a big mistake for Invicta to go to Showtime. IF they do they will be closed down within 5 years. I would actually give them 2-3 years. Showtime doesn’t care about MMA. They want cheep ratings. Strikeforce was only successful as a rookie company. Once they had to start paying fighters and having operating cost of a successful promotion. They started losing money. Showtime was never going to pay them and they had no chance to resign their fighters.
Showtime will try to market it as a side show to get quick ratings like they did Elite XC. Because right now WMMA would do a fraction of male MMA ratings. They will not settle for that. Soon the UFC is going to make people care for WMMA as a real sport and Invicta will be a player and a breeding ground for talent. If they are with SF they will never get paid by Showtime to keep their fighters. So they are going to be a feeder either way. But Showtime will burry them in the process.
To be honest if Showtime was serious about MMA and wanted in it for the long haul. They would start their own promotion and sign the fighters themselves. They are already signing boxers to individual contracts and they could do the same in MMA. But it is cheaper for them to low ball a young promotion and milk them for a few years then sever ties. They make even more profit with no long term commitment.
Wmma is currently a joke. It will improve. only an hourlong cyborg vs rousey would be justified.
wmma is a joke? So you dont watch it I assume? Shows why you say its a joke, if you actually followed it and watched Invicta cards you’d know they have been been great.
But cant expect someone who thinks Tim Kennedy is one of the UFC’s most marketable stars to know anything about the sport.
I find WMMA to be just as entertaining as men’s MMA. Are there male fighters who are arguably more technically skilled and have superior athletic abilities than their female counterparts? Sure, but that has no bearing on the fights being exciting, and the impressive, admirable display of fighting spirit that the women have displayed thus far. What’s undeniable is that there are enough fans of WMMA to make its promotion a viable business venture.
Laughing at people for being fans of female athletics is sexist and bigoted. There’s really no sensible discourse to be had with people who would purport such an ignorant and inherently immature point of view. If you happen to find that you are such a person, I would implore you to grow up.
I think some of the fights entertaining. But the skill level is so low that it effects my entertainment level. Outside the top few girls the skill level is bordering on kids on a playground. But that has to be expected. That is why I think Invixta needs to take it slow. The UFC is doing it right by giving girls a goal and putting on a few fights at a time and giving them time to evolve. An all girls promotion or to many girl fights when they are not real in the public eye will be devastating.
Right now there is a wave of interest because of Rousey. BUt it would be crazy to jump into a TV deal based on current interest that isn’t sustainable. IF Rousey loses then a majority of that interest leaves. It will take time to build a real fan base. IF Rousey loses and the interest leaves. They will get booted off the network and it failed experiment will keep them from getting another chance. There was a big drop off in interest after Gina lost. I can only imagine what will happen when Ronda loses. If it isn’t to someone marketable it will hurt.
Just because the UFC doesn’t market him properly doesn’t mean he isn’t marketable. You are missing that difference. They could do the same with him as Brian Stann (who won’t sniff a title shot), yet they haven’t at this moment. But wait until he gets his UFC wins going! Then you can take your foot out of your mouth Chris.
Tim kennedy that is.
I actually agree with BS on this issue, and it is why I think WMMA is a joke. I saw that fight between Mcmann and the German tank lady, and it was a one sided beat down. As is any fight so far involving Rousey, or Cyborg. The talent pool is too thin for it to be considered competitive. WMMA peaked with Cyborg and Carano, then vanished when they did, and has only emerged with One trick Rousey. What if she loses? WMMA has all of its eggs in one basket currently.
Tate vs Zingano was a very competitive fight. Rosi Sexton, while clearly outmatched going in, put up a good fight against Alexis Davis. One sided beat-downs happen in the men’s fights all the time.
the level between cyborg and rouseye and their opponents is greater than that of say anderson silva and his opponents. People actually think his opponents stand a remote chance of victory.