Report: Miller Lite signs on to be Bellator MMA title sponsor

Sports Business Journal’s John Ourand reports that Miller Lite has signed on to be Bellator MMA’s official title sponsor for its 16 events this year.

No financial details were reported.  The deal will go across Spike TV platforms (we assume this means online including the Spike TV App) including  on-air branded fight clock graphic and press-conference signage.

Miller Lite has been involved in sponsorship of Bellator events in the past and was known as the official bear for the company.  The official deal begins February 27th at Bellator 134.

Payout Perspective:

According to the report, its the biggest deal for Miller Lite in MMA .  The deal can be seen as Miller Lite affirming its support of Bellator and its new strategy.  As we know, Bud Light owns the center of the Octagon in the UFC (actually Budweiser was the center for the last PPV but you get the point).  The move shows the positive momentum for Bellator MMA as it heads into a big year for the organization.  For Miller Lite, we shall see if it makes additional moves in combat sports.  With Spike TV repackaging Friday nights with a combat sports focus, it would be interesting to see if Miller Lite brokers other deals with Glory or Premier Boxing Champions.