MMA Fighting reports that Demetrious Johnson’s recognizable sponsorship with Xbox is in question as a result of the UFC-Reebok deal. Although the Microsoft-owned video game platform has not necessarily severed times with Johnson, there is nothing currently on the horizon for the 125 pound champion.
Johnson was the only UFC contracted fighter to have an exclusive deal with Xbox prior to the new sponsorship rules implemented by the UFC on July1. Johnson’s trainer, Matt Hume, brokered the deal between Xbox and Demetrious Johnson. As many know, Johnson’s home gym, AMC is in Kirkland, Washington and Microsoft headquarters is located not too far away in Redmond, Washington (as an aside, Google has an office down the block from AMC but that’s here nor there).
Johnson indicated during a UFC media event in Los Angeles that Xbox was pleased with the sponsorship and liked the fact that he fought on Fox. One might infer that the Xbox brand was seen by more viewers during the network cards on Fox rather than when Johnson fought on PPV. Johnson has fought on 3 UFC on Fox cards and 2 UFC on FX cards. Per the MMA Fighting, Johnson seemed to infer that he made more money from his Xbox sponsorship when he fought on Fox than he did when he fought on PPV.
Although Xbox has not officially severed ties, it appears that Johnson will not be involved in any out of the octagon promotions by the company but he indicated that he’s “still in touch.”
Being the company person, Johnson lauded the new sponsorship policy indicating that he’ll be getting $40,000 from Reebok (per the champion payout). He also brought up the prior issues he had with sponsors in the WEC and the fact that he no longer has to seek out sponsors. Of course, he had been sponsored solely by Xbox for over 4 years.
Payout Perspective:
We wrote about the relationship Johnson had with Xbox back in February 2011. Xbox had been the only sponsor for Johnson and now the relationship seems to be put on ice. It was a blue chip sponsor in the target demo for the UFC. Yet, due to the arrangement brokered by the UFC that opportunity is over. The ending of the relationship likely hurts Johnson financially more than he is willing to talk about in public. One would hope that there are opportunities down the road for Johnson to make out of Octagon appearances for the company. I
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