The Sports Business Journal had an article in this week’s edition about the UFC and its move to grow after a record year in 2021.
Dana White stated that it sold “around 8.4 to 8.5 million units” this year in an interview on “The Jim Rome Show.” The PPV buy rates for UFC shows this year have been a boon due in part to two Conor McGregor cards as well as several other shows stacked with interesting fights. The UFC has drawn praise from both Disney and Endeavor.
As noted in its earnings call a couple weeks ago, it believes there are areas to grow sponsorships. In addition to its big add with Crypto.com and extensions with Modelo and Monster Energy, the company believes it will add an official insurer and quick stop restaurant sponsor.
This past weekend, it unveiled Timex as its official watch sponsor.
It’s been a big year for the UFC and its sponsorship department has reaped the benefits.
Per our previous post on Endeavor earnings a look at UFC sponsors it recently inked:
Some of the latest deals include:
IconMeals
Love Hemp
Stake.com
Crypto.com
Sweet Sweat
The Memento Group
Battle Motors
Pedalcommander
Easypost
Gopuff
Ziprecruiter
The company aims to push to do more things in the Meta verse and is making a push with new technology such as the latest move to solicit NFTs. This past weekend was one of the first times that the company has advertised NFTs from the UFC.
Also mentioned in the article, is the push for ancillary projects to come from the UFC including Dana White’s eating/cooking show “F_ck it Fridays.”
Payout Perspective:
The UFC has been an early-adapter in most technologies, so the lag in getting NFTs out seems unfamiliar to the brand. One would think that it would get into the Meta World sooner than later. UFC Fight Pass has done well considering the need for fans to subscribe to ESPN+ as well. As for sponsors, Endeavor’s business reputation/contacts and the UFC growth are attractive to companies looking to tap into a young demo with income to spend.
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