According to a report from Front Office Sports, the PFL is seeking to acquire Bellator from Paramount. The report cites sources with knowledge of the deal, but with caution that the acquisition could fall through.
Bellator is valued at approximately $500 million and the transaction would be primarily cash although the parent company of Bellator, Paramount, would receive some equity in the league.
This week the PFL announced that the Saudi Arabia Public Investment Fund invested $100 million into the company. The deal caused a stir as Endeavor and WWE stock seemed to be affected by the news with both seeing downturns in price on Thursday.
There was speculation that Bellator’s 300th show set for the beginning of October would be its last under the current regime with Scott Coker at the helm. Paramount declined comment on the report.
Payout Perspective:
If the transaction were to go through, it could create a new, perceived second biggest MMA promotion in the world next to the UFC. With the deal, the marketplace for fighters could increase pay with more competition for talent. Combining Bellator and PFL fighters could create intriguing matchups and bolster PFL’s PPV division. The investment from Saudi Arabia should bolster the PFL and help it compete for talent. Based on the moves made by the PFL in the past year, one would think that the deal with Bellator is inevitable.
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