JNPO: UFC knows more than us media dummies
Note: This is a free show. Just click below to listen or save the mp3.
The UFC and ESPN made a big splash this week as they announced U.S-based PPV purchases must go through ESPN+ starting in April, ending the era of UFC PPVs on traditional cable and satellite providers after 25 years.
And even though Dana White made it clear that the media knows nothing about his company’s business (hence the headline), I wanted to talk about it anyway and joining me this week is old friend Jason Cruz of MMA Payout, a website focused on the business of combat sports.
We went a little deeper into the deal and what might really be the impetus behind it:
- Is this a way to force the average UFC viewer to skew younger?
- The BAMTech technology that is powering ESPN+
- Why the amount of people watching shouldn’t be a concern
- How this could be a bigger play for ESPN PPV
- Why the data collected is really the crown jewel
We also talked about TJ Dillashaw dropping the UFC bantamweight title, the impending Ichiro Suzuki retirement, and an announcement about a project Jason has been working on.
Since 2011, Josh has been a contributing editor to Wrestling Observer/F4WOnline.com and also hosts the Punch-Out podcast. He has also written for Fight Magazine, Bloody Elbow, Bleacher Report, and other websites. He's a 2000 graduate of the University of Maine, worked in pro sports, and once was an indie ring announcer.