UFC Ditches Pay-Per-View Model

The Athletic writes, “UFC fans will be able to watch fights for the first time without pay-per-view costs starting in 2026, ushering in a radical change to how viewers have accessed bouts for years.”

August 12, 2025

UFC Dropping ‘Pay-Per-View’ Model for Fights With Move to Paramount+ in 2026
The Athletic’s Jenna West writes, “UFC fans will be able to watch fights for the first time without pay-per-view costs starting in 2026, ushering in a radical change to how viewers have accessed bouts for years. The promotion reached a seven-year, $7.7 billion media-rights deal with Paramount, making the media giant the exclusive home of all UFC events in the U.S. starting next year. Fans will be able to watch UFC’s full slate of 13 marquee numbered events and 30 ‘Fight Nights’ on Paramount+, and select events will also air on CBS.”

Mark Shapiro, president and COO of TKO, said the deal will mean “deeper engagement for UFC’s passionate fan base” and that its athletes “will love this new stage.”
^{The Athletic}

White: Contender Series Not Necessarily Destined for Paramount; Zuffa Deal Done
SBJ’s Adam Stern writes, “One piece of UFC’s content that was not announced today as going to Paramount was Dana White’s Contender Series … The show launched in 2017 and acts as a breeding ground of sorts for aspiring MMA fighters who want to make it to UFC. The show airs on Tuesday nights on ESPN+ in the U.S., and often ends in White awarding UFC contracts to the fighters who stood out with exciting or dominating performances.

“Asked today about the Contender Series not being mentioned, and whether that was a sign that the show could end up somewhere other than Paramount, White told SBJ: ‘Yeah. That could be split up. We’ll see how that plays out.’”
^{Sports Business Journal}

New York’s WNBA title, Tie-Up With Liberty Mutual Has Been a Sponsorship Boon
SBJ’s Tom Friend writes, “In less than 24 hours after their title, the Liberty shattered the WNBA’s previous all-time 30-day record for championship merch sales. It wasn’t just Liberty Mutual signing on for 2025: It was Pinterest, Fanatics, Amtrak, Essie, New York Lottery, Lola and Flamingo, among others. It was increased local media rights deals with Fox 5 and My 9, putting the team in 7.5 million New York-area homes. It was sponsorship revenue climbing by 50% YOY. It was ticket sales in Barclays Center’s upper bowl rising 68% YOY. It was overall social media engagement spiking 665%. It was e-commerce sales widening 58% YOY. It was in-arena merch on non-game days climbing by 241% YOY, which means random fans were just stopping by.”
^{Sports Business Journal}

NFL Lobbying Blitz Shows Political Pitfalls for ESPN Deal
FOS’ Ben Horney writes, “The NFL and ESPN are touting their blockbuster pact as a win for fans, but the road to closing could be bumpy, as evidenced by the fact that the league has reportedly already begun a lobbying blitz on Capitol Hill.

“The ‘non-binding’ agreement sees the league taking a 10% equity stake in the broadcaster, with ESPN picking up NFL Network and the rights to distribute RedZone to pay-TV operators. The stake is valued at between $2 billion and $3 billion, according to The Wall Street Journal. If approved, the NFL would continue to own RedZone and retain digital rights. It represents the latest in a string of transactions in which media partners are taking equity stakes in the leagues they televise and cover.”
^{Front Office Sports}

NBA Christmas Schedule Leans on LeBron, Steph While Betting on Flagg
FOS’ Colin Salao writes, “Christmas Day, once associated exclusively with the NBA, has turned into a head-to-head battle with the NFL in recent years. Even LeBron James acknowledged that last year. The NBA is once again turning to the trio of James, Steph Curry, and Kevin Durant to carry its 2025 Christmas Day slate—despite criticisms of the league’s inability to market its young stars. But there are a few interesting wrinkles in the Christmas lineup that show it’s trying to spotlight its newcomers.”
^{Front Office Sports}

ESPN and Fox One to Offer Bundled Streaming Service
ESPN’s upcoming DTC service and Fox One, Fox Corporation’s DTC streaming service, are giving consumers the opportunity to purchase the two services bundled together starting October 2 for $39.99 per month (ESPN). THE WRAP’s Lucas Manfredi notes the move comes after “the two media giants scrapped Venu Sports,” a streaming joint venture that also included Warner Bros. Discovery, after “facing allegations that the service would be anticompetitive.”
^{Sports Business Journal}

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Pick Six: College Football Coaches on the Hot Seat Entering 2025
AP News’ Maura Carey writes, “With rising expectations in competitive conferences, money flowing directly to players and unforgiving fan bases, the pressure has never been higher across college football. Six coaches who could very well be on the hot seat — from warm to scorching — entering the 2025 season…”
^{AP News}

Clemson Athletics Spending More Than Ever in 2025. How Are They Paying for It?
The State’s Chapel Fowler writes, “The House settlement that allows colleges to share money directly with their athletes and add more scholarships is coming with a $26 million price tag for Clemson. Which begs the question: How’s Clemson going to afford that? TOP VIDEOS The video player is currently playing an ad. The short answer, per Clemson athletic director Graham Neff, is this: His department expects to increase total revenue by about $40 million from last year to this year. That means Clemson athletics — which made $193.9 million in fiscal year 2024 — will generate well over $200 million in annual revenue going forward.”
^{The State}

Universities Must Do the Math: Football or Gold Medals?
Joe Moglia writes, “College athletics are a critical pipeline for American Olympians. Without the support of universities, small, nonrevenue sports — from fencing to volleyball, to crew and beyond — will wither, and with them, our medal count. This is only going to accelerate as more administrators and athletic directors come to terms with the costs of being competitive in football and basketball.”
^{Sports Business Journal}

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