[Centraal] MMA topic #14 Pride of a Champion

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Pro Elite, Inc., the parent company of Elite Xtreme Combat, today confirmed the news that MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com) broke on Wednesday: the fight promotion has inked a deal with the CBS Television Network that will put MMA on major network TV for the first time in history.

According to the press release, the two companies have signed a multi-year agreement that calls for four live EliteXC events per year. The two-hour live primetime specials will be held on Saturday nights.

“Mixed martial arts is one of the fastest-growing sports in the country and a wildly popular entertainment vehicle for upscale, young adult audiences,” Senior Executive Vice President of CBS Primetime Kelly Kahl stated. “It’s original programming for Saturday night. It’s live, creating an event-atmosphere, and it’s something that hasn’t been seen on network television, until now.“

The International Fight League previously broadcast on MyNetworkTV, which is technically considered a “network.” However, it’s the lowest-rated of the six major US English-language commercial broadcast networks — and its overall audience pales in comparison to a broadcast staple such as CBS.

“Our world-class fighters and the high production value of our events continue to drive ProElite as a global MMA organization that is fortified by the bedrock foundation of a partnership with CBS,” EliteXC President Gary Shaw stated. “Broadcasting our events on CBS will instantly engage a new fan base, as well as provide an opportunity for EliteXC to further establish itself as the world’s premier MMA organization.“

Other than confirming that CBS and ProElite.com will work on some joint online ventures to promote the events, today’s announcement confirmed few additional details of the deal.

So, for information about the deal and its possible ramifications (including Kevin “Kimbo Slice” Ferguson as a likely headliner), check out MMAjunkie.com’s original report and our follow-up story.

EliteXC was founded as a partnership with Showtime Networks in 2006. Showtime is owned by CBS.

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COLUMBUS, Ohio — The Ultimate Fighting Championship has inked a three-year deal with Anheuser Busch, arguably the biggest sports marketer of them all, that will go into effect at UFC 84 in May.

The deal, which will focus solely on the Bud Light brand, was announced today at a pre-UFC 82 press conference at Nationwide Arena — the same Columbus, Ohio venue that hosts Saturday’s pay-per-view event.

Early this morning, the UFC’s official website stated that a “special announcement” would be made at today’s press gathering. MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com) first reported that it would likely be the unveiling of a new blue-chip sponsor.

And as far as blue-chip sponsors go, they don’t get much bigger than Anheuser-Busch. The St. Louis-based brewer is responsible for 48.5 percent of all beer sales domestically. The company, founded in 1852, brews more than 40 different beers and malt liquors.

However, the deal with the UFC will focus solely on the Bud Light brand. In addition to becoming the exclusive beer sponsor for the UFC, the brand will be showcased with the UFC’s sister organization, World Extreme Cagefighting, as well as future seasons of “The Ultimate Fighter” reality series on Spike TV. The WEC deal begins June 1.

“The UFC has developed a huge following in recent years and is wildly popular with the 21-34 year old fans we want to reach,” stated Tony Ponturo, vice president of global media and sports marketing for Anheuser-Busch, Inc. “The number of people attending live events, buying the pay-per-views and talking about UFC around the water cooler continues to grow. It⤙s just a great place for us to be”

Financial terms of the deal were not released.

Bud Light signage will appear prominently in UFC events, including on the cage’s mat and on vertical posts/bumpers. Signage will also be displayed during UFC weigh-ins and press conferences.

“Seriously, this is a historic moment for the UFC,” UFC president Dana White said.

Bud Light will be the presenting sponsor of UFC pay-per-views twice per year. It’ll also become the official beer sponsor of UFC Fight Night events on Spike TV.