The UFC may be on the verge of a significant shift in its broadcasting strategy, with Dana White, the promotion’s president, hinting at the possibility of moving away from the pay-per-view model. Speaking during the post-fight press conference for UFC 314 in Miami, White addressed the upcoming expiration of the exclusive negotiating window with ESPN, which ends on April 15.
UFC Open to Ditching Pay-Per-View Model, Says Dana White
This marks the first step in exploring new broadcast partnerships as the UFC’s current deal with ESPN approaches its conclusion at the end of 2025. White emphasized that the future of the UFC’s PPV model will largely depend on its next broadcast partner, possibly Netflix.
“It’s usually we do what works for the network,” Dana White said. “What do they want to do? Do they want to just put it on their air? Do they want to do pay-per-view? Do they want to put it behind a paywall? I don’t know any of those things. Tuesday, the window opens and we start talking to other networks and we’ll get more into that.”
The UFC’s current deal with ESPN, signed in 2018 and extended in 2019 to include PPV events, has been valued at $1.5 billion over seven years. While White expressed his appreciation for ESPN, he remained open to exploring other options. “I like ESPN,” Dana White said. “We had a bit of a rocky start, which is normal in any relationship, but we’re in a great place with ESPN. Whether we re-sign with them or do not, I have nothing but great things to say about my time at ESPN.”
The potential departure from ESPN could lead to a variety of broadcasting scenarios, including partnerships with multiple networks or streaming platforms. Rumors have already surfaced about possible deals with companies like Netflix or Amazon Prime Video, both of which have shown interest in combat sports. Dana White also hinted at broader changes beyond the PPV model, such as adjustments to the number of annual events and how they align with network programming needs. “Most of the time when you do these deals, you’re catering to what the network needs,” he noted.
Reports suggest that the organization is targeting over $1 billion annually from potential partners. When asked about this figure, White responded simply, “Sounds good to me.”
