TLDR - In a long term goal to sell the UFC, did Zuffa bring in Reebok and USADA to help make the UFC more mainstream and increase the overall value of the company?
While the UFC is highly profitable (estimated at ~$50-$200M a year), that doesn't seem to match the $4B+ price tag the UFC sold for. That means the Buyers and bidders saw significant growth potential for the sport and brand. Since WME IMG is a sports/marketing company it further indicates that the new owners see the MMA becoming more "mainstream." With Ronda and Conor, the UFC demonstrated by luck or skill they were able to create some mainstream stars.
USADA - In my opinion the UFC has done a great job turning the sport from human cockfighting to a legitimate sport. It's pretty much accepted and regulated in every US state along with many countries, but to many people it's still a niche sport. Being able to bring in the USADA was a move to bring more legitimacy, without introducing a governing body that would potentially cause the UFC headaches. IMO, it's like giving the fighters health insurance to deincentivize the fighters to try and unionize. While the negatives involve losing big name fights and dollars due to fighters getting busted for PED's, in the long run, Zuffa can point to the USADA and say they're doing everything in their power to make the sport legitimate.
Reebok - While Nascar has logos plastered everywhere, most major sports do not. While I miss the condom depot ads plastered across the ass of fighters, most people saw it as a money grab for Zuffa to control the sponsorship dollars of the fighters. I'm wondering if this was really a ploy to get rid of "undesirable" companies attached to the UFC same.
My question is, do you think Zuffa had planned on selling the UFC years ago? Did they sacrifice short term profit in order to increase the value of the brand? Was the FOX deal more about prestige of being on network TV versus profit?
While the UFC is highly profitable (estimated at ~$50-$200M a year), that doesn't seem to match the $4B+ price tag the UFC sold for. That means the Buyers and bidders saw significant growth potential for the sport and brand. Since WME IMG is a sports/marketing company it further indicates that the new owners see the MMA becoming more "mainstream." With Ronda and Conor, the UFC demonstrated by luck or skill they were able to create some mainstream stars.
USADA - In my opinion the UFC has done a great job turning the sport from human cockfighting to a legitimate sport. It's pretty much accepted and regulated in every US state along with many countries, but to many people it's still a niche sport. Being able to bring in the USADA was a move to bring more legitimacy, without introducing a governing body that would potentially cause the UFC headaches. IMO, it's like giving the fighters health insurance to deincentivize the fighters to try and unionize. While the negatives involve losing big name fights and dollars due to fighters getting busted for PED's, in the long run, Zuffa can point to the USADA and say they're doing everything in their power to make the sport legitimate.
Reebok - While Nascar has logos plastered everywhere, most major sports do not. While I miss the condom depot ads plastered across the ass of fighters, most people saw it as a money grab for Zuffa to control the sponsorship dollars of the fighters. I'm wondering if this was really a ploy to get rid of "undesirable" companies attached to the UFC same.
My question is, do you think Zuffa had planned on selling the UFC years ago? Did they sacrifice short term profit in order to increase the value of the brand? Was the FOX deal more about prestige of being on network TV versus profit?
