By Jason Powell, Prowrestling.net Editor (@prowrestlingnet)
UFC and ESPN struck a new television agreement that will go into effect in January. Variety.com reports that ESPN’s total commitment is $1.5 billion over five years. That figure includes the deal that the two sides reached in April for a portion of the UFC television package. Read more at Variety.com.
Powell’s POV: UFC’s current deal with FOX is a seven-year deal that paid roughly $100 million per year. Meanwhile, WWE’s new Smackdown television deal with FOX is said to be for more than $1 billion and breaks down to $205 million per year. Reports also indicate that Raw is likely to stay with NBC Universal for nearly triple the current rate. In other words, both companies are making a fortune in their television rights, though it looks like WWE will be coming out ahead when you combine the Raw and Smackdown numbers.
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