Showtime will quickly be completed with fight sports activities.
In an inside memo issued Tuesday, Showtime president and CEO Chris McCarthy knowledgeable staff the community will finish its boxing and MMA content material on the finish of 2023 in an effort to “dedicate a bigger share of (its) sources towards premium scripted sequence that drive subscribers.”
Bellator was not explicitly talked about within the memo. An individual near the state of affairs advised MMA Junkie on Tuesday they imagine a sale will happen within the close to future, which has been rumored for months. Showtime’s announcement to its staff was first reported by Yahoo Sports activities.
Bellator president Scott Coker confirmed in June that enterprise discussions between the promotion and rival PFL had been ongoing, however he’s largely remained mum on additional updates since then. He spoke at size after Bellator 300 however didn’t supply a lot.
PFL founder Donn Davis and president Ray Sefo have teased a possible absorption, though they, too, haven’t provided any particulars.
Take a look at the total memo from McCarthy under, which MMA Junkie has acquired.
“As we proceed to dedicate a bigger share of our sources towards premium scripted sequence that drive subscribers for us in each Pay TV and SVOD, SHOWTIME won’t be shifting ahead with boxing or different content material produced by the SHOWTIME Sports activities and Occasion Programming Group. The corporate’s resolution isn’t a mirrored image of the work the crew and our companions have completed, fairly a actuality of the world evolving and our shifting content material priorities.
“For almost 40 years, Stephen Espinoza and his crew have created and delivered premium storytelling, considerate evaluation and excellent reside manufacturing together with the largest fight sports activities occasions in historical past. We’re deeply grateful to Stephen and the complete crew whose collective contributions have helped set up SHOWTIME because the premium model it’s at present.
“Underneath Stephen’s management, they’ve completed a terrific job establishing SHOWTIME because the #1 vacation spot for boxing world wide televising almost 750 reside boxing occasions and a pair of,000 bouts. Boxing and SHOWTIME have typically been synonymous, and we’re grateful for his or her exhausting work and dedication.
“Whereas I’ve solely had a couple of months to get to know and work with Stephen, I can simply say he is likely one of the most artistic, strategic thinkers who deeply cares about his crew, the model, and the sports activities he champions. I’m very grateful to him and the complete group as they’ve very dutifully helped us navigate this tough transition.
“Stephen and the crew might be right here by December to supervise the remaining occasions on the 2023 boxing slate as we honor all our obligations by the top of the yr.
“Please be a part of me in thanking them.”
Questions have arisen concerning the scheduled Bellator 301 occasion Nov. 17 in Chicago, however there was rising confidence the occasion will go on as deliberate.
The cardboard is headlined by welterweight champion Yaroslav Amosov (27-0 MMA, 8-0 BMMA) vs. Jason Jackson (16-4 MMA, 7-1 BMMA) and bantamweight champion Sergio Pettis (23-5 MMA, 5-0 BMMA) vs. interim titleholder Patchy Combine (18-1 MMA, 7-1 BMMA).
