UFC rights go to Paramount in stunning $7.7 billion deal
Paramount is purchasing the rights to UFC in a landmark $7.7 billion deal over seven years beginning in 2026, the companies announced in a statement Monday, in a move that will eliminate the pay-per-view model. All of the UFC's events will now be accessible with only a Paramount+ subscription, and select numbered events will also air on CBS.
'This historic deal with Paramount and CBS is incredible for UFC fans and our athletes,' UFC president Dana White said in a statement. 'For the first time ever, fans in the U.S. will have access to all UFC content without a Pay-Per-View model, making it more affordable and accessible to view the greatest fights on a massive platform. This deal puts UFC amongst the biggest sports in the world. The exposure provided by the Paramount and CBS networks under this new structure is a huge win for our athletes and anyone who watches and loves this sport.'
Getty Images
ESPN, UFC's current rightsholder, has been using a pay-per-view model, which TKO Group president Mark Shapiro called 'a thing of the past.'
ESPN and Disney owned UFC's rights for the last five years while paying an average of $500 million per year.
The deal with Disney expires at the end of this year.
With the Skydance-Paramount deal closing this past Thursday, TKO Group — which owns the UFC and WWE — was able to come to an agreement rather quickly, according to CEO David Ellison, who spoke to the Financial Times.
Getty Images
Paramount and CBS have had a longstanding relationship with the NFL, and this deal should continue to bring mixed martial arts to the forefront of sports programming.
'When you look at the incredible portfolio of sports that Paramount has with the NFL, Uefa, Masters and March Madness, there really was a lull in the summer, and now with the UFC, we really do have a very strong year-long sports offering on both Paramount+ and CBS,' Ellison told the Financial Times.
CBS will air the Super Bowl in 2028, when they will be in year two of their deal with the UFC.
There was talk earlier this year of UFC potentially linking up with Netflix, not to mention a possible ESPN renewal.
In addition to the U.S. rights of UFC, Paramount is said to be 'interested in buying UFC's international rights,' according to CNBC.
The UFC deal comes days after WWE landed a five-year, $1.6 billion deal with ESPN to have their premium live events streamed on their new direct-to-consumer app.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
San Francisco Chronicle
13 minutes ago
- San Francisco Chronicle
49ers' Demarcus Robinson files appeal, but DUI-related suspension is expected
San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan said Monday that wide receiver Demarcus Robinson is appealing an NFL suspension, but indicated the team is expecting Robinson to miss multiple games to start the regular season. Shanahan said Robinson, 30, would 'most likely' sit out the 'first few games' due to a DUI arrest. Last week, Vikings wide receiver Jordan Addison received a three-game suspension after he was arrested for a DUI last year. 'There is an appeal process,' Shanahan said. 'I'm not sure how it's going. So I always just plan for the worst and hope for the best.' Robinson addressed the Bay Area media for the first time since he signed a two-year, $9.5 million deal in March. He said he's eager for a resolution to his case. '(I'm) pretty anxious,' Robinson said. 'Just waiting on the outcome to see what happens with that … I really don't know the timeframe. Waiting to hear from them, honestly.' Robinson was arrested in November when he was with the Rams. Officers observed him driving more than 100 mph on Highway 101, and he was charged with driving with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08 or higher and driving without a valid license. Robinson addressed his teammates and apologized after his arrest. 'I think it's always hard when you go through something like that to try to deal with that and talk about that in front of the guys,' Robinson said. 'But I think it's also a learning time for myself and anybody that's in the room. Just try to give them (advice) so no one goes through the same type of thing.' Robinson had career-highs in receiving yards (505), yards per reception (16.3) and receiving touchdowns (seven) last year. He's reached the playoffs in each of his first nine seasons, with the Chiefs (2016-21), Ravens (2022) and Rams (2023-24). He earned his lone Super Bowl ring when Kansas City beat the 49ers in Super Bowl LIV in February 2020. His motivation for signing with the 49ers? 'Just trying to get to another good team,' Robinson said. 'And make another run for a Super Bowl.'
USA Today
43 minutes ago
- USA Today
NFL insider explains how Travis Hunter's impact on Jaguars goes beyond production
One NFL insider explained how Travis Hunter's impact on the Jaguars goes beyond the stat sheet with how opponents have to prepare for him. Travis Hunter's ball skills and ability to operate in space make him a big-play threat on both sides of the ball for the Jacksonville Jaguars. However, his impact on this Jaguars team could go beyond just the stat sheet. Filling in on the 'Rich Eisen Show,' NFL Network insider Tom Pelissero discussed how having Travis Hunter on the team can give the Jaguars a potential game planning advantage. "I do think one of the unique things they can create with Travis Hunter here is questions in the game planning process for the opponent," Pelissero said. "It's one thing if New England back in the day, every week they'd come out with a different defense. They might be playing an under-front one week, the next week they're playing an over-front. They might play in a 4-3 the whole season and then come out they play a 3-4 in the Super Bowl. Pelissero continued, "With Travis Hunter, who is arguably the most important player on both sides of the ball, you can play him all offense one week, and all defense the next week. And if an opponent gears their entire game plan, 'we're going to take away Travis Hunter on offense,' but then you just go, 'we're going to have Travis lock down the opponent's new receiver and not play a lot of offense,' that introduces something completely different." Pelissero went on to say that he doesn't know if Hunter's snap count totals between offense and defense will be equal from week to week. When Tony Khan was on the 'Rich Eisen Show' during the offseason and was asked about Hunter's playing time, he mentioned that "game flow" could dictate how many snaps Hunter sees on each side of the ball. The opponent and matchups will be a part of that equation as well. So, for an opponent, there is likely some level of guesswork that will come when facing the Jaguars. They could be preparing their receivers to face Hunter, only for Jarrian Jones or Montaric Brown to see the bulk of the cornerback snaps opposite of Tyson Campbell. Or on offense, perhaps there is a week where Parker Washington sees extending snaps. This element won't be the be-all and end-all when it comes to determining wins and losses, but it's another part of the calculus that opponents have to factor in--where will Travis Hunter be lining up? GM James Gladstone spoke with ESPN's Dan Graziano recently and said that drafting a player like Hunter "changes the math." Gladstone didn't get into specifics on what he meant by that, but the production aside, his presence provides the Jaguars with added flexibility and opponents with something else to account for.
Newsweek
44 minutes ago
- Newsweek
Former Eagles Champion Joins Forces with AFC Squad
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Soon, the Houston Texans will have another former Philadelphia Eagles defensive back in the mix. On Sunday, it was reported that Jalen Mills will be joining the Texans. The decision to ink the veteran safety comes not long after it was revealed that another ex-Eagle, CJ Gardner-Johnson, suffered a knee injury. via @Schultz_Report: Sources: The #Texans are signing veteran DB Jalen Mills (@AdamSchefter first). Mills is going into his 10th season having played for the Eagles, Patriots and Jets. He has 91 career starts and 8 INTs. Sources: The #Texans are signing veteran DB Jalen Mills (@AdamSchefter first). Mills is going into his 10th season having played for the Eagles, Patriots and Jets. He has 91 career starts and 8 INTs. — Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) August 10, 2025 Back in 2016, the Eagles scooped up Mills out of LSU. He was the 233rd overall selection in the seventh round of the 2016 NFL Draft. The Eagles quickly figured out that Mills could contribute at the cornerback position. Although Mills started just two games as a rookie with the Eagles, he played in all 16 games. As a rookie, Mills combined 62 tackles and had seven pass deflections. Jalen Mills #31 of the Philadelphia Eagles reacts after breaking up a pass during the first quarter against the Dallas Cowboys in the game at Lincoln Financial Field on December 22, 2019 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.... Jalen Mills #31 of the Philadelphia Eagles reacts after breaking up a pass during the first quarter against the Dallas Cowboys in the game at Lincoln Financial Field on December 22, 2019 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. MoreBased on what he put on display during his rookie effort, Mills became a full-time starter during the 2017 NFL season. Mills appeared in 15 games and showed plenty of positive progress compared to his rookie effort. The young veteran racked up 64 tackles, one of which was for a loss. He also had 14 pass deflections, along with three interceptions. Both remain his career-highs at this stage of his career. In 2017, Mills was a starter for the Eagles' Super Bowl-winning squad. In three playoff games, he accounted for 13 tackles and five pass deflections. After the first five years of his career, Mills moved on from the Eagles. He signed a four-year deal with the New England Patriots ahead of the 2022 NFL season. The veteran defensive back played in New England for three years. During his final season, he started in just half of the matchups he played. Last year, Mills anticipated a run with the New York Giants, but he was released in August. Last September, the former Eagle signed with the New York Jets' practice squad and was promoted to the active roster one month later. With the Jets, Mills produced 44 tackles, six pass deflections, and one interception. He suffered an injury in December, which ended his season prematurely. Just a few months after the Eagles cut ties with CJ Gardner-Johnson by sending him to the Texans, the star safety went down with a knee injury in practice last week. Initially, reports weren't optimistic, but Gardner-Johnson is expected to be back on the field at some point this year. For the time being, Mills will get a chance to carve out a role for himself. For more Philadelphia Eagles and NFL news, head over to Newsweek Sports.
