The UFC is going to have interest from numerous networks and multiple streaming outlets for the company’s upcoming broadcast rights and now TNT Sports is expressing interest publicly about getting involved in the bidding.
With the UFC’s current deal with ESPN coming to an end at the close of 2025, the MMA organization is still in an exclusive negotiating window with the Disney-owned network through April 15. But once that date passes, the UFC can begin fielding offers from other potential suitors with TNT Sports CEO Luis Silberwasser voicing his interest in getting that conversation started.
TNT Sports, which is part of the Warner Bros. Discovery family, just recently lost the rights to the NBA after working together for 34 years. The company could potentially add the UFC to bolster its overall sports offerings, which also includes part of the NCAA March Madness tournament that kicked off this week.
“We like both,” Silberwasser told The Varsity podcast about potentially working with the UFC or F1 racing. “UFC is a fantastic property and has piqued our interest.
“Formula One, as well. Given our experience with sports internationally, we know the passion for Formula One. And we know that in this market, it has grown and it has great potential as well.”
While Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav downplayed the company investing in any new sports despite losing the NBA rights, Silberwasser obviously still believes TNT Sports could benefit from adding at least part of the UFC’s broadcast rights.
Currently all UFC programming, including pay-per-view events, air exclusively through the ESPN family of networks, which also includes ESPN+ for streaming.
Under terms of a new broadcast rights deal, the UFC could potentially split up the package to multiple outlets with a company like TNT Sports possibly landing some of the UFC Fight Night events while a streaming service such as Netflix might bid exclusively for the bigger, more lucrative pay-per-view events.
While the UFC can’t accept any offers until after April 15, it’s highly unlikely a new deal is struck with ESPN before that exclusive negotiating window closes.
As much interest as TNT Sports might have in the UFC, Netflix has emerged as the popular frontrunner to end up with part or all of the broadcast fights after the streamer already struck a massive 10 year, $5 billion deal to land WWE’s flagship series Monday Night Raw. WWE is part of the same company as the UFC under TKO Group Holdings.
Of course, TNT Sports won’t likely be alone in at least trying to get involved in the UFC’s broadcast rights with the promotion reportedly seeking over $1 billion per year under terms of the new deal that kicks off in 2026.
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