With ESPN and Top Rank Boxing set to part ways after their current agreement expires in August, the promotion is seeking various media partners to fill the void left by the Worldwide Leader. Top Rank CEO Bob Arum indicated in a conversation with Adam Stern of Sports Business Journal that the strategy is to “not rely on one outlet but have, like in other sports, various outlets take [the] product.”
Stern highlights sports streaming platform DAZN as a potential contender for some of Top Rank’s inventory, given its increased involvement in combat sports in recent years. Arum, at 93 years old and with nearly 60 years of experience in organizing boxing matches, expressed optimism about the ongoing negotiations, stating that boxing is “really a giant in hiding in plain sight.” He elaborated, noting the vast array of outlets available for consumers, including various streaming services and platforms like YouTube, which leads to a significant demand for boxing content. Furthermore, he mentioned that the cost of boxing is relatively low compared to other sports.
While Stern has not specified the exact monetary value Top Rank is placing on its rights, it is likely that numerous media companies would view it as a bargain compared to more high-profile combat sports like UFC. Since its deal with ESPN began in 2017, Top Rank has aired across ESPN’s linear networks and ESPN+, with the current agreement allowing ESPN to broadcast 54 events annually. This significant amount of inventory could easily be divided into multiple packages, as Arum has suggested. As of now, no timeline has been reported regarding when any new deals will be finalized or announced.
