PFL CEO Blasts ESPN After Charlotte Broadcast Failure
ESPN's live stream of PFL Charlotte cut out during Friday's prelims, leaving viewers unable to watch Josh Fremd stop Jhony Gregory in the second round, according to MMA Mania.
The broadcast failed to start the main card stream in time for the Fremd-Gregory curtain-jerker, which Fremd won by TKO. The technical failure came one week after PFL CEO John Martin publicly criticized the network's support for the promotion.
Martin Stands Behind ESPN Criticism
"I've expressed frustration, which I stand behind, by the lack of commitment and support that ESPN has been willing to give us this year," Martin said last weekend. "But I don't dismiss ESPN as a massive entity with a fantastic platform."
Friday's event saw Bryan Battle edge Dalton Rosta by split decision in the middleweight headliner. The fight itself went three rounds without incident, but the streaming issues on the undercard highlighted the rough patch between PFL and its broadcast partner.
Manager Ali Abdelaziz weighed in after the event, writing that PFL fighters deserve more respect from ESPN and the MMA media. "I truly hope they find the right home and continue to grow," he posted. "Competition is good for the sport."
The promotion has not announced whether it will address the broadcast failure with ESPN before its next event.
Original reporting:
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