Scott Coker MMA Promotion Adds Former ESPN President to Board

Scott Coker's new mixed martial arts promotion has added a major sports media figure to its leadership ahead of next year's launch. Steve Bornstein, who became the youngest president and CEO in ESPN history, has joined the promotion's advisory board, Sherdog reported.

Bornstein will guide the organization on media strategy, distribution, technology, fan engagement and commercial development. He later ran NFL Network as president and CEO and served as executive vice president of media for the National Football League. He currently holds the president of North America role at Genius Sports, where he works on integrating data, technology and artificial intelligence into fan experiences.

What Bornstein Brings to Coker's Global MMA League

"Steve Bornstein is one of the great builders in the history of sports media," Coker said in a statement. "His experience connecting fans to premium live sports is invaluable as we continue to build." The hire places Bornstein alongside former TelevisaUnivision CEO Wade Davis, Oaktree Capital co-founder Steve Kaplan, former Sony Pictures Television chairman Steve Mosko and Visional founder Swimmy Minami on the advisory board.

Bornstein called the chance to work with the promotion exciting. "MMA is a global sport with enormous potential, and this group is approaching it with the right combination of ambition, respect for the art and the athletes, and a long-term vision," he said.

The promotion is targeting a 2027 debut. No event dates or broadcast deals have been announced yet.

Reported via:

• Sherdog — Scott Coker-led promotion brings on former ESPN, NFL Network executive