Zuffa Boxing Reportedly Close To Agreeing Sky Sports Deal
Zuffa Boxing, led by UFC CEO Dana White and WWE President Nick Khan, is reportedly on the verge of securing a multi-year broadcast partnership with Sky Sports.
According to reports, the deal is “on the precipice” of being finalized. This follows the news of Zuffa’s recent market moves in the UK. The promotion is the driving force behind the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium April 11 main event headlined by Tyson Fury vs. Arslanbek Makhmudov on Netflix. Fury officially ends his retirement, seeking to bounce back from consecutive defeats to Oleksandr Usyk.
In the co-main event, New Zuffa signee Conor Benn steps into the ring for the first time since his split from Matchroom. Benn will face former two-time champion Regis Prograis at a 150-lb catchweight in a deal reportedly worth $15million for one fight.
“Zuffa Boxing is on the precipice of a media rights deal with Sky Sports for the UK market,” John Ourand reported
Wider Fallout
The potential Sky Sports deal arrives at a moment of intense legal tension. Frank Warren’s Queensberry Promotions could reportedly file a $1 billion lawsuit against TKO Group Holdings and Sela (the Saudi-backed investment arm of Zuffa Boxing). Warren allegedly claims that TKO and Sela “went behind his back” to form Zuffa Boxing, allegedly breaching exclusivity and data-sharing agreements signed in 2023.
“We are disappointed by the unfounded claims brought by Queensberry and Frank Warren. We reject them in their entirety and are confident that the facts will fully vindicate our position,” Sela spokesperson said
“The last time we worked together was around the Tottenham press conference (to announce Tyson Fury vs Arslanbek Makhmudov on April 11) about a week ago. And that’s where we are. I cannot say any more. It did not just happen overnight, that’s for sure. It doesn’t complicate anything, he is contracted to fight, and that’s the end of it,” Warren stated
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