Couture on the deal

[Will Cooling]

Originally Posted by scurlaruntings

One minute is this someone masquerading as Will Cooling?

Nope still me. Whatever I may or may not believe about how MMA cannot be structured, its quite clear that the challenges and questions involved in this deal are huge.

[scurlaruntings]

Originally Posted by Will Cooling

Nope still me. Whatever I may or may not believe about how MMA cannot be structured, its quite clear that the challenges and questions involved in this deal are huge.

Can we be friends?

[Will Cooling]

You mean we're not :(

[Stoo]

Well who knows what Showtimes real intentions are. But I think that UFC TV is on the way myself. And any rival like SF on Showtime would be detrimental too this. But who knows Im just speculating

[Will Cooling]

Well the video library is huge; after all the UFC now owns virtually every single major league match in MMA history. When the WWE amassed a similar library in pro-wrestling it led to a boom in DVDs and a subscription internet service. The UFC is already experimenting with that stuff and it will surely only intensify its efforts now.

The Showtime deal is the big part of this deal. This is now effecively a truce between them and the UFC. It could become a full alliance, with the UFC on Showtime and the money from the network allowing the UFC to run more events and employ more fighters. Or they could again full out and hostilities will renew with Showtime bankrolling a third puppet organisation. Anyone who says they know how it will all play out is lying.

[scurlaruntings]

Originally Posted by Will Cooling

You mean we're not :(

Of course not! Will Cockring

[Will Cooling]

Originally Posted by scurlaruntings

Of course not! Will Cockring

[scurlaruntings]

Originally Posted by Will Cooling

Well the video library is huge; after all the UFC now owns virtually every single major league match in MMA history. When the WWE amassed a similar library in pro-wrestling it led to a boom in DVDs and a subscription internet service. The UFC is already experimenting with that stuff and it will surely only intensify its efforts now.

The Showtime deal is the big part of this deal. This is now effecively a truce between them and the UFC. It could become a full alliance, with the UFC on Showtime and the money from the network allowing the UFC to run more events and employ more fighters. Or they could again full out and hostilities will renew with Showtime bankrolling a third puppet organisation. Anyone who says they know how it will all play out is lying.

Im not sure that's a good idea at all.

[Will Cooling]

Why not?

[scurlaruntings]

Originally Posted by Will Cooling

Why not?

Simply because of the nature of the internet. Remember the UFC has a very large casual fan base. What has been helpful to the brand is the easy accessible nature of the product from the internet via illegal streams, anorak websites that share videos etc. This is what helped build the UFC.
The UFC is now ready to sue aggressively for its IP rights. We've already seen that. This attitude for me will backfire. As the product gained its notoriety through exclusivity. If the UFC is going to have shows every other week on PPV fans wont be willing to shell out the coin unless the shows have significant names on with almost guaranteed results. If the websites and illegal streams get taken down fans have no access to MMA and thus the UFC looses valuable exposure.
The reality is why pay for a subscription service when you can download it for free? Is the casual fan interested in paying for DVD library? Course not as that's what the hardcore fans do.
The casual fan here is key. And i just cant envisage any success for UFC TV by literally saturating the market with your product.

[Money Shot]

So they bought Strikeforce to encourage competition? I assume they are going to reduce the purses on these SF guys to UFC levels, therefore eliminating the reason for its existence!? They swallowed up Pride and now SF: they want all the money to themsleves, and to keep their name fighters on shitty contracts and in their organisation. Facto.

[Stoo]

Originally Posted by Money Shot

So they bought Strikeforce to encourage competition? I assume they are going to reduce the purses on these SF guys to UFC levels, therefore eliminating the reason for its existence!? They swallowed up Pride and now SF: they want all the money to themsleves, and to keep their name fighters on shitty contracts and in their organisation. Facto.

Got it in 1

[achillesthegreat]

Looks like father and son are now work mates