UFC CEO Dana White revealed that a potentially huge deal between the UFC and NBC fell apart because of Vince McMahon, the former head of WWE.
In 2011, the UFC was looking for a new TV deal as they had become too big for Spike TV. NBC offered the best deal, and it seemed like everything was set to be finalized. However, White mentioned on Stephanie McMahon’s podcast, What’s Your Story, that a key condition for him was to have The Ultimate Fighter on USA Network. After days of negotiations in New York, NBC executives agreed to this condition.
But the next day, just before signing the contract, NBC announced a surprising issue: Vince McMahon had the power to decide if another combat sports organization could be on USA Network. White was shocked to learn about this.
At the time, WWE`s Monday Night Raw was a very popular show on USA Network. McMahon, who was in charge of WWE, had the authority to block any other combat sport from being shown on the network.
To try and save the NBC deal, Dana White and former UFC owner Lorenzo Fertitta flew to WWE headquarters to meet with McMahon. They explained their situation and asked for his approval. But McMahon simply said he didn`t want the UFC on the network, without giving a specific reason.
This rejection ruined the NBC agreement. The UFC had even considered buying the G4 network at the time. After the NBC deal collapsed, White quickly contacted Eric Shanks and arranged a deal with FOX instead. This FOX deal became a turning point for the UFC.
G4 was a network focused on video games and shows like Attack of the Show, which helped launch the careers of people like Olivia Munn.
Because McMahon blocked the NBC deal, the UFC didn`t buy G4 or partner with NBC. Instead, they signed with FOX for seven years.
Looking back, White believes that not buying G4 was actually a good thing for the UFC. He thinks it could have been a disastrous decision for the company.
Interestingly, G4 shut down just three years after the UFC considered buying it, proving it might have been a bad investment.
The UFC`s time with FOX was successful for both parties. In 2018, the UFC moved to ESPN with a new seven-year contract worth about $300 million per year. Now, the UFC is negotiating another broadcast deal and is reportedly aiming for around $1 billion per year.
Regarding McMahon`s decision to stop the NBC deal, White thinks McMahon wanted to see the UFC as a competitor rather than a partner. White believes McMahon felt the need to create a rivalry.
Interestingly, McMahon later praised the UFC and its new owners when WWE was sold to Endeavor, the same company that owns the UFC. This merger created TKO Group Holdings. However, McMahon later resigned from TKO after serious allegations of sexual abuse and trafficking were made against him.
