Fresh off its blockbuster acquisition of Bellator, the Professional Fighters League (PFL) has inked a new multi-year deal with its U.S. broadcast partner ESPN.The deal will see the PFL’s regular season, playoffs and world championship run on both ESPN’s linear networks and on ESPN+.PFL also plans to launch the PFL PPV Super Fight Division in 2024, and ESPN+ PPV will distribute the premium fights, which will feature fighters like Francis Ngannou and Jake Paul.The deal also includes expanded shoulder programming and pre- and post-match coverage on both linear and streaming.“We’re really excited about the next chapter, obviously ESPN is a key destination for MMA and not only are we focused on growing the PFL, but we’re playing a role in growing the sport here in the U.S., engaging avid MMA fans as well as bringing stick and ball fans over,” says Peter Murray, CEO of the PFL, in an interview. “We’re really in position to have a successful launch of our pay-per-view business.”Earlier this month, PFL acquired the Bellator MMA promotion from Paramount Global, after the major media company opted to shutter its Showtime sports division. The combined entity – which is now backed by Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund – is hoping to more directly compete with the Endeavor-owned UFC.UFC, of course, also has a rights deal with ESPN, with the MMA giant’s signature PPV events available exclusively on ESPN+.“We’re creating a global powerhouse in MMA,” Murray says of the Bellator deal. “And we really value the brand, the assets being the fighters, and with our combined fighter rosters, both PFL and now Bellator, we are second to none related to talent.”
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