ESPN has inked an exclusive TV deal with boxing promotion company Top Rank Inc. that includes as many a 54 boxing events a year through 2025, the companies announced Thursday.
Top Rank will exclusively distribute boxing events on ESPN and ESPN+ -- as well as offer classic fights and studio content – as part of the seven-year deal, according to Top Rank. The deal includes 12 exclusive primetime events and 24 premium events a year on ESPN’s $4.99 per month, direct-to-consumer service ESPN+, said the sports network.
The deal extends the agreement the two companies reached last year, which included ESPN fight telecasts featuring such marquee boxers as Manny Pacquiao and Vasiliy Lomachenko, as well as ESPN+-exclusive bouts headlined by Pacquiao and welterweight champion Terence Crawford.
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“ESPN is thrilled with this new long-term agreement with Top Rank, which represents the most innovative and comprehensive relationship in the world of boxing today,” said Jimmy Pitaro, ESPN President and Co-Chairman, Disney Media Networks in a statement. “By creating and distributing significantly more Top Rank events and boxing content, ESPN and Top Rank will jointly cultivate upcoming fighters and fights, creating the stars of tomorrow while providing fans with the sport’s best content in a more personalized manner.”
Top Rank President Todd duBoef added: “This partnership will continue to bring the biggest events and best fighters from around the world to ESPN networks. Our collective ability to integrate live events, classic fights, studio shows, and behind-the-scenes features will raise the long-term profile of the sport of boxing and the athletes.”
