PFL And ESPN Announce Multi-Year Media Rights Renewal

PFL will continue to air on ESPN in the United States
PFL And ESPN Announce Multi-Year Media Rights Renewal
PFL And ESPN Announce Multi-Year Media Rights Renewal /

The PFL is keeping its home at ESPN.

Courtesy PFL
Courtesy PFL

The PFL and ESPN have agreed upon a new multi-year U.S. media rights agreement. This means that the PFL regular season, playoffs, and world championship will air on the ESPN platform. The new PFL PPV Super Fight Division, which will launch in 2024 and is expected to feature bouts with fighters like Francis Ngannou and Jake Paul, will air on ESPN+.

In a press release, PFL CEO Peter Murray expressed his pleasure about the new deal.

“We’ve had five successful seasons on ESPN, and we’re excited for the next phase of growth for MMA and the Professional Fighters League with this agreement,” said Murray. “Our innovative sport-season format, elite roster of athletes, and the launch of the PFL PPV Super Fight Division, which will feature some of the world’s greatest combat sports stars such as Francis Ngannou and Jake Paul, are ushering in the new era of MMA as a mainstream global sports entertainment platform.”

An Inside Look At The Demise Of Bellator

PFL will be a hot commodity in 2024. The champion-vs.-champion series pitting PFL champions against Bellator champions has the potential to be extremely exciting. The PFL debuts of Ngannou and Paul will also be must-see.

While it is possible that Ngannou instead opts to focus on his boxing career, which would further postpone (or prevent) fighting in the PFL SmartCage, there is still plenty of reason for optimism entering the new year.


Published
Justin Barrasso
JUSTIN BARRASSO

Justin Barrasso has been writing for Sports Illustrated since 2014. While his primary focus is pro wrestling and MMA, he has also covered MLB, NBA, and the NFL. He can be reached at JBarrasso@gmail.com and followed on Twitter @JustinBarrasso.