ESPN and Top Rank team up to bring boxing to the mainstream

ESPN and Top Rank teamed to air of 16 main event shows on ESPN. The accounment happen this morning on the heels of the Mayweather/McGregor event. Under terms of the agreement ESPN will have the exclusive rights to televise and stream live Top Rank fights in the U.S., as well as deliver pay-per-view events with the promoter’s matches. Kciking things off in the partnership is scheduled for September 22 in Tucson, Arizona, and will feature Oscar Valdez and Gilberto Ramirez both defending their respective World Boxing Organization titles.

It will also air all Top Rank content in English and in French on Canadian sister networks TSN and RDS.

Quotes

“Boxing has been underpromoted, undermarketed, and underexposed for a long time,” noted Magnus of ESPN.

“The deal puts Top Rank and its best-in-class stable of global fighters at the core of ESPN’s combat sports offering across television, PPV and OTT,” said Alan Gold, Head of CAA’s Sports Media Advisory practice. “Top Rank has consistently and successfully built many of their fighters into global brands, and now will benefit significantly from ESPN’s broad distribution, sales and marketing support and outstanding storytelling.”