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Golden Boy Challenges UFC, White
Kevin Iole of Yahoo! Sports posted an interesting piece this afternoon detailing the results of Mayweather-Marquez, in addition to Golden Boy Promotions CEO Richard Schaefer’s challenge to the UFC in regards to their PPV figures.
Schaefer questioned the legitimacy of UFC pay-per-view results that were leaked. He said HBO is a publicly traded company that would face serious repercussions for releasing false numbers. The UFC, he noted, is a private company with no such concerns.
“I think the UFC and boxing should be able to co-exist and work together in this thing that we call (combat) sports,” Schaefer said.
“I don’t want to talk (expletive) about the UFC. But Dana White can’t do an interview without knocking boxing. If he thinks we’re idiots and don’t know anything about the pay-per-view business, I’ll make him a challenge.
“I am willing to hire one of the top three accounting firms, at my expense, and do an audit of his pay-per-view results. They are nowhere near what is put into the public. There is talk that UFC 100 did 1.6 million, but it barely broke a million. I am willing to pay to have the audits done to prove this.”
Payout Perspective:
In poking at the 800 lbs. gorilla in the room, Golden Boy is guaranteeing their latest PPV success a host of additional press coverage. GB also knew that White wouldn’t accept the offer, and as a result, it would make the UFC look weak or scared. Schaefer and Golden Boy really have nothing to lose here.
The challenge itself bears no real threat for the UFC – they can easily shrug it off – but there is an underlying what-if element here that could prove more troublesome in the future. This challenge may just be the first in a series of barbs meant to attack the credibility of the UFC and undermine the record year they’re having.
While the allegations could very well be true, the bottom line is still that they’re coming from Richard Schaeffer – the CEO of Golden Boy and chief combat sports rival to the UFC. He’s a promoter – just like White – and publicity is what he does best. Take it with a grain of salt just as you might with anything that White says.
Schaefer questioned the legitimacy of UFC pay-per-view results that were leaked. He said HBO is a publicly traded company that would face serious repercussions for releasing false numbers. The UFC, he noted, is a private company with no such concerns.
“I think the UFC and boxing should be able to co-exist and work together in this thing that we call (combat) sports,” Schaefer said.
“I don’t want to talk (expletive) about the UFC. But Dana White can’t do an interview without knocking boxing. If he thinks we’re idiots and don’t know anything about the pay-per-view business, I’ll make him a challenge.
“I am willing to hire one of the top three accounting firms, at my expense, and do an audit of his pay-per-view results. They are nowhere near what is put into the public. There is talk that UFC 100 did 1.6 million, but it barely broke a million. I am willing to pay to have the audits done to prove this.”
Payout Perspective:
In poking at the 800 lbs. gorilla in the room, Golden Boy is guaranteeing their latest PPV success a host of additional press coverage. GB also knew that White wouldn’t accept the offer, and as a result, it would make the UFC look weak or scared. Schaefer and Golden Boy really have nothing to lose here.
The challenge itself bears no real threat for the UFC – they can easily shrug it off – but there is an underlying what-if element here that could prove more troublesome in the future. This challenge may just be the first in a series of barbs meant to attack the credibility of the UFC and undermine the record year they’re having.
While the allegations could very well be true, the bottom line is still that they’re coming from Richard Schaeffer – the CEO of Golden Boy and chief combat sports rival to the UFC. He’s a promoter – just like White – and publicity is what he does best. Take it with a grain of salt just as you might with anything that White says.
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