Disney/ESPN and UFC?

[Schrute Farms]

Do you think ESPN would air UFC fight cards or would Disney want to distance itself from what has been called human chicken fighting in the past?

ESPN currently airs boxing, but boxing is not in the mainstream considered as violent. I would argue that boxing is much more physically damaging to it's participants, therefore more violent but that is going deeper than we need too.

Forgive me I am still new and have no idea what board (if any) this belongs on.

eta: filter blocked out another word for male chickens that has an alternate meaning

 

[tinkbutt]

My guess would be that they stick to the ESPN network! usually baseball or basketball what ever season it is!

 

[Schrute Farms]

ESPN airs all sorts of events (track, X-games, sailing, soccer, boxing, etc.) not just the major sport in season.

The reason I am asking is there are rumors the UFC is near a major TV deal. ESPN would be a natural fit, except for possible reservations from Disney image wise.

 

[FireDancer]

I think ESPN would air UFC without a care in the world as to how it would effect the Disney brand. Disney is not shy about airing or producing content that would not be Disney friendly on one of their subsidiaries. That's the whole reason Touchstone was formed, so Disney could produce R rated movies without having to attach the Disney name. Remember that Pulp Fiction, Kids, Jackie Brown, No Country for Old Men, Jerkey Boys: The Movie, Pretty WOman, and Summer of Sam are all movies released by Disney subsidiaries.

 

[Schrute Farms]

Good point, I didn't think about the Miramax/Touchstone angle.