Prime Rank Boxing is getting ready to finish its broadcast relationship with ESPN when their present contract expires in August 2025. Based on Prime Rank CEO Bob Arum, the promotion doesn’t plan to stay with a single media associate going ahead. As an alternative, it is going to distribute its occasions throughout a number of platforms, much like how different main sports activities leagues function.
Arum advised Sports activities Enterprise Journal’s Adam Stern that boxing remains to be a massively untapped market and mentioned he’s optimistic concerning the ongoing talks with a number of potential companions. One of many possible candidates is DAZN, which has closely invested in boxing and fight sports activities lately.
“There’s lots of demand for content material,” Arum mentioned, citing the rise of streaming providers and various platforms like YouTube. He additionally identified that boxing is comparatively cheap to supply when in comparison with different sports activities, which might make it enticing to broadcasters searching for cost-effective stay content material.
Prime Rank’s present cope with ESPN, which started in 2017, consists of 54 stay occasions yearly throughout ESPN’s channels and ESPN+. That quantity may very well be break up between a number of companions underneath the brand new technique Arum is pursuing.
There’s no phrase but on how a lot Prime Rank is in search of financially, or when a brand new set of offers shall be finalized. However with the ESPN period winding down, the promotion is clearly shifting towards a extra versatile, multi-platform future.
Prime Rank Boxing: Accomplishments Over the Years
Based in 1973 by Bob Arum, Prime Rank has turn into one in all boxing’s most profitable and influential promotions, shaping the game for over 5 many years. Right here’s a breakdown of its main accomplishments:
Legendary Fighters Developed
Prime Rank constructed and promoted a number of the biggest boxers in historical past, to call just a few:
Muhammad Ali – Promoted his most iconic fights through the Seventies.
Sugar Ray Leonard – Helped flip him right into a mainstream star.
Oscar De La Hoya – Launched his profession and made him a pay-per-view attraction.
Manny Pacquiao – Elevated him to international superstardom with marquee fights.
Floyd Mayweather Jr. – Promoted him early in his profession earlier than he turned boxing’s largest draw.
Vasiliy Lomachenko, Terence Crawford, Shakur Stevenson, and Teofimo Lopez – More moderen world champions developed underneath the Prime Rank banner.
Main Broadcast Partnerships
ABC, HBO, Showtime, and ESPN – Prime Rank has labored with all the most important U.S. sports activities networks through the years.
The promotion’s long-running cope with ESPN (2017–2025) helped convey boxing again to mainstream cable and streaming audiences, producing 54 stay occasions yearly.
World Growth
Held world title fights and main occasions within the U.S., Mexico, Japan, the Philippines, the UK, and the Center East.
Performed a key function in selling worldwide stars and bridging international fanbases.
Olympic Expertise Pipeline
Recognized for signing prime beginner and Olympic boxers.
Helped transition adorned Olympians like George Foreman, Michael Carbajal, Andre Ward, Vasiliy Lomachenko, and Shakur Stevenson into profitable professional careers.
Constant World Title Manufacturing
Over the many years, Prime Rank has promoted a whole lot of world title fights throughout practically each weight division.
The promotion has a fame for creating fighters from early phases to championship degree.
Occasion Innovation
Prime Rank was among the many first to supply closed-circuit TV and early PPV occasions, serving to change how followers watched main fights.
Pioneered the mixing of boxing with mainstream leisure and media through the sport’s cable TV growth.
Boxing Information 24 » Prime Rank Set to Cut up From ESPN, Eyes A number of Media Offers As an alternative
Final Up to date on 04/16/2025
