Why doesn't ESPN make a bigger deal out of Friday Night Fights?

[Alaskanredman]

There's tons of guys who get no love from HBO or SHOWTIME... why not offer some serious bread to showcase these dudes? HBO sat on Berto and let him feast on bums and it would make sense for ESPN to offer an entertaining champion or two a large amount of money to do the same thing and then force a big fight or two to happen on ESPN.

 

[Jordan Diddy Buk]

Because espn fnf is about competitive matching making. At least for the main event. It works well that way. Getting the bigger names cost more money. Big names wouldnt fight competitive matches for espn money.

 

[Alaskanredman]

Shit big names are fighting competively anywhere so it make since for ESPN to get a guy like Berto, before Ortiz, under a contact paying more than HBO and let him feast in the same way... since ESPN is open to more people and it doesn't make sense that ESPN isn't trying to make itself a serious player.

 

[Jordan Diddy Buk]

Shit big names are fighting competively anywhere so it make since for ESPN to get a guy like Berto, before Ortiz, under a contact paying more than HBO and let him feast in the same way... since ESPN is open to more people and it doesn't make sense that ESPN isn't trying to make itself a serious player.

their budget doesn't allow for that. These are the early fights from this year. You are asking for something that isn't possible.

January 7
At Las Vegas (ESPN2): "Friday Night Fights" season premier, Ruslan Provodnikov vs. Mauricio Herrera, 12 rounds, junior welterweights; Demetrius Andrade vs. Sammy Gonzalez, 8 rounds, junior middleweights

January 14
At Key West, Fla. (ESPN2): Peter Manfredo Jr. vs. Daniel Edouard, 10 rounds, middleweights; Edwin Rodriguez vs. Aaron Pryor Jr., 10 rounds, super middleweights; Marcus Willis vs. Manny Woods, 4 or 6 rounds, middleweights; Anton Slaughter vs. TBA, 4 rounds, junior lightweights; Derrick Wilson vs. Guadalupe DeLeon, 8 rounds, featherweights; Dannie Van Staden vs. Henry Mitchell, 6 rounds, junior welterweights; Antwone Smith vs. TBA, 8 rounds, welterweights; Breidis Prescott vs. TBA, 8 rounds, junior welterweights

January 28
At Temecula, Calif. (ESPN2): Cristobal Arreola vs. Joey Abell, 10 rounds, heavyweights; Michael Dallas Jr. vs. Josesito Lopez, 10 rounds, junior welterweights; Shawn Estrada vs. TBA, 6 rounds, super middleweights

 

[Upgrade Dave]

I think they could keep the same fighters and work harder to make them names. Their ESPN for crying out loud. If they had the same Countdowns-type documentaries that featured fighters building up fights, it might make a difference ratings wise. Shit, they have like 10 networks and hundreds of hours to fill, might as well use them.

 

[Jordan Diddy Buk]

It is not cost effective for them to build fighters up and watch them bounce. If it were they would do it. Espn is in business to make money. I mean. Damn what you are saying is nice. Just now realistic. I mean networks and other cable outlook never are in play for major fights. Because it just cost to much. Insurance, location, fighters. I mean I hear you but it is about the same thing I say to people when they talk about the nba players making a league. Money isnt there to make it happen.

 

[P03t]

I think they could keep the same fighters and work harder to make them names. Their ESPN for crying out loud. If they had the same Countdowns-type documentaries that featured fighters building up fights, it might make a difference ratings wise. Shit, they have like 10 networks and hundreds of hours to fill, might as well use them.

C/S

they need to do more to promote the sport....in the fall & winter sometimes we don't even get FNF....I've seen Nascar bump them from the 9pm slot....

 

[Jordan Diddy Buk]

C/S

they need to do more to promote the sport....in the fall & winter sometimes we don't even get FNF....I've seen Nascar bump them from the 9pm slot....

But that was because it was one of the lowest performing shows. They were losing money like a mofo. But people complained because USA, and other cable fights shows died off. It just is no money in it. I mean even HBO barely does one fight a month. Boxing needs help. If anyone can put on decent shows it is HBO. Because they get a platform on a network that showcases world title fights. Like sho does with next generation. ESPN just can't do it. But then again. I'm say this without any consign. So I must be crazy.

read this.
http://forums.doghouseboxing.com/lofiversion/index.php/t44559.html

It really comes down to money. SHO does a great job. HBO could do better. Because at least those fighters have a chance to be put on to title fights later. FNF fighters, no so much. And if they do. Most times they are over matched. I am just glad to have some fights on free tv for the newer fans. Good idea, but ESPN isn't putting out money for boxing.

 

[P03t]

But that was because it was one of the lowest performing shows. They were losing money like a mofo. But people complained because USA, and other cable fights shows died off. It just is no money in it. I mean even HBO barely does one fight a month. Boxing needs help. If anyone can put on decent shows it is HBO. Because they get a platform on a network that showcases world title fights. Like sho does with next generation. ESPN just can't do it. But then again. I'm say this without any consign. So I must be crazy.

read this.
http://forums.doghouseboxing.com/lofiversion/index.php/t44559.html

It really comes down to money. SHO does a great job. HBO could do better. Because at least those fighters have a chance to be put on to title fights later. FNF fighters, no so much. And if they do. Most times they are over matched. I am just glad to have some fights on free tv for the newer fans. Good idea, but ESPN isn't putting out money for boxing.

remember when Boxing was on free TV!

 

[Jordan Diddy Buk]

remember when Boxing was on free TV!

Remember penny candy, running home to watch cartoons, and 25 cent cokes? Man, this is 2011. Boxing is a business. Soaps are all dropping the air. I wish boxing was on tv more, but it is a business. dudes have to show they can make these networks money. cbs showed kimbo. not because he was great. because he brought in money for cheap. that's how it works.

 

[will_right]

There WAS a time when ESPN was da SHIT..at least better than it is NOW as far as boxing goes..maybe some of you are or were too young to remember..MANY good fighters was on it..James Toney was one of them i think...Tuesday night Fights was also good and he was mos DEF on that show for sure...man do i miss those tuesday Night Fight Scraps

 

[Upgrade Dave]

It is not cost effective for them to build fighters up and watch them bounce. If it were they would do it. Espn is in business to make money. I mean. Damn what you are saying is nice. Just now realistic. I mean networks and other cable outlook never are in play for major fights. Because it just cost to much. Insurance, location, fighters. I mean I hear you but it is about the same thing I say to people when they talk about the nba players making a league. Money isnt there to make it happen.

They have a Sportscenter that runs for hours during the week and it wouldn't cost them much to promote that week's fight instead of some of time wasting stuff they feature.

But that was because it was one of the lowest performing shows. They were losing money like a mofo. But people complained because USA, and other cable fights shows died off. It just is no money in it. I mean even HBO barely does one fight a month. Boxing needs help. If anyone can put on decent shows it is HBO. Because they get a platform on a network that showcases world title fights. Like sho does with next generation. ESPN just can't do it. But then again. I'm say this without any consign. So I must be crazy.read this.
http://forums.doghouseboxing.com/lofiversion/index.php/t44559.html

It really comes down to money. SHO does a great job. HBO could do better. Because at least those fighters have a chance to be put on to title fights later. FNF fighters, no so much. And if they do. Most times they are over matched. I am just glad to have some fights on free tv for the newer fans. Good idea, but ESPN isn't putting out money for boxing.

We were doing so good. Must you be a victim all the time?

 

[Jordan Diddy Buk]

They have a Sportscenter that runs for hours during the week and it wouldn't cost them much to promote that week's fight instead of some of time wasting stuff they feature.

The production cost to run sports center compared to doing a fight have to be cheaper. A one hour show replayed over and over. But I guess a person can wish.

 

[Alaskanredman]

Remember penny candy, running home to watch cartoons, and 25 cent cokes? Man, this is 2011. Boxing is a business. Soaps are all dropping the air. I wish boxing was on tv more, but it is a business. dudes have to show they can make these networks money. cbs showed kimbo. not because he was great. because he brought in money for cheap. that's how it works.

All this business talk from the same guy who refuses to acknowledge the business side of match making or how it plays a part in making a superfight. Either way, boxing makes money. If fighters can command millions for one fight someone is making at the very least triple whatever is being paid out. That's how business works. These networks aren't losing money or only making peanuts cause they would have cancelled the show. The is just enough diehards that will watch any boxing to keep the show making money with out trying. I haven't even seen a promo for FNF's in a long ass time. The network has tons of money and resources so if they wanted to go hard they could. The make most of their money off of talk shows and it is more likely they won't compete cause it is easier than taking the risk.

 

[Upgrade Dave]

The production cost to run sports center compared to doing a fight have to be cheaper. A one hour show replayed over and over. But I guess a person can wish.

Missed my point entirely. I'm saying use some of that SC time to promote your fight for that week. They have from the Saturday past, the day they should be talking about the fight from the day before, until that Fri night to talk up their own program. How much could that cost?

All this business talk from the same guy who refuses to acknowledge the business side of match making or how it plays a part in making a superfight. Either way, boxing makes money. If fighters can command millions for one fight someone is making at the very least triple whatever is being paid out. That's how business works. These networks aren't losing money or only making peanuts cause they would have cancelled the show. The is just enough diehards that will watch any boxing to keep the show making money with out trying. I haven't even seen a promo for FNF's in a long ass time. The network has tons of money and resources so if they wanted to go hard they could. The make most of their money off of talk shows and it is more likely they won't compete cause it is easier than taking the risk.

Funny how his song has changed.