HBO says talks to broadcast UFC cards fall apart
LAS VEGAS -- HBO, the premium cable network, and UFC, the leading mixed martial arts company, have been talking for more than a year about airing a handful of annual cards.
However, the deal is apparently dead after HBO Sports president Ross Greenburg said Friday that negotiations have ended.
"After lots of discussion it became apparent that the business model doesn't make sense for either one of us," Greenburg said in a statement released to ESPN.com. "So, we agreed to go our separate ways. You never know what the future holds. We have enormous respect and admiration for the executives we dealt with at the UFC. We wish them well."
Within the industry, it is no secret that Greenburg was never a fan of the deal for HBO, which has been associated with boxing coverage for more than 30 years.
One of the central hang-ups to the deal was control over the production of the telecasts. UFC, under president Dana White, controls the production of its popular Spike network telecasts and pay-per-view cards. HBO was unwilling to cede control of the broadcast.
