Viacom Buys Bellator – The Game Has Changed | Women's Sports Blog Network: Women Talk Sports

Viacom Buys Bellator – The Game Has Changed

posted by Wombat Sports
Wednesday, October 26, 2011 at 10:56am EDT

Wombat sports is dedicated to women in combat sports. Former news editor of “Fightergirls” MarQ Piocos has been covering Women’s MMA for over three years, having picked up coverage of wrestling, boxing, and grappling. It is his vision to bring some of the best coverage to help bring and promote the ever expanding popularity of women’s MMA, wrestling, and martial arts with some of the best writers and athletes.

Support women's sports and SHARE this story with your friends!

Women’s MMA may have found a savor in Viacom.

USA Today broke the news early this morning that Viacom has purchased majority share of Bellator MMA and is moving the product to Spike TV come 2013. Bellator is currently on MTV2, another Viacom property; and has a strong partnership with CBS and Showtime.

What makes this deal particularly interesting is that this is the first time a media conglomerate has purchased a MMA organization. Viacom can brand and concentrate long term of what MMA they show and not have to worry about renewing contracts with a independent entity like Zuffa. They will concentrate on building stars and signing top names in MMA.

What does this mean for women’s MMA? Plenty.

With Strikeforce possibly being absorbed by the UFC if Showtime and Strikeforce does not come to a deal, female fighters like Cyborg Santos, Miesha Tate, and Sarah Kaufman among others won’t have a major organization to call home. Bellator needs marketable players in MMA, and established stars from Strikeforce would be the easy fix. One of the highest rated MMA matches in history was Gina Carano’s match with Kaitlin Young on CBS. It’s hard not for a media company to see value in that.

This doesn’t discount those who are signed to Bellator, including Megumi Fujii, Rosi Sexton, Jessica Eye, Jessica Aguilar, and champion Zoila Frausto.

It will be interesting to see where Viacom takes MMA with its resources and money.

Support women's sports and SHARE this story with your friends!

Filed Under:

ongoing stories

Zuffa buys Strikeforce - what it means for Women's MMA
WorkInSports

View Original Post at wombatsports.wordpress.com

View MarQFPR's Full Profile

No one has commented on this yet. Be the first!

SIGNUP FOR A WOMEN TALK SPORTS ACCOUNT:

A Women Talk Sports account allows you to maintain a profile at www.womentalksports.com and login to comment on posts using your WTS identity.

Fields marked with a * are required.

Your First Name*:

Your Last Name*:

Your E-mail*:

Your Website:

Your Location:

Your Twitter Username:

Create a WTS Username*:

Create a Password*:

Confirm Password*:

Check here to receive bi-weekly emails from Women Talk Sports and partners highlighting discussions on our site and upcoming women's sporting events, as well as informing you of new products, services and special offers.

I accept the Terms & Conditions for joining Women Talk Sports

Viacom Buys Bellator – The Game Has Changed

Zuffa buys Strikeforce - what it means for Women's MMA

WorkInSports

More from this author: