Two-horse race.
Showtime are talking to two broadcasters and are close to confirming the full broadcast deal for the August 26 bout between Floyd Mayweather Jr and Conor McGregor.
Stephen Espinoza, chief executive of Showtime, told SportsJOE’s Darragh Murphy that talks are ongoing between Sky Sports [Box Office] and ITV [Box Office] for the exclusive broadcast rights. Viewers of BT Sport will have to look elsewhere for their May-Mac fix.
Stephen Espinoza tells me that the fight will either be broadcast by Sky Sports Box Office or ITV. Talks ongoing. #maymacworldtour
— Darragh Murphy (@DarrMurphy) July 14, 2017
Both Sky [Sports News] and ITV Box Office are covering the final leg of the Mayweather vs. McGregor world tour press conference in London.
One suspects that Showtime will go back to both parties once they see the success, and numbers, that flood in for the press conference.
Mayweather spoke with Sky before he entered the SSE Arena at Wembley. His comments were extremely glowing. To the viewers at home, he declared:
“Continue to support Sky Sports, you hear me? Sky Sports coming to you every night, for the best of sports.”
They’ve certainly got the backing of ‘Money’ Mayweather.
Floyd's entourage is actually ridiculous. #MayMacWorldTour pic.twitter.com/rdfMbfli62
— Darragh Murphy (@DarrMurphy) July 14, 2017
Once the main UK broadcaster is confirmed, the pay-per-view fee should soon follow. The US fee is $89.95 for the regular package, with an extra $10 expected if you want to watch in High Definition. The fee for fans on this side of the water is projected at £60.
We will bring you more as we have it.
