UFC Strikes $7.7B Deal with Paramount

The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) is the world's leading mixed martial arts (MMA) promotion company, founded in 1993 by Art Davie, Rorion Gracie, and Bob Meyrowitz. Initially conceived as an experimental event to determine the most effective martial art in real combat, the UFC has evolved into a global sports phenomenon. The first event, UFC 1, was held in Denver, Colorado, and featured a single-elimination tournament with minimal rules, won by Royce Gracie, a Brazilian jiu-jitsu practitioner[1][2][3]. ### History and Evolution In its early years, the UFC faced criticism for its brutality, leading to the introduction of stricter rules and safety measures. By the late 1990s, weight classes and prohibited techniques were implemented, and the Unified Rules of MMA were adopted around 2000, significantly enhancing the sport's legitimacy[2][4]. The UFC's financial struggles in the early 2000s were alleviated when the Fertitta brothers and Dana White purchased the company in 2001. Their leadership transformed the UFC into a mainstream success, notably through the reality TV show "The Ultimate Fighter," which aired in 2005[4]. ### Key Achievements and Current Status The UFC has made several strategic acquisitions, including Pride Fighting Championships in 2007 and Strikeforce in 2011, solidifying its position as the premier MMA promotion[1]. Today, the UFC operates across multiple continents, hosting events in various countries and featuring top fighters like Jon Jones and Georges St-Pierre. The organization has expanded to include 12 weight divisions for men and women, reflecting its growth and diversification[5]. ### Notable Aspects The UFC is recognized for its innovative approach to sports marketing and its ability to integrate technology into its events, enhancing fan engagement and broadcast quality. Its global reach and popularity have made it a significant player in the sports industry, attracting millions of fans

Paramount Pictures is one of the oldest and most influential film studios in the world, with its origins dating back to 1912 when Adolph Zukor founded the Famous Players Film Company. It officially became Paramount Pictures after a series of mergers with Jesse L. Lasky’s company and the distribution firm Paramount Pictures Corporation, founded by W.W. Hodkinson, who also designed the iconic mountain-and-stars logo symbolizing the studio’s roster of contracted stars[1][2][4][7]. This logo has become one of the most recognizable in entertainment history, initially featuring 24 stars representing its prominent actors[4]. Throughout its history, Paramount has been a pioneer in the film industry, producing and distributing landmark films and franchises such as *The Godfather*, *Breakfast at Tiffany’s*, and *Indiana Jones*, helping shape Hollywood’s Golden Age and modern blockbuster era[6]. The studio experienced significant ups and downs, including financial struggles during the Great Depression when it gambled on provocative films, and later corporate transformations. In 1966, Gulf+Western Industries acquired Paramount, marking a strategic shift toward media and communications, culminating in the rebranding as Paramount Communications in 1989[6]. Paramount’s legacy includes key contributions to technological and cultural milestones in entertainment. It was the last major studio physically located in Hollywood, maintaining a historic connection to the film industry’s roots[4]. The company has also been at the forefront of evolving media landscapes, adapting to changes in distribution, ownership, and content delivery, notably under Viacom ownership in the 1990s, which saw a resurgence in box office success[6]. Today, Paramount remains a major player in global media, producing diverse content across film, television, and digital platforms, continuing its century-long tradition of innovation and influence in entertainment and media technology. Its enduring brand and extensive library underscore its significant role in the intersection of business, culture, and technology in the entertainment industry.

ESPN, originally the Entertainment and Sports Programming Network, is a dominant American sports media corporation headquartered in Bristol, Connecticut. Founded in 1979 by Bill Rasmussen, Scott Rasmussen, and Ed Eagan, ESPN pioneered the concept of a 24-hour all-sports cable network, quickly establishing itself as the "Worldwide Leader in Sports." Today, ESPN is owned 80% by The Walt Disney Company and 20% by Hearst Communications, operating as ESPN Inc. The organization broadcasts from its main studios in Bristol, with additional offices and studios across the U.S., and reaches audiences globally through 64 linear networks and digital platforms in 141 countries. ESPN’s rise was fueled by securing broadcast rights to major professional and collegiate sports, making it a household name. At its peak in 2011, ESPN reached over 100 million U.S. pay TV households, though that number has since declined to about 70 million as viewership shifts toward digital platforms. ESPN’s portfolio now includes seven U.S. cable networks (ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNEWS, ESPNU, ESPN Deportes, SEC Network, ACC Network), ESPN on ABC, ESPN Radio, and a robust digital presence via ESPN.com, the ESPN App, and ESPN Fantasy Sports. A key achievement in recent years is the launch of ESPN+, its direct-to-consumer streaming service introduced in 2018, which has expanded to include thousands of live events and original programming. In August 2025, ESPN launched a new flagship direct-to-consumer product, offering two subscription tiers—ESPN Unlimited and ESPN Select—providing access to all ESPN networks and exclusive content. This move reflects ESPN’s strategic pivot to adapt to changing media consumption habits, including partnerships with entities like WWE for premium live events. Despite facing challenges such as rising broadcast costs and criticism over coverage biases, ESPN remains a major force in sports media,

Skydance Media is a diversified global media and entertainment company founded in 2010 by David Ellison, who envisioned creating a multi-platform studio producing high-quality, event-level content spanning feature films, television, animation, interactive media, and new media experiences[1][3][7]. Headquartered in Santa Monica, California, Skydance has grown to employ over 500 people across two continents, developing a strong reputation for innovation and versatility in entertainment[1][3]. The company’s origins trace back to 2006, when David Ellison, an accomplished pilot inspired by aerobatics (“skydancing”), helped finance the World War I aviation film *Flyboys*. Formally launched in 2010 with a $350 million financing deal supported by Ellison’s father, Larry Ellison, Skydance quickly secured a co-financing agreement with Paramount Pictures, gaining access to major film projects and distribution[2]. Its first major hit was the 2010 remake of *True Grit*, directed by the Coen Brothers, which earned 10 Academy Award nominations and became one of the highest-grossing westerns of the 21st century[1][2]. Skydance solidified its prominence with blockbuster franchises such as *Mission: Impossible*—notably *Ghost Protocol* (2011), which featured Tom Cruise performing stunts on the Burj Khalifa and became the highest-grossing film in the series at that time—and expanded into television with successful series like Amazon’s *Reacher* and *Tom Clancy's Jack Ryan*[1][5]. The company has also diversified into New Media (2019) and Sports (2021) divisions, reflecting its strategic multi-platform approach[5]. In 2025, Skydance merged with Paramount Global in an $8 billion deal to form Paramount, a Skydance Corporation, creating a next-generation media powerhouse combining Skydance’s production and technological expertise with Paramount’s vast creative library and global