Bellator MMA to Report to Showtime Exec Stephen Espinoza Following CBS-Viacom Merger
Some changes are on the horizon for Bellator MMA.
According to a report from Variety, the California-based promotion will now report to Showtime Sports president Stephen Espinoza. The move comes in conjunction with the recent merger between Viacom, Bellator’s parent company, and CBS.
Scott Coker will remain president of Bellator but will now report
to Espinoza, who is in charge of boxing for Showtime. Espinoza was
a prominent figure during the lead-up Floyd
Mayweather vs. Conor
McGregor boxing match in 2017, often clashing with UFC
president Dana White and the Irish fighter.
At the moment, it is unclear if this will result in a change in broadcast plans for Bellator, which currently airs on Paramount Network and Dazn. The report has fueled speculation that the promotion could eventually move to Showtime or CBS. Nothing has been decided at the moment, however.
Strikeforce, which was previously led by Coker before being bought by Zuffa and merging into the UFC, aired on Showtime before shuttering its doors.
According to a report from Variety, the California-based promotion will now report to Showtime Sports president Stephen Espinoza. The move comes in conjunction with the recent merger between Viacom, Bellator’s parent company, and CBS.
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At the moment, it is unclear if this will result in a change in broadcast plans for Bellator, which currently airs on Paramount Network and Dazn. The report has fueled speculation that the promotion could eventually move to Showtime or CBS. Nothing has been decided at the moment, however.
Strikeforce, which was previously led by Coker before being bought by Zuffa and merging into the UFC, aired on Showtime before shuttering its doors.
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