As Dana White Avoids Shaquille O’Neal Type TNT Controversy, Major Confession on TV Deal Revealed by CEO

UFC CEO Dana White is determined to take ‘Power Slap’ to the next level. The ‘slap fighting’ league launched by the UFC boss in 2023, recently held the ‘Power Slap 8’ event in front of 3,500 fans and drew a lot of attention because of former UFC fighter Paige VanZant making her debut in the league. The show is currently broadcast live and free on the ‘Rumble’ platform but with their rights deal now coming to an end, the UFC boss has indicated his intentions to take the show to a different broadcast destination.

The situation is similar to the recent uproar surrounding the fate of ‘Inside the NBA’ on TNT, with the NBA formalizing its new broadcasting deals. This has led to concerns among many fans for the beloved show featuring Charles Barkley, Ernie Johnson, Kenny Smith, and Shaquille O’Neal ending their decades-long critically acclaimed partnership. However, in a recent interview, Dana White indicated that his focus is on just one thing while the NBA navigates its own challenges.

Dana White reveals ‘Power Slap’ is in conversation with “everybody” for new broadcast deal 

At the recent post-event press conference after ‘Power Slap 8’, Dana White was asked to share his thoughts on what the plans are since the ‘slap-fighting’ league’s broadcast rights have now come to an end. White shared, “So, our rights deals are up, we’re talking to everybody right now, I mean me and Lorenzo Ferttita, we’re talking to all the streaming networks, we’re talking to you know, online, I don’t wanna be too specific and we’re talking to all the majors”

The UFC boss also indicated that he is exploring all possible avenues to ensure the best outcome for ‘Power Slap’ and its future as he claimed, “…we are already in talks with all the majors right now for this thing, you know what we’re going to do. I don’t how many f**king times I gotta sit infront of everybody and tell everybody what I’m gonna do and then we go out and do it.”

White’s confidence in ‘Power Slap’s ability to grow was also highlighted when he later stated in the press conference that, “this will be bigger than the UFC…” and in his appearance on the ‘Flagrant’ podcast with Andrew Schulz, the UFC head honcho had claimed that ‘Power Slap’ currently has over a billion views on YouTube which indicate the viewership appeal of the product.

As such, White’s proactive approach contrasts sharply with the uncertainty surrounding the NBA’s potential shift away from TNT which has caused concern among fans and industry insiders about the possibility of losing iconic shows like ‘Inside The NBA’ and the banter between Charles Barkley and Shaquille O’Neal.

UFC boss’s approach provides a different perspective on TNT’s NBA struggles 

According to reports by the Sports Business Journal, the NBA is close to finalizing contracts with Disney, NBC, and Amazon for game rights. This move could end the league’s partnership with Warner Bros. Discovery’s TNT, marking the possible conclusion of “Inside the NBA” on the network. Rumors have also circulated that the entire ‘Inside the NBA’ team—Barkley, Johnson, Shaquille O’Neal, and Kenny Smith—might move to another network such as ESPN, NBC, or Amazon.

However, various sources have suggested that Shaquille O’Neal might not continue in television due to his role as president of Reebok Basketball and his various business endeavors. In a recent interview with Frank Isola and Brian Scalabrine on SiriusXM NBA Radio, Charles Barkley stated, “But I really feel bad, man. Because 200 people are probably going to lose their jobs with Turner if we lose the NBA.”

In conclusion, while the NBA’s broadcast future remains in flux, Dana White’s strategic and confident approach promises a bright future for ‘Power Slap’ and with the evolving broadcast landscape for all sports, it remains to be seen if the ‘slap fighting’ league can attain the highs White has envisioned for it.

Do you think ‘Power Slap’ will overshadow the UFC in terms of popularity as claimed by Dana White? Share your thoughts in the comments below.