As we head closer to the end of the year and look toward 2025, the most interesting topic of discussion has been the future of Top Rank. It is no secret that their deal with ESPN expires in the summer, and it appears ESPN will not be resigning them. So the question everyone has been asking is, where does Top Rank go from here? It’s been a while since we’ve had to ask that, and with so many different streaming platforms out there, the options are many, but only a few make sense. Here are a few options that have been created based on what is being whispered off the record and the public actions of the platforms as they move to absorb more live content.
Warner Bros. Discovery
FightsATW has heard whispers that Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) has been kicking the tires on potentially landing Top Rank and filling a live sports void left with the departure of the NBA leaving behind only some of their content. This could be one of the best places for Top Rank to land as they have multiple linear channels and the MAX app, which could be used to put on fights by Top Rank. The MAX platform could also add Top Rank’s archives, which aren’t exclusive to ESPN.
Only two months ago, wrestling promotion company AEW (All Elite Wrestling) signed a new deal with WBD, which will have its content on demand in 2025 via MAX, along with future PPV events. With MAX now having Bleacher Report on their platform as well, this could be an opportunity for Top Rank to not only have shows on MAX but also TNT, TruTV or TBS for the smaller fights they would normally run on ESPN or ESPN+. This could be a win/win for both sides as streaming platforms continue to hunt down live content.
WBD recently separated their linear and streaming divisions, so this could create a lane for the WBD/Top Rank deal if they were to go that route. The CEO and other executives were part of NBC Universal during the Al Haymon/PBC days on NBC, so they are familiar with how boxing is handled. They have several places they can place boxing content within their company, so this would make the most sense for Top Rank.
DAZN
Well, we have to see. I mean they’ve (DAZN) asked for a meeting with us, and we don’t want to be exclusive to anyone. We’re gonna have different packages for different networks and streaming platforms. DAZN is doing a great job in boxing and the people who run DAZN are friends of ours and I think it’s possible” Bob Arum on Top Rank’s future while on the Best Women’s Boxing Podcast Show.
DAZN is an interesting platform as they recently signed the FIFA Club World Cup 2025. It’s clear that DAZN wants to continue to add to its portfolio with the ultimate goal to land the NFL in some capacity. That has always been the goal, but platforms like YouTube and Netflix have beaten them to the punch. DAZN also announced last month that Queensberry Promotions has signed a deal with them to broadcast their events beginning in the spring, a deal Queensberry previously had with Top Rank & ESPN.
DAZN is looking to make itself a one-stop shop for boxing, and if they are successful, PBC would be the only major promotional company not with DAZN, which could freeze them out of fights in the future. I can foresee DAZN being really aggressive in pursuing the right to broadcast Top Rank fights and access to that vintage library on demand. It would be a power move by DAZN and one that they will use to try and land other major sports for their live content.
Netflix
We all witnessed Netflix crash during Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson in November, but that is the type of thing that needed to happen for them to know their limitations with live events and expand them from there. Netflix has been more of a boutique platform for live content, but they have been doing more this year, which leads many to believe that they are ready to take on even more. They struck a deal with the NFL to host some of their games during the Christmas holiday season, and they are going to begin their 10-year deal with the WWE in January to host Monday Night Raw live each week.
Netflix is another company that could look at Top Rank and find it as an interesting opportunity as they are already a well-oiled machine. Netflix wouldn’t want to start anything new where they must be heavily involved. With Top Rank, they could put them into play immediately and have the server room to house the Top Rank library. With the amount of revenue that Netflix brings in each year, they may not have to run a PPV model with Top Rank and could afford for them just to host shows on their worldwide platform. Netflix is unlikely to jump all into boxing, but it could be a company that takes on an event here and there if it has potential drawing power.
Final Thoughts
It’s been about seven years since Top Rank signed the ESPN exclusive deal, which saw them get boxing shows across ESPN Deportes, ESPN+, and ESPN Linear. With sports networks making changes with programming, it’s no surprise they decided not to resign Top Rank but it could be a blessing in disguise as other streaming platforms are waiting for an opportunity like this as they ramp up their live content. Top Rank will be with one or more new platforms sometime in 2025, and when they make that move, how will it impact the sport? Only time will tell, but for now, there will be more whispers from those showing interest publicly and privately.
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