Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images
Restructuring is happening and Bellator will see major changes.
Viacom and CBS completed a merger last December, and it is bringing a lot of changes within the massive company. Combat sports properties under this umbrella will naturally be affected, and as ViacomCBS continues to restructure, one of the major changes will be involving Bellator.
As Variety reports, Bellator will now report under Stephen Espinoza. Scott Coker will continue his role as president of Bellator, but will now be reporting to the Showtime Sports President.
According to Variety, “the move to Showtime Sports is designed to help integrate Bellator more fully into ViacomCBS’ content strategies.”
The MMA promotion currently airs on the Paramount Network. Whether or not this restructuring means they would move to Showtime or CBS, Coker told MMA Fighting that “nothing’s decided yet” on that front.
Espinoza oversees Showtime boxing, and for has been known for building that brand and signing stars like Floyd Mayweather during his tenure. MMA fans might remember him for his role during the MayMac event, where he clashed with the opposing UFC personalities.
Espinoza has been critical of the UFC’s business practices in the past, while Conor McGregor and Dana White have both hurled insults towards him as well.