WME-IMG, owners of the UFC, have put a $10 million price tag on the rights to be the title sponsor of the Aug. 26 fight between Floyd Mayweather and Conor McGregor, according to Darren Rovell of ESPN.com.
Per Rovell, “The $10 million would nearly double boxing’s largest single-fight sponsorship, the $5.6 million that Tecate paid for Mayweather-Pacquiao in May 2015.”
Rovell continued, “The sponsoring company would get its logo at the center of the ring at Las Vegas’ T-Mobile Arena, its branding on ring girls, on two of the ropes and in the two nonfighter corners of the ring. The deal also includes sponsorship of the first minute of every round on the broadcast and $500,000 in tickets.”
Sponsorship opportunities are also being offered in each corner of the ring, on both Mayweather and McGregor’s sides. If the fight ultimately sells those sponsorships at those price points, Rovell reported it would be the largest sponsorship package ever sold at a fight.
Certainly, it’s hard to imagine a fight with more intrigue than Mayweather vs. McGregor. Mayweather is returning from retirement and seeking the 50th win of his career. He has never lost a boxing match. McGregor, meanwhile, is transitioning from the UFC Octagon—where he has won championships in the lightweight and featherweight division—to the boxing ring for the fight.
Plus, both Mayweather and McGregor are the biggest personalities in their respective sports. The storylines for the fight, then, are both clear and easily marketable. Will Mayweather be in top form after retiring? Can McGregor put up any sort of a challenge fighting a totally different style? If the fight is compelling and closely contested, will future UFC-boxing crossover fights offer similar appeal?
Add it all up, and it isn’t surprising the asking price for sponsors is so high. One storyline that has never been subtle in regards to this fight: It’s all about the money.
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