PFL renews broadcast deal with ESPN

The PFL has signed a new multi-year deal with U.S. broadcast partner ESPN, the promotion announced Thursday.

The regular season, playoffs, and championship will be available on ESPN linear platforms and ESPN+. The new PFL PPV Super Fight Division, which launches in 2024, will be on ESPN+ pay-per-view.

"We've had five successful seasons on ESPN and we're excited for the next phase of growth for MMA and the Professional Fighters League with this agreement," PFL CEO Peter Murray said in a release.

"Our innovative sport-season format, elite roster of athletes, and the launch of the PFL PPV Super Fight Division, which will feature some of the world's greatest combat sports stars such as Francis Ngannou and Jake Paul, are ushering in the new era of MMA as a mainstream global sports entertainment platform."

The deal comes two weeks after the PFL acquired Bellator from Paramount Global, which cemented itself as the second-biggest MMA promotion in North America.

The PFL's new Bellator franchise - the Bellator International Championship Series - is not part of the new media rights deal, according to MMA reporter Ariel Helwani. The PFL is currently seeking a separate deal for Bellator-branded events.

ESPN and the PFL began its partnership in 2019.