UFC CEO Dana White addressed significant changes coming to compensation following the organization’s television deal with Paramount. He confirmed that performance bonuses will increase while remaining uncertain about pay-per-view point restructuring.
During a recent Contender Series press conference, White fielded questions about how the UFC’s shift away from the traditional pay-per-view model will impact fighter pay structures. When pressed about whether the changes would require “massive restructuring of fighter pay,” White downplayed the scope while acknowledging important adjustments ahead.
“It’s not massive restructuring,” White explained. “We got a bunch of smart kids over there that work in the accounting department to figure out how to make all this stuff work. But it’s so good for the fighters.”
White was more definitive when discussing performance bonuses, stating clearly that “bonuses are obviously going up.” He emphasized the financial impact this change will have on fighters, noting that “just the number that the bonuses bring to a fighter is millions of dollars” and describing it as “the low-hanging fruit that’s easy to answer.”
However, when it came to broader compensation restructuring, particularly regarding how competitors will be incentivized without traditional pay-per-view revenue sharing, White remained vague. Asked whether the organization would handle changes “case by case with each fighter” or implement blanket increases to base pay and bonuses, White deferred specifics.
“I’m not going to have any comments on that yet because we still got to get together and figure this stuff out,” White said. “It’s August. We have till January to figure all that stuff.”
The uncertainty stems from the UFC’s transition away from the pay-per-view model that has traditionally provided top competitors with significant earnings through PPV points – a percentage of pay-per-view revenue that could result in million-dollar payouts for major stars. With most events now moving to streaming platforms, the organization faces the challenge of maintaining financial incentives for elite performers.
White acknowledged the complexity of the situation, explaining that different broadcast partners have varying objectives and business models. “Whatever happens with our partner when we go in and we do a new deal, we had different objectives and goals that they want to do with their property over the next several years,” he said.
The UFC CEO emphasized that the new Paramount deal represents a positive development for fighters overall, citing increased promotion opportunities across multiple networks and the backing of “aggressive, smart guys that are going to build a big media company.”
While specific details about compensation restructuring remain unclear, White’s confirmation of increased bonuses provides at least one concrete benefit competitors can expect when the new television deal takes effect in January.
