Top Rank signs 7-year deal with ESPN

Top Rank has solidified it’s relationship with ESPN for years to come. Today both the promotional company and network announced that they have inked a seven-year contract described as “the most comprehensive, exclusive rights agreement in the history of boxing.”

The new deal replaces Top Rank’s previous four-year deal with the network that started just last summer and will extend through the summer of 2025. The deal paves the way for 54 live boxing events each year combined with shoulder programming, past fights from Top Rank’s library, as well as new content which has yet to be revealed.

Of the 54 live events per year, 18 of those cards will air on the flagship ESPN network and 12 additional prime time cards will stream directly on ESPN+. The other 24 cards will be “premium international events” which will also stream on ESPN+ — basically overseas fights that Top Rank acquires the U.S. broadcast rights to.

“ESPN is thrilled with this new long-term agreement with Top Rank, which represents the most innovative and comprehensive relationship in the world of boxing today,” said Jimmy Pitaro, ESPN president and the co-chairman of Disney Media Networks. “By creating and distributing significantly more Top Rank events and boxing content, ESPN and Top Rank will jointly cultivate upcoming fighters and fights, creating the stars of tomorrow while providing fans with the sport’s best content in a more personalized manner.”

All in all this means that there will be a lot more boxing for the foreseeable future, which is indeed a good thing.