Morning Report: Conor McGregor may ask for equity in the UFC should the company sell
Conor McGregor certainly isn't shy about how much he thinks he's worth.
McGregor's coach John Kavanagh recently released a book detailing his career coaching MMA, which prominently features the Irish superstar and to promote his book, Kavanagh has been making the media rounds. This past weekend, in an interview with Tom Lyons of Business Post, Kavanagh spoke about his charge's position in the UFC amidst rumors of an impending sale.
"What will happen when it is sold, if it is sold? Short answer is, I don't know what will happen the daily operations of it . . . it is a truly global company now. Like any big takeover, there will be a period of finding your feet again."
That period of "finding your feet" may spell big opportunity for McGregor. Kavanagh appears to be of the belief that the promotion will indeed be sold and brought up to Lyons that in such an event McGregor may indeed seek equity in the company from the new ownership group.
"Conor will have thought of this and I am sure, when he is sitting down with his new overlords, he will have that conversation."
As Kavanagh notes, a change of leadership is often accompanied by a period of uncertainty; such uncertainty may concern the new ownership who will reportedly be purchasing the UFC for over $4 billion. As such, it gives the Irish superstar even more leverage over the company than he already has. McGregor is the biggest star in the UFC and his presence on any fight card essentially commands over a million pay-per-view buys. Moreover, McGregor also fights extremely frequently, rare for any star in the UFC. If he refuses to fight absent equity in the promotion, the new owners will suddenly be staring at a markedly less valuable commodity. Conversely, after spending $4 billion it seems unlikely that the new owners will be inclined to give away even more value to a third party.
Kavanagh didn't just stop at suggesting McGregor is intending to carve out a chunk of the UFC for himself though, he also spoke on the much rumored boxing match between McGregor and Floyd Mayweather Jr. saying that the bout could only occur if the two stars were splitting the take evenly.
"There was talk that Conor would get $7 million and Floyd would get the rest of it. It will be an even share or Conor will not do it . . . There is no one generating the type of media that Conor is. It would have to be an even split. Conor is not going to take it if Floyd is getting more than him. Floyd needs Conor more than Conor needs Floyd right now."
Assuming these statements are true, this pretty much negates the possibility of a McGregor vs. Mayweather match. Mayweather is the biggest draw in the history of pay-per-view, holding the top three spots in the ranking of most PPV buys for a sporting event. Part of the long delay in making the long sought after Mayweather-Pacquiao fight was Mayweather's refusal to do an even split of the PPV revenue. If Manny Pacquiao couldn't get more than 40 percent of the revenue, there is zero chance McGregor gets even split.
Whether all of this is just Kavanagh talking or McGregor actually believes he can command these exorbitant payments is yet to be determined. One thing is for certain though, Conor McGregor is one of the biggest stars in the history of the UFC. He made his name on the back of spectacular knockouts and virtuoso oration, often on the topic of his love for making "truckloads of money." If he can wrangle equity in a $4 billion dollar company, even a truck won't be able to carry all of his money.
5 MUST-READ STORIES
Much obliged. Conor McGregor says he is still going "back and forth" with the UFC over media obligations.
Papa Northcutt. Sage Northcutt responds to the sparring accusations made by Ilya Grad.
Suspended IV 6 months. USADA suspends B.J. Penn for 6 months for his IV use.
Afraid. Anderson Silva calls out Michael Bisping, saying he is afraid of a rematch.
Moneyweight. Vitor Belfort wants a "money fight" against Anderson Silva.
EXTRA CREDIT READING
Rematch. Nathan McCarter of Bleacher Report breaks down the upcoming rematch between T.J. Dillashaw and Raphael Assuncao.
MEDIA STEW
Mark Hunt from this past weekend talking Brock and a possible Barnett fight with the man himself.
So here is Hunto icing Francisco Mir.
Cain and Rockhold in the corner during Jones vs. Cormier.
Teaser for the soon to be Ronda and Conor Bud Light commercial.
LISTEN UP
Cheap Seats.
Knuckle Up.
TFATK
TWEETS
For anyone who lives in the Edmonton area, this is for the men who killed Ryan Jimmo. If you see something, let them know.
Police seek suspect vehicle following fatal hit and run: The Edmonton Police Service Homicide Section is asking for… https://t.co/orMapMZQVj
— Edmonton Police (@edmontonpolice) June 26, 2016
No. No no no no no no no no. Noooooooope. 1000 times nope.
Hey @GeorgesStPierre if you can make 155 easily, I'm free in November and would love the opportunity to fight you at 155 pounds in New York.
— BJ PENN (@bjpenndotcom) June 27, 2016
Yes. Yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yesssssssssss. All the way yes.
Might have some news regarding my next fight soon... Stay tuned https://t.co/ni7L12cZhz
— Carlos Condit (@CarlosCondit) June 28, 2016
DL just grooving.
Grinding lol #ufcfightpass #ufc #Zumba #theblackbeast pic.twitter.com/ddel4MkZSq
— Derrick Lewis (@Thebeast_ufc) June 27, 2016
I have no idea what is going on here but I love everything about it.
Why so serious... #egooteam @joannamma @KarolinaMMA @artur_sowinski pic.twitter.com/lrQVpOr9c1
— Łukasz Jurkowski (@Jurasmma) June 27, 2016
Michael Chiesa details the injury that forced him out of his fight with Tony Ferguson.
— Michael Chiesa (@MikeMav22) June 27, 2016
The Spartan got jokes.
Friends with "benefits?" #ThreeAmigos https://t.co/Fi6WYBwkTS
— The Spartan (@EliasTheodorou) June 28, 2016
And now we are about to enter the Daniel Cormier section of Tweets because there are quite a few of them worthwhile.
After calling Cain the best he then went on to defend the statement against Twitter people who were saying it is Jon Jones.
Cain is better! 100% only I know I've gone with both https://t.co/vf6o3Q1GB5
— Daniel Cormier (@dc_mma) June 27, 2016
This seems improbable.
No chance. Cain wins 10 out of 10 against him https://t.co/QbMXUn79Tx
— Daniel Cormier (@dc_mma) June 27, 2016
But don't worry, he's not just saying it because Cain is his friend and teammate.
Being 100 percent genuine. I've gone with both and I'm giving honest assessment. https://t.co/RHkOus6YMx
— Daniel Cormier (@dc_mma) June 27, 2016
This actually may be correct.
Boxing https://t.co/bLT6wayUiQ
— Daniel Cormier (@dc_mma) June 27, 2016
DC taking the old man tack on Bones is a good strategy.
No absolutely not! If you haven't noticed it is not 1999. https://t.co/C9w9drkfj1
— Daniel Cormier (@dc_mma) June 27, 2016
He does say that Jon is his toughest opponent. But Gus beats out Rumble which is a bit surprising.
Gustafson hands down. He's a best https://t.co/ppQMhz4hPM
— Daniel Cormier (@dc_mma) June 27, 2016
FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS
Anthony Johnson (21-5-0) vs. Glover Teixeira (25-4-0); UFC 202, August 20.
Donald Cerrone (30-7-0) vs. Rick Story (19-8-0); UFC 202, August 20.
Enrique Barzola (11-2-1) vs. Kyle Bochniak (6-1-0); UFC on Fox 21, August 27.
Lauren Murphy (9-2-0) vs. Katlyn Chookagian (7-0-0); UFC Fight Night 91, July 13.
TODAY IN MMA HISTORY
2005: Yuka Tsuji won the first ever Smackgirl lightweight (115 lb.) championship, defeating Hisae Watanabi by armbar at Smackgirl: Road to Dynamic!!
2006: Anderson Silva made his UFC debut, knocking out Chris Leben with one of the most violent minutes in UFC history at UFC Fight Night 5.
2014: The UFC held two events on this day: UFC Fight Night 43 in Auckland, New Zealand and UFC Fight Night 44 in San Antonio, Texas. 43 was headlined by Nate Marquardt submitting James Te Huna with an armbar and 44 featured Cub Swanson winning a 5 round unanimous decision over Jeremy Stephens.
FINAL THOUGHTS
If Conor thinks he's getting 50-50 off Floyd he has lost his mind. I tend to think his bravado in the face of a rematch with the stylistic nightmare that is Nate Diaz is bonkers but he has an infinitely better chance of "toying" with Nate than he does of getting even 40% of a split with Floyd. Not that that fight is ever happening, but still.
Anyway, that's it for today y'all. Until tomorrow, be easy.
If you find something you'd like to see in the Morning Report, just hit me up on Twitter @JedKMeshew and let me know about it.