All current Glory developments

[K1power]

There seem to be a lot of things currently going on behind the scenes at Glory.

Here's a quick overview that should cover most of it:

Below was posted by Rollermanskunk on the Mixfight forum:

According to LiverKick In less than two weeks Glory will announce that they are being taken over by a huge media multinational (50 Billion revenue). In all likelyhood it's Viacom (owner of SpikeTV and Bellator). This could mean yet another re-organization, but also budget enlargement (return of Ghita, Saki and Spong?) There are also rumors of a crossover event between Bellator and Glory to be held this May.

So, the unconfirmed rumors concerning the upcoming "huge" announcemnt are:
- Viacom is buying Glory
- Possible re-signing of big names that left the org
- Possible Crossover event with Bellator in May

Regarding the schedule for this year (as mentioned by the Romanian TV commentator during the Glory 19 broadcast):
- 10 Events in the US
- 1 Event in Romania
- 1 Event in Amsterdam (Rumored to be in June on MixFight)
- 1 Event in Paris (Rumored on Sherdog)

I expect not all 10 US events to be high profile ones, perhaps some more Road 2 Glory stuff or something.

Additionally, Glory has a new TV deal with CBS Sports Network to air the SuperFight Series.
There was also a PPV Stream for the event that included the SFS (SFS was already available during the weekend on various P2P outlets)

Glory is in talks with or has already contracted WWE wrestler Alberto del Rio who is best known for this:


It's funny that some of the people who were flaming K-1 for their freakshow fights are now justifying a move like this.

There were also talks of Glory bringing back MMA fights.

Then there's also the people who think Glory is "going to war with GFC", because they're holding an event in Dubai two weeks before GFC does. I find that funny because even if GFC has bigger names featured on their card, they cannot hold a candle to even SuperKombat.

In conclusion, despite the 1001 issues I have with Glory I still look forward to their events and they usually put together entertaining cards. I'm curious to see what of the above actually comes to fruition.

While I currently don't consider Glory #1 org anymore (that position is pretty much up for grabs right now) Viacom buying Glory could give them a big boost.

[K1power]

BTW I have about 0 faith in that Amsterdam event actually happening.

[Kenshin (Banned)]

As far as US TV goes, my personal favourite to take over Glory would be Showtime. I think they did a pretty good job with StrikeForce.

[rictor]

We're in the US in May, June, we're taking July off. If Petrosyan is fighting in April then realistically we wouldn't expect to book him until after our June layoff. We did a good show in Milan a couple of years ago and there's been a lot of demand for us to go back, so maybe we'll hit Milan in Fall with Petrosyan in the main or co-main.

Apparently it's from Glory's UG forum account. Bullshit or the talks between K-1 and Petro didn't go anywhere?

Props for the summary, K1power.

[fartsmeller]

I find the idea of Viacom buying Glory a bit baffling. What would they gain from it given that they already have all the power in the relationship anyway, and the ratings haven't been setting the world on fire. I know Kevin Kay is big on combat sports and potential synergy between boxing, kickboxing, and MMA, but if the viability of the TV product never emerges then the whole thing goes away. There's no life after TV if you're a TV brand.

I can't blame the money men for wanting to cash out now that the organisation is a bit of a wounded animal, but it makes me concerned, and realistically the GFC guy has to be the final millionaire in an inexplicably long line willing to lose his ass on kickboxing, right?

[rictor]

Yeah. If it's really Viacom I wouldn't be too sure it goes into the direction some are expecting. For one, if Bellator would be any indicator and if anything didn't change in the recent years, I don't think they were paying that much money outside of a few marketable names so I don't know how it would really stand up to the current prices of kickboxing market that was already damaged by Glory and is being damaged by GFC. Also, you could be almost sure they would want to force exclusivity. Also, with Viacom owning it wouldn't the org become a solely TV product? In the sense that only TV ratings matter, f*** the gate and other revenues. So it would also mean focusing on Americans or names that have market value in US already (like Alberto del Rio exactly) and not neceserilly the top level kickboxers.

[h]

Alberto Del Rio FTW. 9-5 in MMA. PROWRESTLING STYLE BABY.

[dvewlsh]

Here's the thing about Spike/Viacom.

I've heard rumors of Spike looking to expand into other territories, possibly with Bellator.

I wouldn't be shocked if we saw Bellator re-branded within the next few months as 'Spike Fights' or something similar and not shocked if Glory ends up falling under that banner.

Also, c'mon, I never 'reported' it anywhere. 

[dvewlsh]

Also, I'm hearing that people within Glory know nothing about such a buyout/takeover and are unhappy about said talk being around the interwebz.

Take that for what it is.

[h]

damn interwebz always causing problems.

[K1power]

Feb 10, 2015 20:00:46 GMT 1 dvewlsh said:

Also, c'mon, I never 'reported' it anywhere. 

I think Roller used "LiverKick" since the members on MixFight don't know you by name.

[dvewlsh]

Yeah, I've got people from GLORY all pissed at me because of that and it popping up on Sherdog.

[fartsmeller]

If Viacom really want to break into Europe and cross-promote their shows, then they should give up on trying to kludge MMA and kickboxing together and look to the show that consistently beats all their combat sports: a Dutch kickboxing episode of COPS

[K1power]

Ratings for Glory 19 are in:

Average of 542.000 viewers with a peak of 825.000.

[dvewlsh]

Feb 11, 2015 10:29:45 GMT 1 fartsmeller said:

If Viacom really want to break into Europe and cross-promote their shows, then they should give up on trying to kludge MMA and kickboxing together and look to the show that consistently beats all their combat sports: a Dutch kickboxing episode of COPS

I just spit coffee everywhere.