The upcoming 154-pound boxing match between undefeated former boxing champion Floyd Mayweather (49-0) and UFC Lightweight champion Conor McGregor is much more about money-making spectacle than it is actual sport. Indeed, company executives on both sides, as well as both fighters, stand to make a killing once all the receipts are tallied. From T-Mobile Arena's gate to merchandise to pay-per-view (PPV) buys, the potential revenue streams are numerous ... and mind-boggling.
MMAmania.com’s John Nash provides the estimate breakdown in the video above, but also carved out below:
Gate: $60 million already and tickets are still available - $73 million
Closed circuit: $150 per seat with about 50,000 seats available - $7 million
Bars: Establishments must pay $20-$50 per head (based on occupancy) - $15 million
Sponsorships: Expected to double Mayweather vs. Pacquiao - $28 million
Foreign investment: International television deals - $35 million
Merchandise: Shirts, hats and other swag - $2 million
That’s more than $160 million before the most lucrative revenue stream, PPV, is factored into the equation. Conservative (inter) national estimates range from 3.4 million to 5.3 (Mayweather vs. Pacquiao), while Dave Meltzer revealed that event organizers were peddling an astronomical number to potential sponsors that was closer to 8.4 million (7 million buys in the United States and 1.4 million abroad). That would push the PPV haul over the $700 million mark.
And if those lofty projections are indeed reached and/or eclipsed, Mayweather ($350 million), McGregor ($110 million) and UFC ($50 million) would be rolling in cash. But, it’s not all about the money, right?
For much more on “Mayweather vs. McGregor” be sure to hit up our comprehensive (and impressive) collection of event-related stories right here.
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