PFL signs ESPN Africa deal
April 14, 2022
The Professional Fighters League (PFL) has announced a media rights agreement with ESPN Africa for the 2022 Season. Under the agreement, the network will become the exclusive PFL content provider in Sub-Saharan Africa and include live coverage of the Regular Season, Playoffs and PFL World Championship. In addition to live event coverage, audiences will have access to the PFL highlights show and other content from the league. ESPN is the home of US sports in Africa and PFL will be broadcast alongside other popular global sports properties, such as the NFL and NBA. PFL Lightweight Don Madge, a Johannesburg, South Africa native, will make his PFL Regular Season debut on April 20 in the co-main event against 2021 PFL Lightweight World Champion Raush Manfio. Madge defeated Nate Williams by a 2nd round submission at the PFL World Championship in October 2021 in a showcase bout and will look to continue the momentum at PFL 1 at Esports Stadium Arlington.
“The PFL is thrilled to announce our exclusive broadcast agreement with ESPN Africa to deliver the PFL 2022 Season events to MMA fans across the continent and expand our partnership with the worldwide leader in sports,” said PFL CEO Peter Murray. “Africa is a priority market for the PFL and we are committed to signing fighters from the continent as well as hosting future events there to help accelerate the growth of the sport.”
“We are excited to have secured the broadcast rights to the 2022 season of the Professional Fighters League for ESPN Africa,” added Kyle De Klerk, Director: Sports, The Walt Disney Company Africa. “The PFL will complement our current international and local sports offering, bringing viewers the excitement, adrenalin and exhilaration that are synonymous with this no holds barred, world-class mixed martial arts league,” he added.