The mammoth $4.2 billion sale of the UFC in July, dealt repercussions in varying degrees to a lot of people. Lorenzo Fertitta no longer remained a majority stake owner, handing over the reigns to Dana White; “The Boss” eschewed a larger ownership stake for a grudging $360 million and 9% of the company’s profits for the next five years; and last but not least, let’s not forget the next most recognisable face in the UFC – Joe Rogan.
The master of hype for the Mt. Everest of MMA, stated plainly that he would part ways with the UFC in case its ownership changed hands and the fact that his contract was due to end the next month, only made that eventuality loom nearer.
While it did not come to pass, Rogan and his longtime broadcast partner, Mike Goldberg, have experienced less time calling fights. Brian Stann, Jon Anik, Dan Hardy and John Gooden have been phased in increasingly often.
This could mean that the veteran voices of the UFC are on their way out, according to entimports.com. Combat sports pundit Dave Meltzer, said on his podcast that the new owners of the UFC are looking to sign a deal with TV networks that is quadruple the size of their current arrangement with FOX Sports.
If realised, the new deal would mean that production responsibilities as well, would be handed over to the concerned network.
Meltzer believes that at least one network wants to change the sensational announcing style of Rogan and Goldberg and with the deal reportedly spanning $450 million, the UFC is not averse to the decision at all.
Joe Rogan juggles stand-up comedy, his popular podcast “The Joe Rogan Experience” and TV appearances along with his UFC obligations. Mike Goldberg has called ice hockey games and hosted a handful of shows in the past.
In 2005, he turned down an offer from the WWE to become head announcer of RAW. His most notable recent appearance outside the UFC was to do play-by-play for an NFL game in October 2014. The botch-riddled instance was mercilessly panned by fans on social media, to which Goldberg responded in kind.
Both, Rogan and Goldberg have been with the UFC since 1997.
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