Professional Fighters League could be headed for a major broadcast change as its current media rights agreement with ESPN nears its expiration date.
Despite delivering some of its strongest events in recent memory, the promotion has struggled to attract viewers. Many fans have voiced frustration over finding live events, with broadcasts often buried behind streaming platforms and receiving limited visibility across ESPN’s programming.
PFL has been partnered with ESPN since 2019, but that relationship may be approaching its final chapter. The exclusive negotiating period between the two sides has ended without a new agreement, allowing the promotion to pursue discussions with other networks and streaming services.
PFL CEO John Martin Frustrated by Lack of Promotion
In an interview with MMA Mania, PFL CEO John Martin said that the organization is currently in talks with several potential partners, including Netflix and Fox. While Martin stopped short of completely ruling out ESPN, he acknowledged that a renewal appears increasingly unlikely.
“They’re not doing anything to help promote and make it easy for our viewers and fans to find us.”
Martin made it clear that he expected a stronger commitment from ESPN as the promotion continued to grow its roster and event schedule.
“I was hoping the PFL was going to become more important to ESPN, and we haven’t seen that in terms of better scheduling, better network access, and then of course the marketing and promotion … so that speaks volumes to what their commitment might be to mixed martial arts.”
The timing is notable as PFL believes its in-cage product is stronger than ever. With a roster packed with recognizable names and a series of action-packed events throughout 2026, the company now faces the challenge of finding a media partner capable of putting those fights in front of a larger audience.