Showtime Sports, responsible for major boxing and MMA events, will be shut down at the end of 2023 as Paramount focuses on scripted content to drive subscribers to the network and Paramount+.
Paramount has made the decision to shut down its sports division, Showtime Sports, at the end of 2023, according to an internal email sent to employees. The move comes as Paramount aims to redirect its resources towards producing more scripted content in order to drive subscribers to its network and streaming service, Paramount+. Showtime Sports, responsible for overseeing major boxing events featuring renowned fighters like Floyd Mayweather and Gervonta “Tank” Davis, as well as Bellator MMA, will no longer be a part of Paramount’s content offering.
Paramount Global confirmed the news in a statement, expressing that the decision is a result of an evolving strategy to allocate resources more efficiently and align content offerings across the business. The statement also mentioned that Showtime will continue to broadcast and support the remaining boxing slate for 2023, fulfilling its obligations until the end of the year. Paramount expressed gratitude to its employees who have contributed to the award-winning sports programming over the years.
The changes at Showtime also led to the departure of Showtime Sports president Stephen Espinoza, who had held the position since 2011. Espinoza played a pivotal role in the growth of boxing on Showtime, including the highly-anticipated Mayweather versus Conor McGregor showdown in 2017. Additionally, Espinoza oversaw Bellator MMA when it started airing events on Showtime. However, with the discontinuation of combat sports on Showtime, the relationship between Bellator and Paramount comes into question.
There have been ongoing rumors about the potential sale of Bellator, and Paramount’s decision to cease airing combat sports events may intensify these talks. While Bellator has only one remaining event on the schedule, the upcoming Bellator 301 card, discussions about its future are uncertain. As for boxing, Showtime has had a rich history, spanning 37 years, of broadcasting successful cards and pay-per-view events. The network had recently partnered with Premier Boxing Champions, showcasing notable fighters like Saul “Canelo” Alvarez, Terence Crawford, and David Benavidez. Currently, the only scheduled boxing event on Showtime is the Benavidez vs. Demetrius Andrade fight on November 25th.