Obviously the people in charge see the revenue they create by getting on TV even if for just two bouts as being greater than the revenue lost by not being on TV. I do look forward to you using this opportunity for lots of points that have nothing to do with what I said, however.

(additionally: Wasn’t it already obvious that K-1 was going to be heavily influential when it came to the Yarennoka show given the amount of talent on loan?)

That being said, its ironic that many (including me) originally thought that the K1 participation with Yarennoka was out of good will for Japanese MMA pride (no pun intended). Now it seems like just a shrewd business decision.

However, if Yarennoka-quality events (I dont care what you say, Zach) continue , I’ll be happy. But what do you think the chances are of that happening?

finally i get a reason to watch that pile of crap that k1 is putting on TBS – im dying to see how tbs is going to bury fuji tv’s baby, pride

but how solid are k1’s foundations right now? maybe we’ll find out some time in 2008 – k1 is going for a big event in March to KO the emerging Yoshida love child, WVR, whose first event is rumoured in march as well

WVR will lose an absolute shit load of money (just like the “ex DSE” jokers)

no wonder Tanigawa was so keen to work with the ex DSE people

This has always been a long term strategy of Ishii and now they have pulled it off

We have a winner. Someone put together the pieces of the puzzle here. The wildest part of this story is that Ishii is in jail while all of this is happening.

Merry Christmas, Ninja. Haven’t talked to you in a while.

K1 now effectively “owns” the ex pride (at least in Japan) and certainly in a more meaningful sense than UFC (who actually paid to own the shell that was Pride)

With this move, K1 now controls TV access for MMA in Japan

This has always been a long term strategy of Ishii and now they have pulled it off

nobody could give a shit about the pennies that drop for sponsors who put their names on the canvas – its peanuts and wont even pay for the airfares of Fedor and his team

Ad time is sold heavily in advance.

I am not talking about ad time. I am talking about physical ad space. Something they likely have because their event had no visibility. Something that is now at least somewhat valuable because the visability has shot up exponentially by any set of parameters you wish to discuss.

a) Will sponsors be interested in spending money at all

On what is likely to be the second highest rated program…hmmm…I’m sure it’ll be blank. It may not be tons of money but it’ll be able to make up for some of the theorized loss in buys as a result of the move, in spite of the fact that no one is gonna buy the show as is, should your estimations prove accurate.

b) is it even logistically possible to get a heavy hitter sponsor to the table within a week to an agency like Dentsu?

I’m not talking about ad time. Never was.

It’s not as if K-1 has been setting the world on fire for sponsorships this year, either. It’s sponsorship troubles that has limited the amount of HERO’s shows they’ve ran this year (their 10/28 South Korea show aired at a shocking Midnight time slot on TBS).

I’m sure K-1 has sold their time well in advance given the magnitude of the event they’re holding. And that’s great. I don’t think M-1/DSE/whomever is getting a red cent of the money from TV ad rates, but they very well might not have to pay for satellite use for a couple hours and will get increased visibility in media and of course with the live bouts with which to sell the one physical, tangible asset no one can take away from them for advertising.

Aren’t we talking about the M-1 Global show? Why are you bringing up DSE and Fuji TV and PRIDE and a bunch of things that have no pertinance?

Yarennoka is being produced by a bunch of DSE (or ex-DSE if you are politically correct) staffers and management in conjunction with Hustle (which was created by DSE).

The M-1 Global tagline (“presented by M-1 global”) is because they were able to book Fedor.

Usually when it comes to big ad campaigns or ad sales for events like the K-1 Osaka Dome show, Dentsu or other ad agencies that TV networks work closely with spend a few months in advance placing bids and getting orders. The m.o. never has been fast sponsorship turnaround (as in getting sponsors a week or two before a show). Ad time is sold heavily in advance.

Now, in the case of the DSE show on 12/31, there are two questions to ask: a) Will sponsors be interested in spending money at all and b) is it even logistically possible to get a heavy hitter sponsor to the table within a week to an agency like Dentsu?

It’s not as if K-1 has been setting the world on fire for sponsorships this year, either. Sponsorship troubles has limited the amount of HERO’s shows they’ve ran this year (their 10/28 South Korea show aired at a shocking Midnight time slot on TBS).