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With Kimbo Slice, Down Goes EliteXC

I once made an analogy: EliteXC is to the UFC as Showtime is to HBO.  That analogy is no longer the case.  While many view Showtime as a slightly inferior competitor of HBO, EliteXC is no longer even a blip on the radar for UFC.  Back when IMG brokered the deal between EliteXC and CBS, which mandated that ProElite, Inc., the title company to EliteXC, produce four prime time live two-hour MMA events on CBS for multiple years, it looked like EliteXC might just be a viable alternative to UFC.  But Paul Schackman predicted on June 2, 2008 that promotion of Kimbo Slice being a MMA superstar is going to turn out being a disaster.  Paul is often dead-on on his predictions and he did not fail us on this one.  Multiple reports have confirmed that ProElite and its EliteXC program are done for good and that its remaining cards are canceled.  CBS is thrilled with its investment..

While CAA was busy getting involved in the successful UFC, CBS decided to invest in EliteXC, which turned out to be a failure.  It looks like another SportsAgentBlog.com contributor’s (Jared March) post was right on in his mock letter from WCW’s Eric Bishoff’s to EliteXC’s Gary Shaw.  I really loved fake Bishoff’s parting advice,

My only other real advice is to enjoy it while it lasts. I had this moment you’re at right now. I did this NWO thing and had a good run beating the ratings of WWF. Really, our products just aren’t as good but it sure makes for a fun ride while we are out ahead. If you need someone to book fights, I’m actually available to work now. That’s it for me, but keep up the great work. WCW and Elite XC, like brothers separated at birth.

By Darren Heitner

Darren Adam Heitner, Esq., is a preeminent sports attorney and the founder of Heitner Legal, P.L.L.C., a Fort Lauderdale-based law firm specializing in sports law, contract negotiations, intellectual property, and arbitration. He earned his Juris Doctor from the University of Florida Levin College of Law in 2010 and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, magna cum laude, from the University of Florida in 2007, where he was named Valedictorian of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. Admitted to practice in the state bars of Florida, New York, and the District of Columbia, as well as multiple federal courts, Darren also serves as a certified arbitrator with the American Arbitration Association.

As an adjunct professor, Darren imparts his expertise through teaching Sports Law at the University of Florida Levin College of Law and Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) at the University of Miami School of Law in the Entertainment, Arts, and Sports Law LL.M. program. His scholarly contributions include authoring several books published by the American Bar Association, such as How to Play the Game: What Every Sports Attorney Needs to Know, and numerous articles in prominent publications like Forbes, Inc. Magazine, and Above the Law. His thought leadership in NIL has earned him recognition as one of the foremost experts by The Wall Street Journal, USA TODAY, and On3, and he has been lauded as a “power player in NIL deals” by Action Network and a “top sports trademark attorney” by Sportico.

Darren’s passion for sports law led him to establish Sports Agent Blog on December 31, 2005, initially titled “I Want To Be A Sports Agent.” The platform, created as a New Year’s resolution, has grown into a cornerstone of the sports agency community, offering in-depth analysis of industry trends, legal disputes, and agent-player dynamics. His commitment to the field is further evidenced by his representation of numerous athletes and sports agents, as well as his prior role as an Adjunct Professor at Indiana University Bloomington, where he developed and taught a course on Sport Agency Management from 2011 to 2014.

Darren’s contributions have been recognized with prestigious honors, including the University of Florida’s 40 Under 40 Award, the University of Florida Levin College of Law’s Outstanding Young Alumnus Award, and designation as the best lawyer in Fort Lauderdale by Fort Lauderdale Magazine. He remains an active voice in the sports law community, sharing insights through his weekly NIL newsletter and his X posts, engaging a broad audience on legal developments in sports.

3 replies on “With Kimbo Slice, Down Goes EliteXC”

With the stronghold that UFC has on the market, it is very difficult to compete. The only way for another brand to establish itself and split the market would be with a roster of excellent fighters (but you can’t hide good talent and UFC would have no problem paying them much more). Now, if a big time investor such as Ted Turner or even Vince McMahon dabbled into MMA, that would be exciting.

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