CBS Sports is investing in women’s mixed martial arts, with plans to broadcast bouts from the all-female organization Invicta Fighting Champions throughout 2024.
The network deal is a milestone for the smaller promotion, which currently only has one champion on its roster. WebsiteHowever, Invicta FC was founded in 2012 and is known in the world of combat sports as one of the top women’s MMA brands.
The owner is Anthem Sports and Entertainmentis a media company that also owns Fight Network, GameTV, TNA Wrestling and AXS TV.
After parting ways with UFC Fight Pass in 2021, the promotion began airing events on the Anthem network before moving to a much larger platform under the CBS umbrella. Five events are scheduled to air on the network for the remainder of 2024, likely as a test period, but it’s unclear if the deal will extend through 2025.
“CBS Sports is the perfect partner for Invicta FC,” said President Shannon Knapp. press release“Joining forces with their global platform will enable us to bring our world-class events to an even larger audience. 2024 will be a landmark year for us, packed with unparalleled fights and title bouts exclusive to Invicta,” she continued.
“We are excited to demonstrate why Invicta FC is the leading brand in women’s mixed martial arts while presenting a world-class event and giving fans around the world a front-row seat to the action.”
“Major networks put women’s sports on primetime television to prove a point and boost ratings.”
Professional fighter and BTC Fight Promotions champion TJ Laramie told Blaze News the deal is likely a move to prove a point about women’s sports.
“I personally don’t know anyone who watches Invicta, which is a subsidiary of a much larger company that is probably losing money every year,” he explained, “and if a big company like Bellator is losing money, I can only imagine what it was like.”
“We’re seeing this more and more in PC culture,” Laramie continued, “with major networks airing women’s sports in primetime to prove a point and drive ratings.”
The first event to be broadcast under the new deal will be Invicta FC 55: Bernando vs. Rubin on June 28, 2024.
The card will feature former UFC fighters Talita Bernando and Kay Hansen.
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