Under the terms of the deal, IMG will access ProElite's live and archived MMA video content offerings, including live television rights to future events as well as over 800 hours of fight footage from ProElite-branded promotions such as EliteXC, King of the Cage, Icon Sport, Rumble World Entertainment, UK-based Cage Rage, South Korean-based SpiritMC and Grapplers Quest.
In addition to distributing video content internationally, IMG will assist ProElite in securing international sponsorship and serve as a production partner to develop certain MMA-related content.
"Mixed-martial arts is one of the fastest growing and most dynamic sports around and IMG Media is excited to work with a market leader like ProElite to bring the company's world-class programming and related content to an international audience," said Chris Albrecht, president, IMG Global Media.
Under specific terms of the deal, IMG will also be granted international DVD distribution rights and serve ProElite as a media consultant for branding as well as for packaging, positioning and marketing events and programming. ProElite believes the strategic partnership will allow the company to continue to grow the sport of MMA and gain acceptance globally.
"Through our recent acquisitions, ProElite now has a foothold in North America, Europe, and Asia," said ProElite CEO Douglas DeLuca. "Our new relationship with IMG will not only allow us to increase our market penetration in our existing territories but also allow us to expand our footprint into every continent by as soon as mid-2008. MMA is one of the few sports in existence that has a global appeal and ProElite is well on its way to building a global powerhouse through its live events and the ProElite.com social networking community."
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