Quote Originally Posted by Fenster View Post
Quote Originally Posted by Kirkland Laing View Post
It's all down to darts. Obviously football is Sky's bigest selling point but believe it or not two highly physically-conditioned athletes throwing tungsten darts at a board is Sky's second-biggest seller. Matchroom own darts so this gives Hearn massive leverage when it comes to negotiating contracts. No doubt Hearn told Sky to make him exclusive and within a year or two he'd have every major British boxer, and that's how it's worked out.

Warren is in big trouble. He only started Box Nation because he couldn't get a TV deal when Sky booted him and apparently it's losing massive money. Who's going to subscribe to watch Nathan Cleverley (until he fucks off), Sauerland cards and US shows that start at 2am? (Actually me for the US shows but after the Hopkins fight the next and only one scheduled is the Garcia fight at the end of next mionth.)

But it's going under, it's only a matter of time and then it looks like Warren is finished unless he manages a rabbit/hat scenario. But where is a TV deal coming from? If one is available Golden Boy will be after it too and they've got top fighters they can show. When he does retire Warren's book is going to be a big seller, I'll be buying a copy.
Plus all the other content Matchroom provides Sky - Snooker (top viewing figures), poker, pool, bowling, fishing
I don't know much about the other sports but I do know Sky bosses wet themselves over darts and how many new subscribers it's brought in.



Top darts athlete Andy Fordham


I don't see any way back to the big time for Warren. Anybody new prospect coming through is going to sign for Matchroom or somebody with a TV deal. Without top fighters Warren can't get on TV and if/when his own TV channel goes bust he's effectively finished as a big time promoter. At his age I can see him saying fuck it and cashing in with a warts and all biography. He's got an immense amount of dirt he can dish and we'll all buy it.