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UFC CEO Dana White has now commented on the historic UFC-Bud Light deal.
On Tuesday, the UFC announced they were entering into a long-term partnership with Anheuser-Busch to make Bud Light the official beer of the UFC.
We’re proud to announce that starting in 2024, we’ll once again be the official beer sponsor of @UFC pic.twitter.com/n9jcDyLhVv
— Bud Light (@budlight) October 24, 2023
According to Yahoo Sports’ Kevin Iole, the deal is worth over $100 million dollars and will span over multiple years.
Via Yahoo Sports
The UFC announced Tuesday a new sponsorship deal with Anheuser-Busch that makes Bud Light the “official beer partner of the UFC,” replacing Modelo. A source familiar with the terms not authorized to speak publicly told Yahoo Sports that the deal, which takes effect on Jan. 1, is worth in excess of $100 million.
The UFC had a previous sponsorship deal with Anheuser-Busch that expired in 2019. It was replaced by Modelo.
In a statement released to the media, White spoke about the reasoning behind the deal.
“Anheuser-Busch and Bud Light were UFC’s original beer sponsors more than fifteen years ago,” “I’m proud to announce we are back in business together. There are many reasons why I chose to go with Anheuser-Busch and Bud Light, most importantly because I feel we are very aligned when it comes to our core values and what the UFC brand stands for. I’m looking forward to all of the incredible things we will do in the years ahead.”
During an appearance on Fox News, White doubled down on being “aligned” with Bud Light.
“They were the first beer company that we really did business with. They were our first real big sponsor when we were getting started, and now we’re back with them,” White said. “I know all the controversy and everything else, but for myself, going into a long-term deal with another sponsor, I want to be with somebody that I’m actually aligned with.”
“They employ 65,000 Americans. They have thousands of vets that work for them. They spend $700 million a year with U.S. farmers using their crops to make their products and many, many other great things that Anheuser-Busch has done in this country,”
Bud Light appears to shifting towards partnering with sports figures and leagues after facing backlash for sponsoring trans activist Dylan Mulvaney earlier this year. Just a few months ago, the company signed Travis Kelce and other NFL players to promote their brand.