A month ago boxing was rocked by the news that Ross Greenburg, President of HBO Sports, was stepping down from his position after 11 years. It was a quick, sudden move with major implications for the sport, and the kind that happens in boxing more than any other. It also highlights the continued battle between HBO and Showtime, and how some of the key fighters and promoters in the industry can shake things up in a moment’s notice.
The news alone wasn’t that much of a shock, given that HBO had often been criticized following a slew of mismanaged funds, lackluster fights and losing Manny Pacquiao to rival Showtime. HBO was on track to having its worst fiscal year ever. Things are already looking brighter for the network, with the mega Star Power PPV headlined by Floyd Mayweather vs. Victor Ortiz, and the return of Pacquiao to HBO for his third fight with Marquez this November.
Still, below you’ll find the top 5 reasons why HBO Sports finds themselves in this predicament and why Greenburg was forced to show himself the door:
5-) Bad Decisions – Before 2011 started, HBO was already underway with their “unofficial” Jr. Welterweight Tournament. In December 2010, Amir Khan had defeated Marcos Maidana in a thrilling encounter and the stage was set for Alexander vs. Bradley to kick off 2011, with the winner facing Khan in the summer. Considering the success of Showtime’s Super Six and Bantamweight Tournaments, this seemed like a great idea. The fact that the Alexander vs Bradley fight was a complete bore, with a disappointing gate and viewer ratings, was just the beginning of their problems.
HBO had guaranteed both fighters a million dollar pay day not only for their fight against one another, but for their next fight, and it didn’t matter who won, they would both get it. Bradley ended up winning and refused to fight Khan in the summer, and the loser of the fight, Alexander, would go on to collect on his second fight in an unimpressive victory. Khan would go on to defeat Bradley’s “replacement” Zab Judah in what was essentially a 6 round blow out.
4-) Losing Manny Pacquiao – Perhaps the beginning of the domino effect that was to come, HBO’s bad decisions for their 2011 schedule paved the way for Showtime to woo Pacquiao away from HBO. According to Arum ” HBO became the defenders of the status quo”, he was displeased with HBO’s promotion of Clottey and Margarito, and with the treatment of other top rank stars such as Miguel Cotto, Yuriorkis Gamboa and Kelly Pavlik. More than anything else, it was Arum getting into a pissing contest with the network, however, he made his point by moving the sport’s biggest star to another network. Showtime would capitalize, and its Pacquiao/Mosley promotion and PPV would go on and be 2011’s biggest sell to date.
3-) Showtime/ CBS – The involvement of CBS in the Pacquiao/ Mosley promotion changed everything. With CBS airing Fight Camp 360 on prime time and promo spots during the NCAA Final Four, never again would a one dimensional promotion be enough. With CBS backing them, Showtime turned into an actual threat, forcing HBO to step up, and use its Time Warner outlets if they wanted to be able to compete.
2-) Winning Manny Pacquiao back – Getting Pacquiao back on HBO Sports was definitely a must for the network, if only because it stops Showtime’s momentum. The problem is that you have to wonder what kind of behind the scenes promises and negotiations were made, and whether or not HBO will be paying too hefty a price in terms of not only expenses, but promised future dates for other Arum and Top Rank backed fighters.
1-) The rise of Showtime – An HBO decline couldn’t have come at a better time for rival network Showtime. With fights like Rios/Acosta; Rios/Antillon; Cotto/Mayorga; Lopez/Salido; Froch/Johnson, Agbeko/Mares and fights to come Froch/Ward, Showtime’s 2011 schedule really stepped up. Not to mention their promotion of Pacquiao/ Mosley was very impressive, especially with the “after the fight” Fight Camp 360.
While HBO may be down, they aren’t out. They are ending the year with strong momentum heading into 2012, while Showtime has had a very solid 2011 and may have closed the gap on their bigger budgeted rival.
