Donald Trump publicly threatened to send Mark Zuckerberg, CEO of the world’s largest social network, to prison last summer.

He did it twice.

“All I can say is that if I’m elected President, we will pursue Election Fraudsters at levels never seen before, and they will be sent to prison for long periods of time,” then-candidate Trump wrote on Truth Social, adding, “We already know who you are. DON’T DO IT! ZUCKERBUCKS, be careful!”

A month later, Trump’s just-published book included this warning:

“(Zuckerberg) would bring his very nice wife to dinners, be as nice as anyone could be, while always plotting to install shameful Lock Boxes in a true PLOT AGAINST THE PRESIDENT. … We are watching him closely, and if he does anything illegal this time he will spend the rest of his life in prison — as will others who cheat in the 2024 Presidential Election.”

07/11/2025 – 08:00 AM

Highlights

• Landmark multi-year agreement strengthens UFC GYM and MMA.INC alliance, supporting the global rollout of 45 new gyms in 2025 and accelerating the expansion of UFC GYM’s high-growth BJJ program—powered by MMA.INC’s category-leading software.
• BJJLink.com is the definitive all-in-one operating system for martial arts-first businesses—optimizing member management, driving revenue growth, and unlocking scalable monetization for franchisees.
• Builds on MMA.INC and UFC GYM’s broader strategic partnership to integrate the Warrior Training Program across a network of 150+ locations worldwide.

New York, NY, July 11, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Mixed Martial Arts Group Limited (NYSE American: MMA) (“MMA” or the “Company”), an NYSE American listed innovator at the intersection of combat sports and digital transformation, has announced an expansion of its strategic technology partnership with UFC Gym Group who are selecting BJJLink.com as the official gym management software platform for all new UFC GYM BJJ franchise studios.

This extension of the existing Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) agreement follows UFC GYM’s landmark global expansion announcement in February and solidifies a deeper alignment between UFC GYM’s fast-growing Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) program and MMA.INC’s category-leading gym software. This announcement capitalizes on the growth in BJJ, reinforced by UFC’s recent launch of their new premier BJJ live event series, UFC BJJ 1.

BJJLink.com, powered by MMA.INC’s Martial Arts Technology, will serve as the digital backbone of UFC GYM’S new BJJ franchise studios. Designed specifically for martial arts-first businesses, the platform equips franchisees with a modern, all-in-one operating system that streamlines member management, drives revenue, and unlocks new monetization opportunities. Key features include:

• Mobile check-in and self-service kiosk systems to reduce front-desk friction and enhance member experience
• Curriculum and belt progression management with digital tracking tools aligned to structured programs
• Smart class and staff scheduling with real-time attendance and performance visibility
• Payment infrastructure, including recurring billing, retail sales and a customizable in-app transaction layer that supports Stripe and a growing list of other global processors
• Referral tracking and affiliate logic to power grassroots growth and incentive campaigns
• Built-in CRM and e-commerce automation, enabling franchisees to engage leads, sell merchandise, and convert visitors, all from one centralized platform

Under the terms of the expanded agreement, UFC GYM franchisees will gain access to BJJLink Admin+, a powerful all-in-one platform designed to simplify operations and drive growth. UFC GYM BJJ Studio Franchisees will benefit from streamlined class scheduling, automated billing, digital curriculum tools, and built-in referral tracking, removing administrative overhead and enabling staff to focus on member experience. Standardized pricing across locations and centralized reporting through a master admin dashboard provide both flexibility and oversight, helping franchisees scale confidently while staying aligned with brand standards.

“The BJJLink platform offers an intuitive and powerful back-end that empowers our coaches and BJJ studio franchisees to focus on what matters most, training and community,” said Adam Sedlack, CEO of UFC GYM. “This agreement gives us the technical scalability and operational consistency needed to support our ambitious rollout of new BJJ studios globally.”

The new UFC GYM BJJ studios, purpose-built spaces dedicated to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, are part of UFC GYM’s mission to redefine fitness and martial arts for modern athletes. The brand plans to open more than 45 new gyms in 2025, with many of the BJJ-first models ranging from 2,000 to 5,000 square feet and featuring advanced mat spaces, recovery zones, and family-friendly programming.

“This extension validates our shared belief that the future of martial arts training is both physical and digital,” said Nick Langton, CEO of MMA.INC. “We’re proud to be the technology engine behind UFC GYM’s BJJ studio model and to deepen our long-standing relationship with the preeminent name in martial arts training.”

BJJLink is already used by hundreds of martial arts academies around the world and has seen increased demand from franchise operators seeking more streamlined onboarding, revenue analytics, and student engagement tools.

MMA.INC and UFC GYM intend to co-launch the new BJJLink-powered UFC BJJ studio software at select international locations during H2 of 2025.

MMA.INC’s recently announced an international push, expanding BJJLink into Latin America and launching a marquee partnership with Gracie Allegiant HQ and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu legend Clark Gracie.

About Mixed Martial Arts Group Limited

MMA.INC (Mixed Martial Arts Group Limited) is revolutionizing the combat sports industry by driving participation and engagement across fans, athletes, coaches, and gym owners. The company operates four core business units:

With over 5 million social media followers, 530,000 user profiles, 50,000 active students, 18,000 published gyms and 800 verified gyms across 16 countries, MMA.inc continues to transform the martial arts landscape and deliver unparalleled value to its stakeholders.

For more information, visit www.mma.inc or follow us on social media:

ABOUT UFC GYM^®

UFC GYM^® is the first major brand extension of UFC^®, the world’s premier MMA organization, created in alliance with New Evolution Ventures^™ (NeV), developers of many of the world’s most successful fitness brands. As the first to unite the benefits of MMA with fitness, the brand is not what you expect, and more than you can imagine. UFC GYM’s TRAIN DIFFERENT^® approach provides members with the ultimate fitness experience and programming that secures results for all ages and training levels. With over 150 locations opened and 700 additional locations currently in development globally, UFC GYM has revolutionized the fitness industry and positively impacted countless lives worldwide. UFC GYM offers the opportunity to own and operate a franchise domestically and internationally. For more information, please visit www.ufcgym.com.

Follow UFC GYM through the below platforms:

• FACEBOOK – Facebook.com/UFCGYM
• YOUTUBE – Youtube.com/UFCGYM
• INSTAGRAM, TIKTOK & X – @UFCGYM

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release may include forward-looking statements. Any statements contained herein regarding our strategy, future operations, financial position, future revenues, projected costs, prospects, plans and objectives of management, other than statements of historical facts, are forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements included herein include or may include, but are not limited to, statements that are predictive in nature, depend upon or refer to future events or conditions, or use or contain words, terms, phrases, or expressions such as “achieve,” “forecast,” “plan,” “propose,” “strategy,” “envision,” “hope,” “will,” “continue,” “potential,” “expect,” “believe,” “anticipate,” “project,” “estimate,” “predict,” “intend,” “should,” “could,” “may,” “might,” or similar words, terms, phrases, or expressions or the negative of any of these terms. Any statements contained in this press release that are not based upon historical fact are based on current expectations, estimates, projections, opinions and/or beliefs of the Company. Such statements are not facts and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors. Prospective investors should not rely on these statements as if they were facts. Actual revenue may vary to current sales due to factors such as participant churn, cancellations, and changes in payment schedules, membership terms or pricing changes. Any references to verified gyms, partner gyms, user profiles refer to a profile that has been claimed or created across the MMA.inc platform, which includes TrainAlta.com, BJJ Link, Hype, MixedMartialArts.com and Steppen. Forward-looking statements involve a number of known and unknown risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, those discussed in the “Risk Factors” section of the Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2024 filed with the SEC. Given the risks and uncertainties, readers should not place undue reliance on any forward-looking statement and should recognize that the statements are predictions of future results which may not occur as anticipated. New risk factors emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for management to predict all such risk factors, nor can it assess the impact of all such factors on the Company’s business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements. You should carefully read the factors described in the “Risk Factors” section of the Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2024 filed with the SEC to better understand the risks and uncertainties inherent in our business and industry, and any underlying forward-looking statements. Except where required by law, the Company assumes no obligation to update, withdraw or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect actual results or changes in factors or assumptions affecting such forward-looking statements.

Media Contacts

Mixed Martial Arts Group Limited
E: peter@mma.inc

RICHMOND, VA (VR) — Governor Glenn Youngkin announced that ORBCOMM Inc., a global leader in industrial IoT solutions, will establish its global headquarters in Sterling, Virginia, investing up to $3 million into skilled job creation and expanding into 22,000 square feet of office space. The project, pending Loudoun County Board of Supervisors approval on July 15, is estimated to create as many as 51 jobs or more.

“Virginia is proud to welcome ORBCOMM’s global headquarters to Virginia,” said Governor Glenn Youngkin. “This decision highlights our commitment to innovation, workforce development, and creating an environment where advanced industries can thrive. We look forward to the economic opportunities and technological leadership ORBCOMM will bring to the Commonwealth.”

“Northern Virginia continues to be a magnet for cutting-edge technology and innovation,” said Secretary of Commerce and Trade Juan Pablo Segura. “Their decision to expand operations and invest in a larger office space reflects the strength of our highly skilled workforce and the strategic advantages Virginia offers.”

“Establishing our global headquarters in Virginia marks another milestone in solidifying ORBCOMM as the global leader in industrial IoT solutions,” said ORBCOMM CEO Sameer Agrawal. “With proximity to the Port of Virginia, major supply chain centers, and its vibrant ecosystem of technology companies, Loudoun County is an obvious home for ORBCOMM. We’re proud to deepen our presence in a region that offers the talent, infrastructure and support to help us drive next-generation IoT solutions.”

ORBCOMM is a global leader in industrial IoT, delivering visibility, intelligence and efficiency to the world’s most critical operations. With 30 years of innovation and more than 2.4 million connected devices, ORBCOMM transforms data into actionable insights, driving greater efficiency, safety, resilience and sustainability. The company’s customers include the world’s largest shipping lines, over-the-road trucking fleets, cold-chain transportation fleets, and a global network of IoT solution provider partners.

“I am excited to welcome ORBCOMM’s continued investment and expansion here in Sterling,” said Senator Kannan Srinivasan. “This project will create new job opportunities for our skilled workforce, and it reinforces Loudoun County’s reputation as a hub for innovation and advanced technology. I’m grateful for VEDP’s partnership through the Virginia Jobs Investment Program and know that business will continue to recognize the strength and opportunity that Loudoun County has to offer.”

“We are pleased that Orbcomm has chosen to grow right here in Loudoun County,” said Loudoun County Board of Supervisors Chair Phyllis J. Randall. “Their expansion is a testament to the strong business climate, talented workforce, and unmatched quality of life that makes Loudoun an ideal location for businesses to thrive. We welcome this investment and the jobs it brings to our community.”

“Orbcomm’s continued investment in Sterling reinforces Loudoun County’s reputation as a hub for innovation and connectivity,” said Loudoun Economic Development Executive Director Buddy Rizer. “Loudoun is proud to be a place where companies like Orbcomm can expand with confidence. This is a significant win for Loudoun, bringing jobs, investment, and momentum to one of the nation’s leading tech corridors.”

VEDP will support ORBCOMM’s job creation through the Virginia Jobs Investment Program, which provides consultative services and funding to companies creating new jobs in order to support employee recruitment and training activities. As a business incentive supporting economic development, VJIP reduces the human resource costs of new and expanding companies. VJIP is state funded, demonstrating Virginia’s commitment to enhancing job opportunities for citizens.

Prime Day 2025 ends tonight, and Lifehacker is sharing the best sales based on product reviews, comparisons, and price-tracking tools before it’s over. 

Prime Day ends at midnight tonight, and with it, some of the best deals I’ve seen all year on recovery gear. Whether you’re a serious athlete or dealing with computer-job-neck-pain, these last-chance discounts on massage guns, foam rollers, and recovery essentials could change the game for you—but only if you act fast.

The best deals on massage guns

As a marathon runner, it’s no hyperbole to say that massage guns utterly transformed my post-workout routine, and TheraBody is a brand name I swear by. Right now, the TheraBody TheraGun Prime Plus is available for $369.99 on Amazon (regularly $429.99).

If that’s outside your budget, several other recovery devices are also discounted during Prime Day:

• Toloco massage gun, down from $59.99 to $39.98 (33% off). Features 10 different massage heads.

• Bob and Brad Q2 Pro Mini, down from $89.99 to $72.19 (20% off). Punches above its weight class, which you can read about in my full review.

• TheraGun Sense, down from $299.99 to $199.99 (33% off). Comes with built-in visually guided routines.

• Hyperice Hypervolt 2 Pro, down from $349 to $289 (17% off). Offers three-speed settings and a powerful motor, though it lacks the heat function of the TheraGun Prime Plus.

The best deals on foam rollers

Don’t overlook the humble foam roller in your last-minute Prime Day shopping spree. These simple tools are recovery essentials that every athlete should own.

The TriggerPoint GRID Foam Roller is down from $39.99 to $28.49 (nearly 30% off). I borrow this foam roller from my friend all the time, for good reason—its unique grid pattern provides targeted pressure that I need. As I write this, I’m realizing it’s time for me to take advantage of this sale right this second…

Done. Now, for those who want something more high-tech, the Lifepro Vibrating Massage Ball/Roller is available for $75.99, down from $99.99 (24% off). It has the percussive therapy of a massage gun, but with the density and grid pattern of a foam roller that works wonders on tight IT bands and calves.

Budget-conscious shoppers should grab an Amazon Basics foam roller for just $9.34, down from $12.09 (23% off). While it doesn’t have all the bells and whistles of premium models, it’ll get the job done for basic muscle release.

Treat yourself to the Renpho heated foot massager, available for $84.93—a 43% discount from its regular price of $149.97. Here’s how I see it: At $84.93, you’re paying less than the cost of two professional foot massages for a device you can use unlimited times. Come on, who else is rubbing your feet?

The Vibit Vibrating Massager is down to $95.20 from $119.99 (20% off). Designed to be stepped on in a way massage guns and firm rollers aren’t, this vibrating massage roller delivers targeted relief for plantar fasciitis, tight muscles, sciatica, heel pain, IT bands and more.

I swear by compression socks to improve blood flow and reduce swelling. There are plenty of options on sale today, like this 6-pack for $16.97, down from $19.99 (15% off). Proper compression gear aids recovery by improving blood flow and reducing swelling.

For more, check out all the best deals on fitness equipment that end in just a few hours.

Looking for something else? Retailers like Walmart, Best Buy, and Home Depot have Prime Day competition sales that are especially useful if you don’t have Amazon Prime.

• Walmart’s Prime Day competition sale runs through Sunday, July 13 and includes deals up to 50% off. It’s an especially good option if you have Walmart+. 

• Best Buy’s Prime Day competition sale, “Black Friday in July,” runs through Sunday, July 13 and has some of the best tech sales online. It’s an especially good option if you’re a My Best Buy “Plus” or “Total” member.

0:06 spk_0

Welcome to Yahoo Finance Sports Report, a unique look at the business of sports brought to you by Yahoo Finance and Yahoo Sports. I’m your host, Joe Popriano, and I’m here to coach you through the financial game. Today, we’ve got Yahoo Sports senior writer Jake Mintz coming on the show to discuss all things baseball, and British boxing promoter Eddie Hearn joining us to discuss Mattroom’s growing business around the world. Let’s huddle up and get right into it.We are kicking off this week with POM’s Playbook, where I take a look at some of the biggest headlines in sports that you and your portfolio need to know. First up, the recently passed One Big Beautiful Bill Act includes a tax provision that could quietly destroy professional gambling in the United States. Right now, gamblers can offset 100% of their losses against winnings. However, starting in 2026, that deduction will be capped at 90%.That means if you win $100,000 in a year and also lose $100,000 in the same year, you’ll be taxed as if you made $10,000 in profit, despite the fact that you really didn’t make any money.This seemingly small change could collapse the foundation of legal sports betting. Professional gamblers who help set efficient lines and fund prize pools will flee to offshore markets. Without their volume, sports books will reduce contests, wide odds, and raise fees on casual players. Daily fantasy sports prize pools will shrink, betting markets will get less.And legal gambling will start to spiral. Ironically, some sports books may welcome this. Professional gamblers eat into their profits, and this bill could push them out of the system entirely. But state governments stand to lose the most. They build big budgets around gambling revenue. If activity goes offshore, tax revenue dries up, not just federally but locally too.This isn’t the first time excessive gambling taxes backfired. It happened in the US in 1951 in the UK before the 2000s. So, unless Congress steps in to fix it, we could see history repeat itself.Next up, Texas Tech just pulled off one of the biggest recruiting wins in college football history, and it comes with a massive payday. On the 4th of July, 5-star offensive tackle Felix Ojo, the #6 overall player in the 2026 class and the top recruit in Texas, committed to Texas Tech over Blue Bloods like Texas, Oklahoma, and Ohio State.But this wasn’t just a football decision, it was a business one too. According to reports, Ojo signed a fully guaranteed revenue sharing deal with Texas Tech worth $5.1 million over three years. About half of that is guaranteed, with the rest tied to incentives and renegotiation clauses. He’s set to earn $1.2 million in year 1 $1.6 million in year two, and $2.1 million in year three. Numbers previously unheard of for an offensive lineman at the.level. This all became possible thanks to the House for NCAA settlement, which took effect on July 1st and officially allows schools to share revenue directly with athletes. Texas Tech has already been making waves in the transfer portal, but this solidifies their emergence as a serious national player. Ojo becomes the highest rated commitment in school history and headlines would shaping up to be a top 25 class. It’s a new era in college football, and Texas Tech is wasting no time jumping in headfirst.And last on PO’s playbook today is news that ESPN just landed a major win with NFL analyst Dan Orlowski set to stay with the network for several more years. After weeks of speculation, Front Office Sports is reporting that Orlowski and ESPN have agreed to a long-term contract extension. The former NFL quarterback is set to continue on his roles on NFL Live, SportsCenter, First Take, GetUp, and as lead analyst for the ESPN’s #2 Monday Night Football broadcast team along Chris Fowler and Lewis Reddick.This deal brings stability with the NFL preseason just around the corner and shuts down any potential move to CBS, where Dan Lawsky was reportedly on tap as a top candidate for the college football coverage. His popularity has even sparked coaching rumors with reports that he’s spoken to NFL teams and expressed interest in a future on the sidelines. But for now, ESPN gets to keep one of its rising stars just in time for what’s shaping up to be a big 2025 season.All right, everyone, let’s talk baseball. July is a big month for Major League Baseball. We’re halfway through the season. The All-Star game is a week away, and the trade deadline is set for July 31st. So today we’re bringing on Yahoo sports writer Jake Mintz to cover all the bases. Pun absolutely intended. Jake, welcome to the show. Thank you so much for joining us today. Let’s start with just what your top storylines for MLB so far this year are.

4:20 spk_1

Hm, good question. Uh, I think it is the Los Angeles Dodgers versus the world, just the staggering amount of money that that organization has decided to spend on players, uh, is really overwhelming.They have kind of, you know, been sleepwalking through what has been a dominant first half. They are up by a comfortable margin in the National League West, uh, and the storyline moving forward is can anybody challenge them come playoff time, and then in Newand the Big Apple, you have the Yankees and the Mets, two other big market teams, kind of scuffling a little bit through June, starting to maybe find their footing as they move towards the trade deadline, which will be a good opportunity for them to reinforce their rosters.

5:07 spk_0

Yeah, as a Yankees fan, the last couple of weeks have been tough, especially with pitching injuries and everything else, but hopefully they clean that up. I mean, the Dodgers have had some injuries too, so, uh, the fact that they’re, they’re doing so well is is uh quite impressive. But let’s talk about, uh, the CBA. One of the things that I think is fascinating is that the, um, the CBA is going to be renegotiated, I think in uh at the start of 2026, it’s up and need to sign a new deal.One of the things that keeps popping up is that uh the idea of a salary cap. Now, this has been talked about for a long time, owners obviously would like it, uh, players do not want it. What do you see happening here? Will there be a lockout? Do you think it’ll actually get approved, or do they just kind of go business as usual and keep things status quo?

5:47 spk_1

So, everything that I’ve heard rumblings about the next round of CBA negotiations is that it’s going to be pretty adversarial, and there is an expectation that some games may be missed, um, hopefully a full lockout is avoided. I do think you’re right that the salary cap is going to be a major issue.Next time that the CBA gets negotiated, the union will not agree to a salary cap without a salary floor would be my assumption. I think that the spending that the Dodgers have undergone over the last few years has made a salary cap a more interesting proposition for fans.And so you’re seeing more of a push for that from the public side. How that actually impacts negotiations remains to be seen.

6:37 spk_0

Are there anything else, uh, within the CBA that you’re hearing would be of interest to either the owners of the players that might be sort of like a um uh a point of emphasis that could cause a lockout or something like that?

6:49 spk_1

Um, I think the, the last CBA negotiation, the big conversation was about competitive balance and incentivizing small market teams to spend, right? What the union wants is for the owners of these teams to see their uh ownership.stewardship, as an investment in a local institution, and not necessarily as some something that makes money for the sake of making money, that there are other, you know, areas and avenues for these business people to go ahead and do that. And I think Steve Cohen, the owner of the Mets, hasMaybe, uh, not created some discord within the group of owners, but showed that there’s kind of a different way. Like he is spending money on the Mets because he grew up a Mets fan and he wants them to win the World Series, and I think that is what fans want to see owners acting like instead of a larger kind of, you know, investment group coming in and using the organization as more of a, you know, an an investment opportunity.

7:45 spk_0

And lastly, I’d love to just get your opinion quickly on uh just the state of Major League Baseball. I mean, the year started with ESPN backing out of its deal with MLB. I think maybe they might even regret that to a degree. The numbers are obviously really good this year and the sports appears to be doing rather healthy. There’s a lot of young stars, etc. Like, what is your general impression of where baseball is today versus where it was maybe 5 years ago?

8:07 spk_1

The rule changes that Commissioner Rob Manfred implemented a couple years ago have been very successful, most notably the pitch clock. The games move faster, they end earlier, and for a younger generation that is more distracted than ever, that is a big deal. Numbers are up in terms of viewership, numbers are up in terms of attendance, but when itcomes to the national stage, it is still a very localized sport, more than any other sport in our country, and that is part of the hold up with the negotiations with ESPN, right? ESPN would like more of a local focus in that package, because that’s where the viewership numbers are. I believe 25%.Around uh of the total revenue comes from these local TV packages across the entire league. Um, and so ESPN is a little bit less interested in the national stuff during the regular season, because it doesn’t really move the needle. Local is king when it comes to baseball. But as far as the sport is concerned as a whole, I do think it’s in a really healthy spot compared to where it was 5 years ago.

9:09 spk_0

Yep, I’ve really been enjoying this season so far. Jake, thank you so much for joining us.

9:13 spk_1

It’s a pleasure. Thank you for having me. All

9:15 spk_0

right, we’ve got to take a quick break, but coming up we’ve got an inside look at the man turning boxing matches into blockbuster events, not just in the US or UK but all over the world.Welcome back to Yahoo Finance Sports Report. I’m your host, Joe Pompeiano, and for today’s one on one, I’m joined by one of the most powerful men in boxing. He’s promoted more than 1000 fights, filled stadiums around the world, and never turns down a microphone. This week we’re talking to Mattroom Sport chairman Eddie Hearn. Eddie, thank you so much for joining the show today. For people that are listening to this show that maybe aren’t as familiar with boxing as a sport or you in general, uh, can you just explain a little bit about what Mattroom does specifically?

10:05 spk_2

Yeah well, Metrom is a, a big sports global promotional company. So we are delivering sports events globally around the world across a multitude of sports. Boxing probably the most famous of those, and certainly with the highest profile as well. Um, trying to explain boxing is very difficult. Uh, trying to explain a sport with no barriers to entry, um, you know, all these different governing bodies, all these different promoters, all these different networks, all these different.Uh, platforms is very difficult, but essentially boxing is, you know, the, the prize fighting sport that spans back decades with, you know, steeps of history and a huge amount of hype and noise every time there’s a major event and.Through the peaks and troughs of the sport of boxing, one thing remains, the, the desire of platforms and broadcasters and, and money men and fans to become involved in the major events, and right now, boxing’s seeing a major boom in the market.

11:06 spk_0

Yeah, one of the things that we’ve noticed over the years specifically is, uh, the type of boxing has changed, right? I think in America specifically, we’ve become accustomed to some of these more celebrity driven fights where uh the boxers themselves have become celebrities, but we’ve seen crossovers from UFC uh with Conor McGregor. We’ve seen some of the YouTube personalities start to box as well. What makes like a good fight in your opinion, to where you’re gonna be able to draw a good viewership number?

11:30 spk_2

I think really it’s about narrative, you know, it’s about the promotion, and one of the reasons that these crossover fights work is because of the.Uh, profile and the self-promotional ability of those individuals. I mean, Conor McGregor’s a great example. Jake Paul is obviously another example as well. So it’s really about the, you know, the, the drawing power of the individual, the followers that they have, and the narrative that they can sell. For us, we’re a pure boxing promotional company. I, I probably started the YouTube mess by doing KSI against Logan Paul 2 in in Staples Center. We made a lot of money, but I really didn’t enjoy it because it was just not.You know, I’m a, I’m a hardcore boxing fan, you know, so we’re trying to bring the great fights back. And I think what Is the big event, of course, is a great product, which is a great fight, but also great storytelling, great narrative, and, and, you know, that’s when you know you’ve got a great fight and you can build a huge audience. So, yeah, right now the boxing world, you know, like I said, sometimes it’s a little bit like the wild west in terms of the, the product itself.Um, but certainly the key for me in driving a big event is pre-event hype, build up, and a great narrative, great storytelling, and really that’s my job as a promoter, to tell the fan base the story of this fight.

12:44 spk_0

And I’m sure you’ve been asked about this a million times, but you mentioned earlier how kind of, uh, segregated boxing is, right? There’s no barrier to entry. There’s all these different organizational bodies, and it’s really difficult to comprehend for new fans. One of the things that I think American sports fans have probably heard of over the last few months is, uh, the new entity that is now popping up to sort of be like a traditional sports league for boxing between TKO Group, Saudi, Turkey, etc. What is your overall just opinion on what that looks like and its chances of success?

13:12 spk_2

I think it’s great for boxing, you know, I mean, firstly, you have to ask yourself why is Dana White trying to enter the space? The answer is right now, I think boxing he is much hotter than MMA, you know, for, for a long period of time, it hasn’t had the big events, it hasn’t had the profile, it hasn’t had the hype, and now you’re seeing that with promoters stepping up with Turkey la Sheikh and Saudi Arabia investing a huge amount of money in the sport. For Dana and those guys, I think they’re gonna find it very difficult in boxing because they’re a business that’s built out of control.And for me, boxing is actually out of control, which in a sense makes it quite fun. But, you know, I think their plan is to go in and try and build young talent and and those middle line prospects and kind of create that ownership where you fight whoever you’re told to fight. And in boxing, probably to the detriment of the sport, sometimes you’re individually negotiating every single fight of a multi-fight contract.And that’s something you’re not doing in UFC. You sign a, you know, you sign a contract, you’re told when you’re fighting, your purse is already set. The UFC had complete control over the fighter, the talent, and that’s what they’ll be trying to do in boxing, and I don’t think that’s necessarily going to wash. It’s definitely not gonna wash with the big guys, because I think, you know, every fighter has a manager, a lawyer, an advisor.And they want to navigate the career correctly, ultimately their job is to take the easiest fights for the most amount of money.And the promoter’s job is to pay the fighter the right money for the biggest fights possible.

14:43 spk_0

I think that’s a very fair way to look at it. Those people are obviously very uh smart and have done a great job with the UFC, but you can’t just simply take that model and move it over to boxing, right? Even if you look at the UFC, the most popular fighters that would be able to demand the most money, they’ve had a lot of issues with those fighters, right? Because you get to a point where those fighters don’t want to be told who to fight, when to fight for this amount of money. They want to be able to negotiate their own.Deals and they know their values. So, uh, I’m totally aligned on that. But one of the things that I think Matchroom specifically has uh done that’s interesting is, uh, from a streaming perspective. I know that you guys have this broader partnership with the global streamer Dione, and you were one of the first global promoters to really dive into that from a linear TV to a streaming perspective. Why did you decide to do that initially and how do you think it has gone so far? And what do you think the future looks like for that versus uh linear television goingforward?

15:30 spk_2

I just think we noticed that the, you know, the habits of the viewer were changing, you know, from that of traditional linear TV to streaming. I mean, you know, obviously the, the growth of Netflix and and other apps like that is, is easy to, to identify. But from a sports perspective, I, I just think that people now, they want variation and they want the ability, because I think their attention span is drifting and they’re multitasking during during viewership.And I think really we wanted the ability to stream direct to mobile phones, to tablets, and we saw that growth many years ago, and our deal with the zone started 6 years ago, and it’s incredible the rise. I mean, people don’t necessarily understand in America, perhaps the size of the zone.Globally, in terms of the multitude of sports rights that it acquires. In America, really, you know, I know they’ve got the FIFA Club World Cup, of course, and, and other products as well. But it’s, it’s notoriously known as a boxing service, and it is now the global home of boxing. But, you know, Joe, when I launched with the Zone 6 years ago, I was going to these fighters pitching them and trying to have a conversation to explain that it’s time to leave HBO or Showtime because they’ll be leaving the space and you need to go with a streaming partner.You know, I laugh now at the conversation, so, so you’re telling me it’s an app. I’m like, yeah, it’s an app. But I, you know, this is the future of broadcast and it’s the future of boxing, and they’ve got there now, they’re in a tremendous place. I mean, I think it’s over 80 odd shows a year on the zone. Every major fight is on the platform. And we got ridiculed for a long time from our rival promoters.You know, calling the, the app or what’s the fight, who wants to fight on an app, you know, it’s dead zone, it’s not the zone, trying to make sure the fighters didn’t.Migrate there. Now those same promoters are phoning up the platform trying to get a rights deal with the platform and trying to place their product there. So it’s been a huge success and luckily we got that one right, you know, with with with streaming. And it was a long while back, it was a big move, cos we went from our traditional broadcasters like Sky Sports and HBO who I had a deal with at the time in America, and made the move globally to Dizone. And what was important with that was as well.Every market we had an individual rights deal with, and it’s a very mixed message. So when I’m out across social media trying to explain to the global fight fan where you can find the product, you know, it’s on Sky Sports in the UK it’s on HBO in America, it’s on Fox in Australia, it’s, it’s on via sat in Scandinavia. Now there’s one place where you can find Mattro’s product, globally, anywhere in the world, and that’s on the zone, and it’s been a, been a big success for our business.

18:09 spk_0

Yeah, very interesting and certainly the right decision. Last question for you, Eddie, is around uh just global expansion. I know Matchroom is expanding globally, US, UK, etc. but Saudi Arabia and the Middle East specifically has become a major player in boxing over the last number of years. Is this something that you think is sustainable or is it more of a short term kind of a gold rush?

18:29 spk_2

Yeah, for us individually, I mean, we’re the only global promotional company in the world, and what I mean by that is we’re the only promotional company that is the lead promoter in all these different territories. So we have major rights deals of course in the UK, in the US, in Mexico, 6 shows a year, 6 shows a year in Australia, Italy, Spain, um, and of course Saudi Arabia, Uzbekistan throughout Eastern Europe. I mean we’re everywhere.And that’s been great for us. The growth in Saudi Arabia has been very interesting. I mean, they’re probably, they’re coming up to 2 years deep now in boxing. A lot of people felt that they would have left by now, but Turkey al Sheikh has a very good vision and is also very intelligent as well. And they are spending a huge amount of money, and I mean, I think it’s really benefiting the sport cos we’re seeing the big fights being made, but they certainly.Showing no signs of slowing down. Also, their partnership with us, their partnership with the zone. You know what I mean, this weekend you’ve got a Ring magazine card coming up uh in New York, fantastic card next weekend. We’re in Texas with Jesse Vargas, so, uh, Jesse Rodriguez. Last week we’re in Manchester. It’s like a global tour with the zone and the Saudis are really, really investing in the sport, not just in terms of paying up for, for, for the fights, but investing in the promotion.You know, Turkeyala Sheikh’s acquisition of the Ring Magazine as well, making that a very powerful platform for the sport. So that’s helped the profile of boxing, and as I said, it’s made, in my opinion, boxing now much bigger than MMA and it’s even made the guys in MMMA Michaelri it over to boxing. So I think at the moment, the property is red hot, the zone is red hot and uh long may it continue.

20:09 spk_0

Very interesting. Yeah, boxing doesn’t seem to be slowing down at all, especially in Saudi Arabia or anywhere else. Eddie, thank you so much for joining the show today.Thanks, Joe.The clock is running down here, but we have just enough time for some final buzz. So let’s talk about the business behind the Tour de France. It all started in 1903 when French newspaper Elato created the tour as a marketing sun to boost circulation, and it worked with sales doubling immediately. Today, it’s owned by Amari sport organization, or ASO, a private company that also runs the Dakar Rally and other events, but the Tour de France is their crown jewel, accounting for more than half of ASO’s annual revenue.So how does it bring in that kind of money? Well, first is sponsorships. Roughly 50% of tour revenue comes from corporate sponsors. There are over 40 official partners, including LCL Bank and Continental. Even the iconic jerseys, the yellow, green, polka dot, and white, each have their own dedicated sponsor.Next up is meteorites. The tour is broadcast in over 190 countries and attracts up to 3.5 billion cumulative viewers. ASO reportedly earns more than $80 million annually from global broadcasting deals. Then there are hosting fees. Towns pay between $70,000 and $120,000 to host the stage start or finish. Why? Well, because the tour draws tens of thousands of tours, global media attention and priceless.Marketing value. ASO then uses that money to fund the race’s prize pool. The total purse is around $2.5 million with the winner taking home about $540,000. But unlike other sports, riders usually split that money with their entire team, including mechanics, chefs, support staff, and other riders on their team. That’s why most riders rely on salaries and sponsorships more than prize money. Top cyclists can earn between$2 million.05 million dollars annually through team deals and endorsements. In simple terms, the Tour de France is much more than a bike race. It’s a three-week traveling roadshow with 4500 staff members, team buses, helicopters, and production crews coordinating a new city each day. It’s also a global marketing platform. Sponsors don’t just put their logos on jerseys, they set up villages, run caravans, and interact with millions of fans lining the roads.So, next time you see a pack of riders charging up a mountain, remember behind every pedal stroke is a century old business model that’s still spinning out profits.We’re all out of time, so it’s officially game over for this week. Thank you so much to Jake, Eddie, and for all of you for joining us. Please make sure to scan the QR code below to follow Yahoo Finance podcast for more videos and expert insight and catch us every Friday wherever you get your podcast. I’m your host, Joe Pompeiano. See you next

22:38 spk_3

time.This content was not intended to be financial advice and should not be used as a substitute for professional financial services.

These Ultra-Rare, Camera-Free iPhones Come at a Hefty Price

Every year, Apple rolls out new iPhones with ever-more impressive enhancements, particularly focusing on photo quality in their iPhone Pro and iPhone Pro Max models. By increasing the size of these sensors or the number of megapixels, Apple ensures a top-notch photography experience on these devices.

However, recently, internet users were shocked to see videos and photos of an iPhone completely lacking a camera. This unique model is not available in typical retail stores like Best Buy or Target, nor can it be found on Apple’s website. These aren’t just digital fabrications created by AI; they are real, albeit used only in very specific contexts, making them exceedingly rare.

Where and Why Are These Special iPhones Used?

These specialized iPhones are only available in very particular locations. They are usually designated for professionals who need to enter ultra-secure areas or handle highly sensitive documents regularly. Typically, these phones are owned by government officials or military personnel who deal with top-secret information.

In certain professions, bringing a smartphone into a secure area, especially one equipped with a camera, is often prohibited. The concern is not with the phone itself but the potential to quickly snap pictures or record video. Hence, some military members opt for iPhones that are completely devoid of cameras.

How Are These Camera-Free iPhones Created?

These rare iPhones are indeed manufactured by Apple, just like their standard models. However, military and government professionals requiring a camera-free iPhone (or needing one for their job) must start with a regular iPhone. They then need to utilize a third-party company that offers kits specifically designed to remove the camera and replace the back of the device. One of the best-known companies providing such a service is NonCam, which, for example, offers a kit to remove the camera from an iPhone 7 for about $170.

NonCam also sells iPhones already stripped of their camera modules. However, these modified phones are much more expensive than their standard counterparts. For instance, an iPhone SE (2020) without a camera is listed at around $1380, significantly higher than its original market price of approximately $400 in the United States.

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Emily Carter is the Senior Editor for High Tech and Lifestyle at Dixie Sun News. With a degree in computer science and over 8 years of experience writing for major tech publications, Emily brings a deep understanding of the latest tech trends and gadgets. In addition to covering cutting-edge technology, she also explores lifestyle topics ranging from wellness to personal productivity. When she’s not writing, Emily enjoys experimenting with smart home devices and trying out new fitness tech.
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