PFL Announces Distribution Deal with NBC Sports and Facebook, Event Schedule for 2018

#WhatDoYouFightFor: The Professional Fighters League kicks off June 7, LIVE on @NBCSN and @facebook. Over $10 million is up for grabs in the postseason prize pool! Get more details about the premiere season here: https://t.co/q3IRnyDM4O pic.twitter.com/BgmUBCEML0

— #PFL2018 (@ProFightLeague) January 29, 2018

The Professional Fighters League has reached a multi-platform distribution agreement with NBC Sports and Facebook for 2018, the promotion announced Monday.

The upcoming PFL “season” will feature seven events followed by a postseason bracket where winners in six different weight classes will share a $10 million prize pool. In the United States, NBC Sports Network will televise the seven fight cards beginning June 7 through the end of August. The televised events will also be available for streaming on NBCSports.com and the NBC Sports app.

The PFL also announced that Peter Murray will serve as the organization’s chief executive officer. Murray previously held executive positions with the National Football League and Under Armour.

“We are excited to create a Thursday night destination that will be appointment viewing for MMA fans,” said NBC Sports Group president of programming Jon Miller in a release. “NBCSN, NBCSports.com, and the NBC Sports app will be home to the PFL’s innovative format, which will keep viewers on the edge of their seats from the first fight June 7 through the championship finale December 31. We look forward to working with Pete and the PFL team on what promises to be a thrilling season.”

Meanwhile, PFL events will stream for up to six hours free outside the United States via Facebook. The Facebook stream will also include 30-minute pre- and post-fight shows. In the U.S., fans can view the first three hours of PFL preliminary cards on the social media platform.

Following the conclusion of its regular season, PFL postseason events will be held on consecutive Saturdays in October utilizing a single-elimination format. The championship event is expected to air on New Year’s Eve in primetime and will feature title bouts in all six PFL weight classes.

"Today is an enormous step forward for the PFL and our mission of re-imagining and growing the sport of MMA," said PFL executive chairman Russ Ramsey. "We're thrilled to offer broad distribution for our first season, with great media partners in NBC Sports Network and Facebook. Pete Murray is an accomplished marketer and builder in sports and media, making him the ideal leader to deliver the innovative experience to MMA fans and build the PFL brand.”