DirecTV Drops Versus, WEC

It turns out Reed Harris was a little too optimistic.

Harris, general manager for the WEC, confidently predicted last week that renegotiations between broadcast partner Versus and its carrier DirecTV would be resolved before a midnight deadline on Sept. 1. (I have to admit, I didn’t think much if it either –- you hear about these things getting worked out all the time.)

However, midnight came and passed, and Versus –- which has aired 15 WEC events since June 2007 –- went black.

And DirecTV was kind enough to leave a cheery note behind in its place.

“Versus is no longer available on this channel,” read the message. “Comcast, which owns Versus, has forced us to take down the channel because we will not submit to their unfair and outrageous demands.”

The media made big noise last week when the WEC decided to postpone a Sept. 2 event in Ohio by five weeks, citing an injury to headliner Benson Henderson.

Was the WEC being a little savvier than it wanted to let on? Who knows, but you think Versus’ inability to fulfill its contract obligations (if amicable terms between Versus and DirecTV just can’t be salvaged) would free up the WEC to look for someone who can.

The UFC faced a similar scenario in the U.K. last June when Setanta Sports suddenly went belly up. The UFC impressively landed with ESPN’s U.K. arm.

Is there a silver lining waiting out there for the WEC as well?