Scott Coker is returning to lead a new MMA organization that is not yet named. He is assembling support from investors and entertainment-industry figures to build the league. Kevin Kay, former President of Paramount and Spike TV, will join an investor and advisory group. Wade Davis, former Viacom chief financial officer, and Steve Mosko, former Sony Pictures TV chair, are also involved. Steve Kaplan, owner of D.C. United and an asset management company, is part of the effort. Tony Hawk will contribute as well. The project is a collaboration between Coker and Peter Levin of Griffin Gaming Partners, who previously supported Strikeforce before its acquisition by the UFC. Coker emphasizes demand for a new global MMA brand and a focus on competition integrity, athlete respect, and sharing athletes’ journeys.
"Scott Coker is back. Per a press release and post on social media on Thursday, the former head of Strikeforce and Bellator MMA announced himself as returning to run a new MMA organization yet to be named at this time. Based on the email correspondence, it may be coined some variation of "Strike MMA," but that could be a working title. To garner support to put together a new MMA league, Coker has teamed up with several deep-pocketed investors and names familiar with the entertainment industry."
"Of note, Kevin Kay, former President of Paramount as well as Spike TV, will be on the investor and advisory group running this org. He has also gained the support of ex-Viacom chief financial officer Wade Davis, former Sony Pictures TV chair Steve Mosko, owner of D.C. United and a massive asset management company Steve Kaplan. In terms of household names, skateboarding icon Tony Hawk will also be chipping in. This promotion will be formed as a collaborative effort between Coker and Griffin Gaming Partners co-founder Peter Levin, who previously served as a proponent of Strikeforce before its acquisition by the Ultimate Fighting Championship."
"In his press release, the newly crowned CEO said, "I always knew I wanted to come back when the time was right, with the right vision and a carefully curated team. That time is now. There is an incredible demand for a fresh, new global brand in MMA. This new league is about returning to what matters: the integrity of competition, respect for the athletes and sharing their remarkable journeys with the world. We are building something authentic, something that belongs to the athletes and to the fans who live and breathe this sport.""
Read at Sherdog
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