Mark Burnett, Kevin Hart, Tony Robbins Invest in MMA Startup Professional Fighters League https://t.co/gYvSfLxtKM
— Variety (@Variety) August 8, 2018
The Professional Fighters League’s pockets just got a lot deeper after several high profile investors, including the likes of comedian Kevin Hart and life coach Tony Robbins, announced a $28 million investment in the playoffs-based mixed martial arts outfit.
PFL, which changed its name from World Series of Fighting last year, has differentiated itself from the likes of Bellator MMA and the Ultimate Fighting Championship by holding point-based regular seasons with a $1 million grand prize for each divisional finalist. The league has a television deal with NBC Sports and has steadily gained the attention of more casual MMA fans over the last few months.
With that added attention comes more willing investors; Hart and Robbins are joined by fellow PFL investors Mark Burnett, Chairman of Worldwide Television Group MGM, Ted Leonsis, majority owner of NHL 2018 Stanley Cup Champion Washington Capitals and NBA Washington Wizards, among others.
“I once said ‘If you get kicked in the face you deserve it, since you saw the foot coming’ … that was before I became an investor in the Professional Fighters League!” said Kevin Hart on investing with PFL.. “I love sports, and the PFL is my favorite new sport to watch. The PFL fights are the most exciting in MMA as every fight means something, with fighters working to win a spot in the playoffs and the opportunity at their share of the $10 million. I became an investor as I believe the PFL is the future of MMA.”
“I invested because I am certain that the next evolution of MMA is this Professional Fighters League,” added Mark Burnett. “The fighters must win to move ahead. It’s MMA meets March Madness.”
“PFL empowers fighters to control their own destiny, which is new for MMA,” said Tony Robbins. “PFL is a meritocracy, giving all fighters an equal fair shot, which is what life and sports is all about.”
The PFL regular season concludes with its final two events this month, with PFL 6 on Aug. 16 and PFL 7 on Aug. 30.