Motley Fool Money The Business of Vice: UFC, Sports Gambling, and Tobacco’s Comeback
Aug 12, 2025
Analysts delve into the resurgence of sin stocks, spotlighting TKO Group's billion-dollar UFC rights deal and its implications for investors. The podcast explores the explosive growth of sports betting, highlighting companies like DraftKings and Flutter amidst varying public opinions. Additionally, there’s a discussion on the tobacco industry's revival, driven by new regulations and consumer preferences for reduced-risk products. The risks and rewards in these controversial sectors are examined, painting a complex picture of investment opportunities.
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Year-Round Fight Content Drives Subscriber Value
- Live combat sports like UFC and WWE offer year-round, no-offseason content that keeps subscribers engaged.
- Nick Seifel says streaming platforms pay premium for that constant, plug-and-play production.
Paramount Deal Multiplies UFC Reach And Fees
- Paramount's deal pays about $1.1 billion per year for UFC content and massively increases distribution.
- Nick Seifel notes moving from ESPN's double paywall to broader Paramount Plus reach boosts exposure.
Subscription Delivery Beats Pay-Per-View Friction
- Sports content shifts streaming from pay-per-view to subscription, reducing price friction for consumers.
- Nick Seifel highlights TKO's in-house production makes it easy for platforms to add live events.