Debut Telecast Airs Live on February 10, 2007 at 10 p.m. ET/PT
Pro Elite, Inc. (PELE.PK) and Showtime Networks Inc. today announced the formation of Elite Xtreme Combat (EliteXC) at a Hollywood press conference. EliteXC will exploit the growing phenomenon of mixed martial arts by staging world-class live events on the premium television network SHOWTIME. The highlyanticipated first event will air live on SHOWTIME on February 10, 2007 (10 p.m. ET/PT) from the DeSoto Civic Center in Mississippi.
“EliteXC is creating new mixed martial art events which will be televised by one of America’s strongest premium networks,” announced EliteXC CEO Doug DeLuca. “These events will connect with every martial arts enthusiast in America, and ultimately the world. Our goal is to help the sport continue to grow and flourish. As our strategy rolls out we will provide more and more fighters with an opportunity to compete and promote themselves. We also plan on building an extensive library of content relating to MMA which will attract additional fans to the website and generate future revenues.”
The management team at EliteXC is experienced and entrepreneurial. Among them, DeLuca has produced hundreds of hours of network and cable television. Highly regarded boxing promoter Gary Shaw is President of EliteXC Live Events division and Kelly Perdew, “Apprentice 2” winner and former President of eteamz.com – the largest amateur sports portal in the world – is President of EliteXC.com.
“Elite Xtreme Combat will bring a new level of excitement to the fight market and Showtime is the ideal partner for us in this growing arena,” said President of EliteXC Live Events, Gary Shaw. “Mixed martial arts, as a sport, is in its infancy and has tremendous potential. We are thrilled to bring such a skilled team of executives and entrepreneurs together to help build what we expect will be the premier provider of MMA events and content.” The main event on SHOWTIME’s initial EliteXC telecast will pit MMA legend Frank Shamrock against world-renowned Brazilian jiu-jitsu pioneer Renzo Gracie.
“Showtime is proud to be the first premium network to deliver MMA to our subscribers,” said Ken Hershman, senior vice president and general manager of sports and event programming, Showtime Networks Inc. “With EliteXC’s interactive and online components and a nationwide audience on SHOWTIME, EliteXC is well positioned to fast become the leading organization within the sport of mixed martial arts.”
The executive producer of the SHOWTIME telecasts is David Dinkins, Jr. with eight-time Emmy Award-winner John Faratzis directing and World Wrestling icon Bill Goldberg serving as color analyst.
In a groundbreaking move for MMA, EliteXC will stream the non-televised undercard fights live online at EliteXC.com.
EliteXC takes pride in its leadership position in the MMA sports world. Professional athletes will compete in EliteXC events that offer world-class entertainment with innovative staging, first-class production value and non-stop action that elevate mixed martial arts fighting to a new level.
