Steve Bornstein, former CEO of ESPN and NFL Network, has taken a seat on the advisory board of Scott Coker's new MMA promotion. The promotion confirmed the appointment, adding a high-profile media executive to its leadership structure.
Steve Bornstein, the former chief executive of both ESPN and NFL Network, has joined the advisory board of Scott Coker's new MMA promotion, the organization confirmed on July 15.
Bornstein brings decades of experience at the highest levels of American sports media. His tenure at ESPN helped transform the network into the dominant force in domestic sports broadcasting, while his time leading NFL Network gave him a direct window into building a league-owned media property from the ground up. His addition to the advisory board signals that Coker's new venture is assembling serious infrastructure behind the scenes.
Scott Coker is one of the most recognized figures in MMA promotion, having previously built Strikeforce into a major organization before leading Bellator MMA for over a decade. His new promotion has not yet staged events, but the appointment of a media executive of Bornstein's stature suggests a deliberate focus on distribution and broadcast strategy from the outset.
Why it matters
- Bornstein's media background could accelerate conversations with broadcast and streaming partners
- Coker's promotional track record combined with experienced board advisors strengthens the venture's credibility
- A new major MMA promotion entering the landscape would give fighters additional high-level options and could reshape the competitive market for talent
The move underscores that Coker's organization is not approaching its launch casually. Adding a figure who oversaw the growth of two of the most powerful sports media brands in the United States to an advisory role is a clear attempt to position the promotion as a long-term, broadcast-ready enterprise rather than a regional or boutique operation.
