The two giant TV networks will have to agree on the role to take as they will be tasked to jointly broadcast the richest boxing fight in history.
Mayweather is signed to CBS/Showtime in a $250 million six-fight contract while Pacquiao and his promoter Bob Arum are aligned with HBO.
It appears that the talks on the broadcast arrangement for the fight won’t be a big hurdle for the two giant TV networks as they have already worked harmoniously before despite their being longtime competitors.
In 2002, HBO and Showtime jointly aired the fight between Lennox Lewis and Mike Tyson with Lewis stopping Tyson in the eighth round.
Chief Executive of CBS Leslie Moonves, who should be credited for his active role in the nearly done Mayweather-Pacquiao fight, is reportedly working on the details of the proposed broadcast collaboration with HBO.
It appears that CBS/Showtime will take the lead in the joint broadcast as it has a big stake in the next two fights of Mayweather who has already fought four of his total six contracted fights under Showtime.
The two competing networks are reportedly meeting on Thursday to work on the details of the proposed joint TV/broadcast coverage.
HBO and Showtime have everything to gain on the proposed joint broadcast as the fight would generate substantial revenues from major advertisers.
Public awareness of the super fight has soared tremendously in the last five years and it is estimated that the fight will attract more than three million pay-per-view buyers which will bring in over $200 million in pay-per-view revenue based on $70.00 each.
The two popular networks have no reason to stand in the way of the fight because they can look forward to another windfall as there would likely be a rematch or even a third fight defending on the rematch clause that Mayweather had reportedly included in the contract.
