TV Producer Mark Burnett Joins Professional Fighters League as Investor and Advisor

The Professional Fighters League (PFL) announced in an official press release over the weekend that Emmy-award winning producer Mark Burnett is partnering with the PFL as an advisor and investor in the MMA promotion. Additionally, Mark Burnett has partnered with PFL to develop and produce new content and programming for PFL’s upcoming season.

Per the press release, Mark Burnett is joining PFL investors as part of the advisory board. The MMA promotion will return for its 2018 league season on June 7. PFL is planning 11 events that will be shown across NBC Sports Network and Facebook Watch.

PFL is currently operating under exclusive multi-platform distribution agreements for its 2018 season for NBC Sports Group and Facebook. NBC Sports Group wants to establish an exclusive live Thursday night PFL fight franchise that will showcase seven regular-season live events that will be shown in prime time exclusively on NBCSN starting June 7 and running through the end of August.

Mark Burnett stated on the news: “It’s no secret that MMA’s audience is rapidly growing and PFL has an enormous global presence. As an enthusiast for innovation within the television industry, I’m passionate about the growth and vision of PFL and it’s time this sport revolves around a league format. They’re elevating the sport in an entirely new way and I’m looking forward to being part of it.”

PFL Co-Founder and Board Chairman Donn Davis added: “PFL is thrilled to partner with Mark Burnett the innovator and icon who invented and perfected unscripted TV. The PFL is re-imagining MMA and the start of the 2018 Season June 7 will bring fans the same excitement and ‘hey, I have never seen that’ reaction they felt when Survivor debuted and ushered in the new age of television.”

PFL’s new development deal will also feature the “What Do You Fight For?” programming that will provide short-form digital and social content that will showcase the day-to-day lives and back stories of the fighters. This programming will feature such original content as “Top 10 of The Week, Path to the Finals, 24:7: Life of a Fighter, and “Inside the Gym” Cam.