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Supply Side

YES Network Adds Bare-Knuckle Fighting to Its Lineup

By SOS. News Desk | Jan 08, 2026

The YES Network, home of the New York Yankees, has signed a content and promotional deal with Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC). The partnership is a low-cost bet to add programming to the network's linear and streaming platforms as it adapts to the post-cable landscape.

  • Content over combat: The agreement, which begins January 9, focuses on library content, not live fight rights. YES will air BKFC’s docu-series, classic fights, and podcasts across its channels, with a nationwide push on its Gotham Sports App.

  • A bet against the bundle: For YES, the move provides fresh material to attract subscribers to The Gotham Sports App, the streaming platform it launched in 2024 as its strategic answer to cord-cutting. “BKFC delivers a passionate, fast-growing fan base,” said Jason Feneque, a YES Network director, seeing the deal as a way to engage “younger and more diverse fans.”

  • A mainstream audition: For BKFC, the deal is a massive boost in legitimacy. The partnership with an established media brand gives the controversial fighting style access to the lucrative New York market and a national platform, serving as a powerful gateway to attract new fans.

This is a symbiotic deal reflecting a larger trend in sports media: RSNs are hunting for low-cost, high-engagement content to fill schedules, while niche sports crave the mainstream exposure that legacy media brands provide.

Credit: BKFC YES Network

Key Takeaways

  • The YES Network signs a content and promotional deal with Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship to add programming to its linear and streaming platforms.
  • The partnership focuses on library content, including docu-series and classic fights, rather than live broadcast rights.
  • For YES, the deal is a low-cost strategy to attract younger subscribers to its Gotham Sports App amid the decline of traditional cable.
  • The agreement provides BKFC with mainstream exposure and legitimacy by aligning with an established sports media brand in the New York market.