CBS honcho rips network's extreme fight plan | Sports

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CBS bigwig not happy about MMA on the network
Published 5/1/2008 by Jim Murphy at MMA Blog - TheSavageScience.com
... he does the right thing.” But Ed Goren, president of Fox Sports, was more direct, telling an audience of 200 that he didn’t pursue a relationship with ultimate fighting because, “We don’t need money that badly.” Redstone, sensing the presence of reporters, then faced the audience and proclaimed: “I want to send a message. ‘Les, I’m not criticizing you. Don’t call me tonight.’” Ed Goren’s comment is the most absurd. That’s Hollywood spin for “Zuffa didn’t return our phone calls”. CBS honcho rips network’s extreme fighting plans @ Reuters.com

CBS Boss: Our MMA Deal Was a Mistake
Published 5/1/2008 by Michael David Smith at FanHouse
... Sumner Redstone, the billionaire who owns a controlling stake in CBS, said yesterday that the network's deal with EliteXC was a mistake, and that it is not "socially responsible" to air MMA on network television. "I'm a lover not a fighter," Redstone said. "I don't like the sport." ...

Video: Kimbo Slice Prevails in Nationally Televised MMA Event
Published 6/2/2008 by Anthony Hall at MVN Outsider
... It’s uncertain if criticisms of CBS for taking the plunge and airing MMA events will begin to quiet — Sumner Redstonee, executive chairman for CBS Corp., has ripped his own network’s decision to strike a deal with EliteXC, asserting that it is not “socially responsible” to air the bouts on broadcast television. Many others have referred to the sport as “barbaric,” and have expressed disappointment that MMA events have been adopted by CBS. ...