ESPN turmoil could impact UFC’s long-term economics

What may be the most important news story so far this year regarding the UFC's long-term economics was a major media story that on the surface appeared to have absolutely nothing to do with the promotion.
The story is the extensive layoffs at ESPN, shining a light hard on the economic condition of the station that for years seemed to be almost printing money.
Ever since WME-IMG paid nearly $4 billion for UFC ownership, with much of that money borrowed, the company started making its own substant