EliteXC closes in on partnership with FSN

In the ever-evolving world of promoting and marketing mixed martial arts, it has been proven that television exposure is crucial to an organization's success.

For EliteXC, they debuted in 2007 with a broadcast deal already in place with popular premium cable station Showtime, and since that time the promotion has built upon that relationship with a series of fights showing live on network television courtesy of CBS.

The promotion appears to be ready to tack Fox Sports Net to their growing list of television partners as it looks likely that the television juggernaut that already broadcasts fights from Pride FC, the International Fight League, and most recently Affliction, will add EliteXC to its roster in the near future.

Recently, Fox Sports Net Executive Vice President George Greenburg was quoted as saying the network plans on broadcasting EliteXC fights in the near future.

ProElite Executive Chairmain Doug DeLuca didn't confirm the news about the possible deal with FSN, but he did talk about ongoing discussions to bring the two organizations together soon.

"We're not really prepared to talk about anything in detail, but we certainly are talking," DeLuca said about the deal with Fox Sports Net. "We're definitely talking and you'll probably see something soon."

DeLuca also mentioned that the promotion is in the process of planning out a pay-per-view event for early 2009, but nothing has been solidified as of now.

The next major EliteXC event after the upcoming CBS-EliteXC Saturday Night Fights show will emulate on Sept. 20 on Showtime as confirmed by EliteXC Vice President Jared Shaw to MMAWeekly.com last week.

Shaw confirmed the date for the event and that it would be a Showtime broadcast, but a venue has not been secured as of yet. No fights or fighters have been discussed at this time, but following the July 26 card, more details will be fleshed out.