BKB Hires Ex-DAZN Executive Michael Ridout to Run UK Business
BKB, a promotion that has been testing new ways to put fights in front of viewers, has hired an executive from the broadcast side of the business. Michael Ridout, formerly of DAZN and IMG, becomes its Managing Director, UK.
Fights on TikTok, talkSPORT and YouTube
In June BKB launched a TikTok broadcast initiative for the preliminary card of BKB 55 in Cardiff. The main card of that event went out through other channels.
In the UK and Ireland, talkSPORT carried it. Viewers elsewhere could watch on the YouTube channel of VICE TV.
The man hired to run the UK
Ridout spent more than 17 years at IMG before moving to DAZN. At IMG his roles included Vice President, Media, and he dealt with UK media sales and client relationships. He looked after the UFC's relationships with its broadcasters. He also handled IMG's ties with boxing promoter Frank Warren and sold Warren's boxing events around the world.
At DAZN he was Executive Vice President, Combat Sports and New Business. He joined in May 2024, and the source says he lists August 2026 as the end of that tenure.
Duties announced on Nov. 9
BKB made the appointment public on Nov. 9. Ridout is responsible for British operations and has added duties across the international business.
Commercial development and partnerships are part of the brief, as is growing BKB's fan base while it expands. He will work alongside the executive team on new commercial openings and partnerships. The job is to oversee the UK operation, not only to sell broadcast rights.
Tetreault and Ridout on the hire
CEO David Tetreault cited Ridout's record in international boxing as well as in sports rights and broadcast distribution. "We are delighted to welcome him to BKB," he said in the announcement.
Ridout sees growth in audience, reach abroad and new commercial partners as the company's openings. "I'm delighted to be joining the executive leadership team at such an important stage in the company's development," he said.
Source: LowKickMMA.com