Invicta FC founder Shannon Knapp admits it was robust to chew her tongue and never hearth again at rumors that the all-women’s promotion was going out of enterprise.
Simply weeks earlier than saying a broadcast rights deal teaming up Invicta FC with CBS Sports activities Community, a report surfaced on Twitter that the group was allegedly performed, with no occasions since October 2023. In reality, Knapp says the prolonged break was intentional because the promotion made some crucial modifications internally whereas working tirelessly on getting a brand new TV deal performed.
As soon as she was lastly capable of announce the partnership with CBS Sports activities Community, Knapp was more than pleased to take a victory lap.
“Let me let you know how onerous it was to learn that stuff,” Knapp instructed MMA Preventing. “To learn it and simply know that I knew one thing totally different. Typically you simply have to remain quiet and let folks put their very own foot of their mouth, so to talk.
“No, do you suppose I’m happening with out a combat? True to the phoenix, we at all times rise and discover a means. It definitely was not the case nor would I sit again and let that be the case. If Invicta doesn’t exist, it creates an enormous gap within the business. Invicta is tremendous essential to this sport, not simply due to the ladies’s facet of it however simply we preserve folks sincere. I like that’s what Invicta means to the fight area. Yeah, no, not happening that simply.”
As a well-respected business veteran who’s been round fight sports activities longer than many organizations have even existed, Knapp didn’t actually really feel the necessity to get right into a mud slinging contest publicly.
As an alternative, she simply sat again and waited for the possibility to announce the take care of CBS Sports activities Community together with a busy schedule full of occasions for the remainder of 2024 to cement her win.
“The factor is I’m so approachable, if in case you have doubts, name me up,” Knapp mentioned. “I’m not going to lie. I’m not identified to be untruthful within the business or a liar. So it’s definitely simple sufficient to choose up the cellphone and ask me as an alternative of assuming.
“However sensationalism and spreading non-truths, that occurs so much on this facet of the game.”
So far as the CBS Sports activities deal, Knapp revealed that talks with the Paramount owned community began a number of months in the past however broadcast rights offers don’t occur in a single day. There was a variety of floor to cowl earlier than contracts could possibly be inked together with a plan to launch the following Invicta FC card, which matches down Friday in Kansas Metropolis.
“It’s been a very thrilling time and onerous to maintain it quiet,” Knapp mentioned. “You sit again and you understand what’s coming and also you’ve been engaged on it however it’s important to announce when it’s time to announce. It’s been a whirlwind since we introduced [the deal].
“I feel again simply earlier than the final occasion, we began doing the courting course of as we’ll name it. A very good six or seven months now, one thing in that neighborhood. For me, you’ll be able to’t share that info. I’ve a variety of athletes which have questions and stuff. I’m actually blessed that they belief me once I inform them I’m engaged on one thing that might be a recreation changer for us and might be nice for you, that they belief in that. It’s robust to maintain that quiet.”
Knapp says in the end going with CBS Sports activities Community was a no brainer when she contemplated the longer term for Invicta FC, which has despatched dozens of athletes off to promotions just like the UFC ever since first launching again in 2012.
“They’re a really revered sports activities community, which I like,” Knapp mentioned. “Simply being on a sports activities community was crucial. I feel exterior of the deal factors and issues like that, that at all times make a distinction, it simply seems like a very good match. They’re good folks. I’ve had a very good expertise coping with them and the representatives I’ve handled up to now. It simply felt proper at this second in time.
“Who is aware of what the longer term brings however definitely very invested on this and so they’re invested in it and need to be a part of this household, the CBS Sports activities Community household.”
With the primary occasion underneath the CBS Sports activities banner on Friday, Invicta FC already has future playing cards set for August, September, November and December.
After engaged on the published rights deal and a 9 month layoff between occasions, Knapp can’t wait to hit the bottom working with a really busy 2024 forward of her.
“I adore it,” Knapp mentioned. “That’s the factor that’s so essential is consistency. In case you don’t have consistency, then how do you construct a model? I simply suppose it’s massively essential. To have a partnership that gives that consistency is nice. We’re excited.
“A possibility for Invicta to shine and to attach with a possible fanbase that wasn’t out there to us and attain new followers. We’re enthusiastic about it.”
