Ariel Helwani has exited out of ESPN in favor of the European-based sports media brand BT Sport. It was revealed earlier this month that the established MMA reporter would be leaving ESPN after his three-year deal with the sports conglomerate expired last week and it didn’t take long for Helwani to find a new residence. BT Sport announced this morning that Ariel will be wearing several media hats for its brand that will include coverage for UFC, boxing and WWE.
? Introducing the newest member of the BT Sport Family ??
Excited to announce the one and only @arielhelwani will be joining us to add to our coverage across the UFC, Boxing and WWE ?
We can't wait to get started! ?? pic.twitter.com/6j8xoENSku
— UFC on TNT Sports (@ufcontnt) June 21, 2021
Helwani himself shared a few words with fans expressing his excitement to be joining a brand that he considers global rather than just European.
We believe the term is “good get” ?@arielhelwani with a few words about joining the BT Sport team ?
Let’s go!
? @btsportufc pic.twitter.com/Gf4rZN03ek
— WWE on TNT Sports (@wweontnt) June 21, 2021
Helwani did give previous comment regarding his leave from ESPN in a June 6 video on Instagram where he even hinted at a new place of work.
“I want to let you know that there’s no hard feelings here. ESPN did offer me a new contract,” Helwani said. “I signed for 3 years back in 2018. They offered me a new contract. I was given the opportunity to look at what was out there for me and I found a lot of exciting opportunities and a lot of things that think the fans will really like and be pumped about, as I am as well. I’m not quite ready to announce that.
“I’ll tell you about that soon.”
“I’d be lying if I said I’d go there and leave three years later,” Helwani said. “But this is a crazy world, a crazy business.”
