Stan boss Martin Kugeler said the streaming company’s first pay-per-view match had exceeded sales expectations.
Newly appointed chief executive of streaming service Stan, Martin Kugeler, has shrugged off criticism of the short-lived fight between Sonny Bill Williams and Barry Hall and declared ambitions to dominate coverage of boxing in Australia.
Stan, which expanded into live sport last year after acquiring rights to key rugby union, tennis and European soccer competitions, held its first pay-per-view event this week, a boxing match between retired cross code star Sonny Bill Williams and former AFL player Barry Hall. But the bout, which cost subscribers $50 to watch, lasted only two minutes.
All Black and Sydney Roosters player Sonny Bill Williams vs former AFL Sydney Swans player Barry Hall exchange punches during their fight at Aware Super Theatre in Sydney.While Mr Kugeler declined to provide a revenue or audience figure for the fight, he said it exceeded Stan’s expectations. “Turf War was a huge success for Stan, and I am incredibly proud of what we achieved on Wednesday night. We have significantly exceeded all expectations for pay-per-view sales,” Mr Kugeler said.
Promoter Green Machine Boxing said the fight was a “landmark moment” and Stan’s push into pay per view events “will be the catalyst for exposing and building household names in this gruelling sport with a view to building more world champions”.