In the high-stakes arena of global sports promotion, scrutiny is an occupational hazard. For ONE Championship and its Chairman and CEO, Chatri Sityodtong, a recent surge of public criticism has necessitated a direct response. Addressing concerns ranging from the organization`s financial health and operational efficiency to athlete relations, Sityodtong has taken to public platforms to counter what he describes as a targeted campaign of misinformation.
Recent reports and online commentary have painted a challenging picture for the Singapore-based promotion, citing potential financial instability, adjustments to staffing levels, discontent among some athletes, and perceived inconsistencies in event scheduling. These points of critique collectively formed a narrative suggesting significant underlying issues within the organization.
Sityodtong`s counter-narrative is firm, particularly regarding key partnership agreements and financial metrics. He explicitly denied rumors circulating about the premature termination of ONE`s significant broadcast deal with Amazon Prime Video for the U.S. market, clarifying that the agreement remains active and is scheduled to run until mid-2027. On the financial front, he asserted that critics have misinterpreted the company`s overall performance by focusing narrowly on the results of a single subsidiary rather than evaluating the broader financial framework of the entire organization – a common tactic in complex corporate structures, perhaps, but one that can certainly lead to differing public perceptions depending on the data slice presented.
While pushing back against what he characterized as unfounded attacks, Sityodtong did not shy away from acknowledging certain operational challenges. He admitted that the organization has experienced “missteps,” specifically mentioning regional downsizing efforts, necessary event rescheduling, and periods of less-than-optimal communication with its roster of athletes. These, he suggested, are not indicators of fundamental failure but rather the inherent difficulties encountered when attempting to build and manage a global sports property at scale. “We make mistakes. We fail. We drop the ball,” he stated candidly, framing these issues as part of the complex, often messy, process of growth.
Addressing the sensitive topic of athlete dissatisfaction, Sityodtong indicated that while some concerns raised are valid and are addressed privately, others stem from natural disagreements inherent in the sport, such as matchmaking decisions, compensation expectations, or performance evaluations. Managing a diverse roster of elite competitors with unique career aspirations inevitably leads to varying perspectives, and reconciling these is presented as an ongoing management challenge rather than systemic neglect.
Despite the public noise, Sityodtong pointed to several operational indicators he considers positive signs of momentum. These include reported growth in revenue figures, the successful execution of sold-out international events, and robust engagement across digital platforms. These metrics, from the company`s perspective, suggest continued progress and underline a trajectory towards long-term profitability, a goal Sityodtong insists the company remains firmly on course to achieve.
Concluding his statement, Sityodtong reiterated ONE Championship`s stated mission to use its platform and athletes to inspire and uplift. He called upon supporters to remain steadfast, urging them to “double down on the good fight” alongside the organization as it navigates both the challenges of growth and the complexities of public perception in the modern media landscape.
Murray Blackwood 
Gareth Pendleton