Showtime-Strikeforce Negotiations Ongoing, but Now With Dana White Involved

isn't quite dead yet.

Following a recent shakeup at Showtime that saw former sports head Ken Hershman leave for HBO, it seems that there is a renewed hope that the premium cable network might be able to strike a deal with Strikeforce.

So far, there's been at least one change to the ongoing negotiations. While they had previously been handled by Zuffa co-owner Lorenzo Fertitta, White has taken the reigns in search of a new deal.

press conference on the Brooklyn Bridge replica outside the New York New York Hotel. "That's why I was there. So yeah, I'm it now. I took over."

White said he was able to inject himself into the situation now that Hershman is gone. The two have had a notoriously rocky history over the years, with White pulling no punches over his thoughts on Hershman. Even now that the executive has moved on, White did the same, saying dealing with the channel has gotten a lot easier now that he's gone.

Why?

"Because he's an idiot, and the rest of the guys aren't," he said.

will come to a close. The timeframe for a decision has been extended as the two sides attempt to keep the promotion alive past the first quarter of 2012. But at least there is a newfound sense of optimism involved.

"I had a great meeting with them," he said. "We'll see how it goes. I met with all of them, the whole crew. It went very well, and we'll see how it progresses."

Grid View

• UFC 137 Press Conference Photos

  Dana White takes questions from reporters after the UFC 137 pre-fight press conference on Thursday, Oct. 27, 2011 at the Brooklyn Bridge at the New York-New York Hotel in Las Vegas.

  Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
• UFC 137 Press Conference Photos

  B.J. Penn and Nick Diaz pose for photographers after the UFC 137 pre-fight press conference on Thursday, Oct. 27, 2011 at the Brooklyn Bridge at the New York-New York Hotel in Las Vegas.

  Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
• UFC 137 Press Conference Photos

  B.J. Penn and Nick Diaz put their fists up after the UFC 137 pre-fight press conference on Thursday, Oct. 27, 2011 at the Brooklyn Bridge at the New York-New York Hotel in Las Vegas.

  Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
• UFC 137 Press Conference Photos

  B.J. Penn and Nick Diaz put their fists up after the UFC 137 pre-fight press conference on Thursday, Oct. 27, 2011 at the Brooklyn Bridge at the New York-New York Hotel in Las Vegas.

  Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
• UFC 137 Press Conference Photos

  Cheick Kongo and Matt Mitrione square off with smiles at the UFC 137 pre-fight press conference on Thursday, Oct. 27, 2011 at the Brooklyn Bridge at the New York-New York Hotel in Las Vegas.

  Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
• UFC 137 Press Conference Photos

  Cheick Kongo and Matt Mitrione wave to reporters and fans at the UFC 137 pre-fight press conference on Thursday, Oct. 27, 2011 at the Brooklyn Bridge at the New York-New York Hotel in Las Vegas.

  Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
• UFC 137 Press Conference Photos Mirko Cro Cop greets Roy Nelson at the UFC 137 pre-fight press conference on Thursday, Oct. 27, 2011 at the Brooklyn Bridge at the New York-New York Hotel in Las Vegas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
• UFC 137 Press Conference Photos Jon Anik announced as a newest member of the UFC broadcast team beginning in 2012. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
• UFC 137 Press Conference Photos UFC president Dana White talks to the media at the UFC 137 pre-fight press conference on Thursday, Oct. 27, 2011 at the Brooklyn Bridge at the New York-New York Hotel in Las Vegas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
• UFC 137 Press Conference Photos Nick Diaz talks to the media at the UFC 137 pre-fight press conference on Thursday, Oct. 27, 2011 at the Brooklyn Bridge at the New York-New York Hotel in Las Vegas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
• UFC 137 Press Conference Photos Matt Mitrione talks to the media at the UFC 137 pre-fight press conference on Thursday, Oct. 27, 2011 at the Brooklyn Bridge at the New York-New York Hotel in Las Vegas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
• UFC 137 Press Conference Photos Nick Diaz talks to the media at the UFC 137 pre-fight press conference on Thursday, Oct. 27, 2011 at the Brooklyn Bridge at the New York-New York Hotel in Las Vegas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
• UFC 137 Press Conference Photos Mirko Cro Cop talks to the media at the UFC 137 pre-fight press conference on Thursday, Oct. 27, 2011 at the Brooklyn Bridge at the New York-New York Hotel in Las Vegas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
• UFC 137 Press Conference Photos Roy Nelson laughs during the UFC 137 pre-fight press conference on Thursday, Oct. 27, 2011 at the Brooklyn Bridge at the New York-New York Hotel in Las Vegas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
• UFC 137 Press Conference Photos Cheick Kongo listens to a question at the UFC 137 pre-fight press conference on Thursday, Oct. 27, 2011 at the Brooklyn Bridge at the New York-New York Hotel in Las Vegas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
• UFC 137 Press Conference Photos B.J. Penn talks to the media at the UFC 137 pre-fight press conference on Thursday, Oct. 27, 2011 at the Brooklyn Bridge at the New York-New York Hotel in Las Vegas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
• UFC 137 Press Conference Photos The view from the press seats on Thursday, Oct. 27, 2011 at the Brooklyn Bridge at the New York-New York Hotel in Las Vegas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
• UFC 137 Press Conference Photos Mirko Cro Cop listens to a question at the UFC 137 pre-fight press conference on Thursday, Oct. 27, 2011 at the Brooklyn Bridge at the New York-New York Hotel in Las Vegas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
• UFC 137 Press Conference Photos Jon Anik talks about becoming a UFC broadcaster at the UFC 137 pre-fight press conference on Thursday, Oct. 27, 2011 at the Brooklyn Bridge at the New York-New York Hotel in Las Vegas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
• UFC 137 Press Conference Photos UFC president Dana White opens up the UFC 137 pre-fight press conference on Thursday, Oct. 27, 2011 at the Brooklyn Bridge at the New York-New York Hotel in Las Vegas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting