VS may be changing its name to "incorporate the NBC Sports brand" sometime next year

http://www.mmamania.com/2010/12/22/1892451/sports-business-journal-brings-word-that-versus-the-network-that
Sports Business Journal brings word that Versus, the network that formerly broadcast the WEC and is scheduled to show four UFC events in 2011, may be changing its name to "incorporate the NBC Sports brand" sometime next year.
What does this mean for MMA fans? It would represent one gigantic step closer to the UFC making their way to network TV. Something to get excited for, Maniacs?

MMAPayout had this on the subject:

An interesting end of the year prediction came out of the Sports Business Daily (h/t Sports Business Daily and John Ourand) earlier this week.

From the Sports Business Journal:

Versus will change its name to something that incorporates the NBC Sports brand.

Versus is going to become the NBC Sports Channel or the NBC Sports Network or maybe even SNBC. It’s going to start carrying some of the properties that are on NBC, like one or two of Notre Dame’s non-marquee games.

Payout Perspective:

If this prediction would come to fruition, it would mean that the UFC would be aired on an NBC affiliated channel. The UFC is scheduled to have four events on Versus in 2011. This move could lead the UFC closer to an inevitable spot on NBC. Also, more mainstream viewing by the casual viewer. Even though this is speculation, it is an interesting issue to keep an eye on for the new year.

Sounds like some fairly big news that isn't getting much attention.

yes indeed.

http://www.mmamania.com/2011/8/1/2309014/versus-to-be-renamed-nbc-sports-network-on-jan-2-2012
Ultimate Fighting Championship
(UFC) will need to find a new name for its "Live" series as the "Versus
Network" will officially be renamed the "NBC Sports Network" on Jan. 2,
2012.

The Sporting News explains why:

"Our goal is for anyone who sees the name or logo of one of our
assets to immediately connect with NBC Sports," said NBC Sports Group
Chairman Mark Lazarus. He will officially announce the name change today
at the Television Critics Association tour in Beverly Hills, Calif.

As part of the Versus rebrand, the NBC Sports Group also is updating
its logo, making its peacock larger and using new fonts for NBC Sports.

"These rebranding efforts are a major step toward a complete
strategic alignment of all our platforms and businesses," Lazarus said.