Joe Hand Promotions: A Legacy in Sports Broadcasting
When watching a boxing match, UFC fight, wrestling event, or any premium pay-per-view event at a North American bar, it’s likely Joe Hand Promotions played a key role. As the leading distributor of premium sports content to commercial venues, the company collaborates with various platforms, including DirecTV, Dish, and DAZN. In 2024, they achieved notable milestones, all stemming from a newspaper article read by Joe Hand Jr.’s father about boxing legend Joe Frazier.
In the past, Joe Hand Sr. discovered a piece in the Philadelphia Daily News discussing a group of businessmen who formed Cloverlay, aiming to manage Frazier’s career post-Olympics. Intrigued by the initiative to support Frazier’s training financially, Hand Sr. sought to be part of it. Despite his modest salary as a Philadelphia police officer, he borrowed $500 and became one of Cloverlay’s first investors.
Cloverlay flourished, and as Hand Sr.’s involvement deepened, he transitioned into a management position, gaining invaluable experience alongside influential businessmen. Although he didn’t have a college education, he seized the opportunity to learn from these smart individuals, which positioned him prominently within Cloverlay.
His entrepreneurial journey took a significant turn when other investors encouraged him to establish Joe Hand Promotions for handling closed-circuit broadcasts of Frazier’s fights. Hand Sr. innovatively proposed projecting fights in theaters and arenas, a precursor to modern pay-per-view. This venture solidified the company’s presence and enabled it to expand rapidly in the ensuing years.
Under the leadership of Joe Hand Sr. and Jr., Joe Hand Promotions grew to work with major national chains like Buffalo Wild Wings and regional franchises such as Miller’s Ale House. In recent years, the company has recorded unprecedented subscription numbers for services like ESPN+ for Business and DAZN Boxing, notably achieving an all-time high for commercial viewership during a Jake Paul-Mike Tyson fight.
Despite his initial reluctance to join the family business, Joe Hand Jr. now expresses great enthusiasm for his role. He recalls how he helped with early promotional efforts while his father was working tirelessly in the basement office. What began as a summer job turned into a fulfilling career as he became a partner after successfully assisting with a major fight in 1980.
As Joe Hand Promotions evolves, Hand Jr. remains optimistic about the future, especially with the rise of streaming. The surge in new content partnerships has broadened their offerings, allowing them to provide diverse programming for sports bars. Hand emphasizes the enduring appeal of watching sports in communal settings, affirming that the demand for unique sporting experiences will continue to thrive.
