For more on the struggle to make MMA legal in NY, check out Beau Dure’s article that was posted on USA Today earlier this month http://content.usatoday.com/communities/mma/post/2009/05/66483151/1l. The article includes feedback on NY Assemblyman Bob Reilly’s report (see my May 7 blog entry) from John McCarthy, Kenny Florian, Josh Barnett, Keith Kizer (NV Athletic Commission), and Dana White. The USA Today article also included this helpful map, which it reports came from the UFC. The green states regulate MMA, the yellow states have legislation legalizing MMA pending, the gray states do not have athletic commissions, and the white states have not yet approved MMA.
(From USA Today http://content.usatoday.com/communities/mma/post/2009/05/66483151/1l)
A few interesting points from the USA Today article. First, it was interesting to see the Union issue raised and explored. In response to accusations that his opposition had more to due with his support of the Unions than safety or violence prevention, Mr. Reilly responded that the Unions have nothing to do with his opposition. Further, Reilly stated that he felt such accusations were nothing more than personal attacks. This is somewhat confusing because Reilly specifically raised the Union issue in his report on MMA. Specifically, in the section of his report dealing with the economics of MMA he states:
“It is intersting to note that Frank and Lorenzo Fertitta, who own Ultimate Fighting, are billionaire casino owners in Las Vegas yet claim economics do not allow them to have unionized employees in their casinos. This speaks to what economic develop would result from ultimate fighting.“ Report at 17-18 (for a link to the report see my May 7 post).
So, based on his own report, it seems that the non-Union status of the Fertitta’s casino employees do have something to do with his opposition.
Another interesting point raised was the idea that ground-fighting is really what causes such a strong reaction from people viewing MMA for the first time. I think this hits on a really substantial point and is at the heart of what turns a lot of people off to the sport. When a fight goes to the ground it conjures up all kinds of really primal fears — things get serious when you go to the ground. More on ground-fighting soon . . . for now I’m going to enjoy the long weekend with the family. Have a fun and safe Memorial Day.
