MMA regulation in New York put on pause ... again
by MMAmania.com on Jun 24, 2009 6:10 AM EDT
Email
Print
Mixed martial arts (MMA) regulation in the "Empire State" hit another snag yesterday when the 2009 New York State Assembly session expired without bill A.2009-B making it past the Ways and Means Committee.
That means that it will not head to the Assembly floor for a general vote -- or make its way to the desk of Governor David Patterson for that matter -- until sometime in 2010.
The bill recently cleared an important hurdle, passing (14-6) in the Assembly’s Committee on Tourism, Parks, Arts and Sports. It was clear, however, that it still had a long way to go before complete passage.
Now we can tack on at least another six months on a very long and arduous fight to bring the fastest growing sport in the world to one of its biggest markets.
MMA is currently unregulated in New York. It appeared to be on the verge of being sanctioned in 2008, but some eleventh-hour concerns from uneducated members of the Assembly Committee on Tourism, Arts and Sports Development scuttled its passage.
Another session on the matter began in the state capital on Jan. 7, 2009, and was voted on earlier this month, indicating that pendulum was perhaps finally swinging in a positive direction.
Unfortunately, progress was stymied once again.
UFC Vice President for Government and Regulatory Affairs Marc Ratner and president of the company Dana White have been working on this deal for months and years, ratcheting up the economic rhetoric and financial success of its mixed martial events to influence voters who may be on the fence.
In fact, the organization hired a high-powered public relations and lobbying firm to ensure that its messages were heard and that common misconceptions were clarified among key influencers and the public-at-large.
In particular, the efforts were targeted at detractors like Democratic Assemblyman Bob Reilly, who referred to the sport of MMA as a "glorification of brutality and violence" and has seemingly done everything in his power to sabotage the process.
He and perhaps a few others will be pleased with this latest news; however, bill A.2009-B will come back around again, which will be hard to overlook much longer -- especially if the economy in the "Big Apple" is still struggling mightily.
An independent economic impact study indicated that the promotion would generate about $11.5 million for the city with just one major pay-per-view (PPV) event. Put simply, money talks … and the UFC has the numbers to back it up.
22 comments
|
0 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
as someone who lives in ny, this news really pisses me off. this state is apparently bleeding for money and they claim they dont have enough, but when a sure fire money makes like mma can help, they dont approve it, go figure. guess ill have to wait another year to see something good at madison square garden, but hey, there’s always the knicks there….!!!!!!
by bobby o'shea on Jun 24, 2009 9:19 AM EDT reply actions
At least you can catch an event in Jersey, and Philly now that it is sanctioned!
Im from Philly, but I haVE always wanted to catch an mma event live at the Garden….THank god, all i gotta do is walk 10 blocks to the Wachovia center to catch UFC action!
by JOhn G on Jun 24, 2009 10:28 AM EDT up reply actions
Cut n Paste job from BE:
FanHouse has confirmed through a source that White recently met with Belfort in Los Angeles. The source could not confirm that Belfort has signed any sort of deal with UFC, but we can also examine Belfort’s recent behavior for telltale clues
So to sum up, we have:
* Belfort stating an interest in re-joining the UFC dating back to Dec. 2007
* White and Belfort meeting in L.A.
* Belfort turning down an oversized opponent for a lower-risk, lower-reward match
* White fantasy booking a fighter whom he does not have under contract
by JOhn G on Jun 24, 2009 12:05 PM EDT up reply actions
Strikeforce fight in the works***
Pat Miletich vs. Mikey bURNETT
nOT really a fan of these freakshow fights involving old men, but if the uFC can throw Mark Coleman on the UFC 100 card, then I guess that Strikeforce can let these two grandpops duke it out!
by JOhn G on Jun 24, 2009 12:07 PM EDT up reply actions
What??I thought that Burnett was announcing his retirement?
A press conference was suppose to happen for this(retirement)!
by Alpha Male 360 on Jun 24, 2009 12:12 PM EDT up reply actions
Ultimate Chaos betting odds (the interesting ones)*
Lashly -550, Sapp +400 (not that it matters but Sapp is coming into this fight at his lowest fighting weight to date, 320 lbs as opposed to 365-400lb range)
tom Atencio is the favorite at -160, his opponent is +130
HOredecki -600
Din tHomas -240, Vazquez +190 (good jits)
Rizzo -145, Yvel +115. I have no idea why Yvel is the underdog. I would have him as the favorite against most strikers, especially old ones…Yvel has the kind of striking and overall toughness to bang with a guy like Alistar Overeem..I will be fORCED to wager some money on Yvel, especially since this fight is meaningful because the winner is the leading candidate to fight Buentello at Affliction 3 which should provide a nice paycheck for both fighters!
HOpe to see Cro Cop vs. Yvel down the line in DREAM
by JOhn G on Jun 24, 2009 12:12 PM EDT up reply actions
A few sites are saying that this fight is in the works. I think Mikey has to be cleared first (neck problems), but he said that he is fine and that he will be cleared
by JOhn G on Jun 24, 2009 12:20 PM EDT up reply actions
hahahah alpha! Have you lost your mind? Vitor already has had a meeting with Dana, and all you got to talk about is Mikey Burnett! That is the last thing that I posted that I thought anyone would care about…lol to each his own! lol
by JOhn G on Jun 24, 2009 12:21 PM EDT up reply actions
LMFAO!…Yeah I got to admit…it is weak!Give me a break bro i’m still on the party since last night(it’s our holiday in QC today)!
by Alpha Male 360 on Jun 24, 2009 12:30 PM EDT up reply actions
For Vitor and Cro cop…I am gonna wait a little longer john before making comments on these issues.I’ll Let’s things unfold instead of believing speculations and presumptions!
As for Yvel,it’s really a surprise to see him as an underdog.I would be please to see him face Buentello at A3…Yvel by KO for the 2 fights!
Can’t wait to see Dinyero in action…great card this weekend!
by Alpha Male 360 on Jun 24, 2009 1:58 PM EDT up reply actions
I like Mikey. His fight with Tadeu is one of my earliest intro vids to MMA. As far as Yvel, i like him at those odds against the rock. I would also like to see him face buentello. Alpha- showtime is gonna sub din. I am thinking triangle.
by NameNotRequired on Jun 24, 2009 10:30 PM EDT up reply actions
Bobby,
Assuming you are over 18 and not convicted of a felony, speak at the ballot box. I was asked recently a question regarding gov. and making money for the state or country. It is simple gov. lack foresight. They lack foresight because they are comfortable and want to be re-elected or offered another better (read higher paying) post.
To all New Yorkers on this site, vote out those that are holding up the vote on MMA. New ideas = new dollars.
by Jeff on Jun 24, 2009 11:22 AM EDT up reply actions
I’m guessing the stupid old white people who run things havent figured out how to make enough money to permit it. When they do, the UFC will be welcomed with open arms.
by MMAFan on Jun 24, 2009 9:46 AM EDT reply actions
I’m not sure how white people have anything to do with this. It’s stupid that you can make a negative comment based on race only if it pertains to whites. Put black or mexican in that sentence and you are a racist, but whites are fair game.
by RealDrew on Jun 24, 2009 10:36 AM EDT up reply actions
I agree…… That MMAFan’s comment was one of the most uneducated, simple minded, racist comments I’ve heard in a long time…. RealDrew is right in that if the word “whites” was replaced with any other ethnicity, then there would be law suits filed. Do us all a favor MMAFan, shut your computer off and never talk again. (BTW, I bet you’re not a “white” are you?)
by Non-Racist on Jun 24, 2009 10:53 AM EDT up reply actions
especially since the governor rite now is black lol
by bobby o'shea on Jun 24, 2009 11:08 AM EDT up reply actions
i’m a white guy, and to be honest… it is stupid old white ppl in power that ruin everything :P i mean come on, us whiteys enslaved the blacks for many many years and so much more…. surely we can take a few unchecked jabs.
by eightyproof on Jun 24, 2009 11:50 AM EDT up reply actions
It’s going to be crzy to see how many celebraties will show up. it’s going to be the hottest ticket in town for sho. get a little bit of vegas over there.
by Carnage on Jun 24, 2009 11:39 AM EDT reply actions
It’s a good thing that they have control of their bureaucracy in New York. It should be appalling to everyone in New York that legislation takes so long and can be so easily delayed.
by Freddy on Jun 24, 2009 11:42 AM EDT reply actions
Mane f the ny I ggot primos that live out there mane I tell mma and nada come paired to the streets out there mane these people are messing with us harcore mma fans so f them but lets enjoy july11th I’ll be there I can’t hopefully this card delivery us a knock blow to the head loc to tha brain
by king criminales on Jun 24, 2009 1:31 PM EDT reply actions
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Certain photos copyright © 2012 by Associated Press or Getty Images. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of Associated Press and Getty Images is strictly prohibited.
