The unsurprising and long awaited announcement that the UFC has signed a ‘Fighters Uniform’ contract with a major sports apparel company was announced this week.
It could possibly have far reaching consequences for any athlete who competes under it’s banner.
By restricting what the fighters are allowed to wear, and by the same token eliminating all outside sponsorships in the cage, the UFC has taken control of its roster of athletes to a new level, possibly hitting a few of them in the wallet at the same time.
It is a well known fact that fighting in the UFC does not pay big bucks, many fighters regularly fight for $3000 to show and $3000 to win. Hardly retirement pay.
What has helped to alleviate this problem in the past was the addition of sponsors, who in return for the publicity, supplemented the income of the official fight purse.
In recent years the UFC has sought to benefit from the existence of sponsors, fighter Nate Quarry spoke about the gradual intrusion of the promotion into something which was exclusively the fighters preserve.
“When I signed with the UFC this is what I was told, ‘We can’t pay you much but you can get any sponsors you want’,” he said.
“Then: We need to approve your sponsorships. Then: You can’t have any conflicting sponsors. Then: You can’t thank your sponsors after fights.
“Then: We are not approving sponsors that we don’t like their product. Then: Your sponsors have to pay us a fee of $50 000 for the pleasure of sponsoring you. Then: Your sponsors have to pay us a fee of $100 000 for the pleasure of sponsoring you.”
It is easy to realise how the last two measures affected fighters. Basically, the UFC was receiving money which would otherwise go directly to the athlete. Though there have been few fighters to publicly comment negatively on the issue (Josh Barnett and Felice Herrig being notable exceptions) there is a groundswell of opinion that this will benefit the UFC more than individual fighters.
Despite the announcement that all proceeds from the deal would be returned to the competitors it is another restriction on a fighter’s choices which has been eroded.
The UFC is the pre-eminent MMA organisation in the world and clearly feels comfortable in this role to be able to make unpopular decisions like this. Time will tell if this is beneficial to competitors, but rest assured, as long as they are number one the UFC will be pulling the strings.
James Bakker
Roar Rookie
There a pros and cons, at least the smaller guys won't have to go around hunting for sponsors. It will also make the sport look a bit more professional, without dogy law firms and loan dealers all over the back of fighters shorts
Dave Brooksbank
Roar Pro
It's probably they will not see a dime for the deal directly. But they will see increased revenue from clothing becoming more standardized. We will see what happens :D
Dave Brooksbank
Roar Pro
Yes Andrew I completely concur, The difference however that the UFC have over (for instance) boxing is that while the general public may have known who Don King was, they would have had a far greater awareness of boxing. Many simply know MMA as "UFC" and this gives the organisation a huge advantage in marketing. If however athletes start to move to other promotions they may start to change their tune!
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
Dana White said the UFC "won't see a dime". I find that very hard to believe.
Andrew George
Roar Guru
Dave, I think it is simply a matter of time for the UFC to bend on matters like this. Whilst they have a massive market share they will continue to do things to monopolise fighters. As the NHL found out - in contact sposts when the athletes begin to vote with their feet the promotions position becomes untenable. Anyone who believes that an organisations dominance is assured just has to look at the Microsoft- Apple phenomenon or the rise of Toyota ... if you copy an opponents approach and attract better people - you will eventually win. Just ask Don King.