MMA Union

[juliodenero]

With the ever declining list of top level promotions for MMA practioners to ply their trade, I was wondering whether fighters around the world (particularly the US) should band together and form a trade union of sorts.

Not to restrict entry to the trade, but to protect up and coming fighters from injury - some sort of levy to help with the medical bills and also to protect emerging fighters from being squezzed into under sized pay packets at the hands of a dominent single employer (nost notable the UFC)

Any thoughts?

[smoogy]

Originally Posted by juliodenero

With the ever declining list of top level promotions for MMA practioners to ply their trade, I was wondering whether fighters around the world (particularly the US) should band together and form a trade union of sorts.

Not to restrict entry to the trade, but to protect up and coming fighters from injury - some sort of levy to help with the medical bills and also to protect emerging fighters from being squezzed into under sized pay packets at the hands of a dominent single employer (nost notable the UFC)

Any thoughts?

They definitely need to set up a fighter's association, guys appearing on major UFC PPVs getting five thousand bucks is weak shit. There should be a minimum salary based on revenue in addition to insurance guarantees and pension plans.

[Clint]

Originally Posted by juliodenero

With the ever declining list of top level promotions for MMA practioners to ply their trade, I was wondering whether fighters around the world (particularly the US) should band together and form a trade union of sorts.

Not to restrict entry to the trade, but to protect up and coming fighters from injury - some sort of levy to help with the medical bills and also to protect emerging fighters from being squezzed into under sized pay packets at the hands of a dominent single employer (nost notable the UFC)

Any thoughts?

Meh, a union will never really work unless EVERYONE joins and I can't see that happening. Boxers have tried it before and failed. However a point should be made. The UFC is required to insure against any injuries that occur in the ring, as are all other sanctioned MMA organizations.

[Clint]

I'm not sure who moved this but I think it belongs in MMA discussion, so I'm moving it back (it was probably an accident, it's pretty easy to click the wrong box)

[Zenshotokai]

I know that players unions for major sports have a contract based upon a percentage of revenue. I am wondering why UFC can't do the same. It the company makes more money...so do the fighters...since they are the product.

I would like to know what the increase in purse % has been over the last five years as compared with total revenue by Zuffa. Heck, baseball and football players get a percentage of card sales!

My gut instinct is the the player's purse is not going up in accordance with the revenue that is being generated.

[TravelinMonty]

It'd be nice if Zuffa provided some sort of insurance/benefits for it's fighters.

[Clint]

Originally Posted by Zenshotokai

I know that players unions for major sports have a contract based upon a percentage of revenue. I am wondering why UFC can't do the same. It the company makes more money...so do the fighters...since they are the product.

I would like to know what the increase in purse % has been over the last five years as compared with total revenue by Zuffa. Heck, baseball and football players get a percentage of card sales!

My gut instinct is the the player's purse is not going up in accordance with the revenue that is being generated.

The big names get this as a percentage of the PPV. The lower card guys aren't drawing revenue and are replaceable so they don't get that cut. As for revenue vs pay, you have to remember prior to 2 years ago the UFC was losing money on each event so if the guys would have been getting a % of their revenue they would have owed money.

[The Sundance Kid]

What's the differance between a Guild and a Union?

[Bullock]

Yeah, I moved it by accident, lol

[Clint]

Originally Posted by The Sundance Kid

What's the differance between a Guild and a Union?

A guild is generally just an association but doesn't have the bargaining power of a union (although guilds are pretty much the precursor to unions)