Details emerge surrounding UFC potential ban and sponsorship fees

(For those that thought the UFC did not employ turn of the century union busting strong-arm tactics think again.)

New details are emerging regarding the UFC's latest actions with potential fighter sponsors and rival video games. 

The UFC recently put out word that all potential sponsors would be required to pay $100,000 for the right to sponsor a fighter every six months. This action has been painted as an attempt by the UFC to receive payment from sponsors who are benefiting from UFC exposure. While this reasoning is sound the costs incurred on the sponsors and the fighters they sponsor are not (not to mention their isn't a union or a collective bargaining agreement to ensure proper revenue sharing that exists in other sports where these deals exists). 

The people most effected by this decision are the preliminary card fighters who make around $3,000-$12,000 a fight. According to the Wrestling Observer Newsletter approximately 40% of their income is at risk due to this deal. 

Recently Electronic Arts announced that they are planning on releasing a new mixed martial arts game sent to launch in 2010. The UFC was not pleased with the announcement and put out word that any fighter who wants to fight in the UFC should not sign on with EA. 

More details are emerging about how exactly the UFC went about informing fighters of their potential banishment from the UFC if they signed a deal with EA. Again according to Josh Gross, "White is said to be adamant that aligning with EA is no different than declaring war on the UFC..." and White has acted accordingly. Ironically Randy Couture signed a deal with EA during his contractual dispute and will appear in the game. No word as of yet whether the UFC will discipline Couture. 

Whatever one thinks of the ethics or legitimacy of the UFC's response to a rival video game it is particularly strange considering THQ, the publisher with the UFC license, was on the verge of bankruptcy six months ago. While THQ has rebounded nicely it doesn't mean that the company is out of financial trouble. It is more than likely that in the future EA could offer an extremely lucrative deal to the UFC, akin to what they did with the NFL license. Why is the UFC making enemies with a video game publisher who could be a potential business partner in the future?

Also Zac Robinson of MMA Payout has an excellent reaction piece describing the UFC's actions as "tyrannical."