Professional tennis players have gained significant control over their sport since the 1970s. The reason for this increased control is very simple. Both men and women tennis players formed associations: the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) and the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA), respectively. Before professional tennis players joined together to take control of their sport, • Read More »
All professional MMA fighters must go through an extensive licensing process with state athletic commissions before stepping into the ring. In Nevada, fighters must have a current Federal ID card for a mixed martial artist and undergo extensive medical tests, including HIV tests, brain MRI, and blood tests in order to obtain a license to fight • Read More »
In May 2015, UFC fighter Miesha Tate called attention to how current Reebok deal would be particularly unfair to women. The payout tiers for the deal will be determined by how many bouts a fighter has participated in for the UFC and other promotions the UFC acquired over the years. Since women were not allowed • Read More »
Negative reactions from fighters came quickly when the UFC released the payouts associated with the Reebok sponsorship deal on May 6, 2015. Dana White responded to the complaints about the upcoming Reebok apparel deal by mocking UFC fighter Brendan Schaub’s claims about losing substantial money as a result of the deal. UFC President Dana White • Read More »
UFC By the Numbers: “It’s a Business” “It’s a business.” This is a common refrain heard with respect to the UFC. But what does it really mean? Here are some basic figures we know about the UFC as a business.Ownership of Zuffa LLC [1] Frank and Lorenzo Fertitta: 81%. Approximately 72% is owned by Fertitta • Read More »
The NBA signed a gigantic multi-billion, multi-year TV deal, and the league and the players’ union have been grappling with the implications of a much higher salary cap as a result of the new TV deal. Regardless of how the revenue pie is divvied up, the assumption is that the athletes will make more. A • Read More »