Zuffa is Just Acting like an Employer; Jon Fitch is Just Acting Stupid
Posted by MMA Curmudgeon on 20th November 2008
I hope those fictional royalties from a theoretical video game really pay off for Mr. Fitch. They’d have to be significant to make his decision to refuse to sign his latest UFC contract make a lick of sense. Let’s make it clear what is really happening here (online talk of “monopolies” and a “fighter’s union” muddy the waters). Fitch has decided that he will leave his high paying job, in the midst of one of our nation’s greatest economic down periods, because of the possibility he will miss out on a few extra checks for his likeness.
Here’s a hint: if you are not in the UFC, no one cares about you. You don’t have to worry about turning down future video game and endorsement opportunities–because there aren’t any meaningful opportunities for you. What makes this even more non-sensical: Zuffa isn’t even asking for exclusive rights. Fighters are still able to pursue endorsement deals on their own. They just want to be able to market UFC fighters in ways that create long term value for the company and the fighters.
As usual, the MMA media has decided that Zuffa/UFC are the bad guys. Ivan Trembow is just representative of the hand-wringing and boo-hooing all over the internet:
Posted in Jon Fitch, MMA Curmudgeon | 13 Comments »
