NY Governor Patterson puts MMA sanctioning on the table [update]

speeds · Jan 11, 2010

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/2010/01/11/2010-01-11_gov_wants_deficit_to_go_pow_bam_crunch.html

ALBANY - Gov. Paterson is set to propose legalizing ultimate fighting and its controversial steel-cage matches to help wrestle the state's fiscal woes.

Madison Square Garden and upstate venues have supported the idea in hopes of hosting its events. An Ultimate Fighting Championship league match scheduled for Newark in March sold out last week.

Paterson, who has said the state faces a deficit of up to $9 billion, is looking for ways to generate revenue without raising taxes or borrowing and will reveal his proposal in his 2009-10 budget plan Jan. 19, sources told the Daily News.

Supporters say legalizing the sport would result in millions of dollars for the cash-strapped state - not just from the matches but also the economic impact on hotels, restaurants and other businesses.

A study done in 2008 by the Ultimate Fighting Championship organization estimated one event would generate $11.5 million in economic activity in New York City and $5.2 million in Buffalo. Ultimate Fighting Championship estimates there could be two or three events a year in New York.

Ultimate fighting takes place in steel cages and allows punching, kicking and choke holds. Matches end with knockouts, submission by a fighter or a referee's or doctor's order. The sport is regulated in 42 states, including New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Nevada, Florida and California.

New York banned it in 1997 at the urging of then-Gov. George Pataki, who called it barbaric. A bill to reverse the ban and allow the sport to be regulated by the state Athletic Commission has died the past two years in the Assembly.

In another revenue-raising scheme, Paterson's no-new-taxes pledge might not extend to smokers: He raised the possibility of boosting the state's cigarette excise tax of $2.75 per pack, already the nation's third highest.

"If things get rough, we might go back to a cigarette tax that would be devoted to health care," he told 106.9 FM radio in Syracuse. "We would think about doing that."

New York last hiked its cigarette excise tax by $1.25 in June 2008. That's on top of the $1.50 per pack the city charges and the federal excise tax of $1.01 per pack. The average pack in New York City now costs near $10.
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speeds · Jan 12, 2010

Re: NY Governor to endorse MMA legalization

http://www.bloodyelbow.com/2010/1/12/1247120/lift-the-ban-watch-former-new-york

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/201...tal_for_steelcage_fighting.html#ixzz0cPL4kRP2

Change of heart for 'barbaric' sport: Ex-Gov. Pataki pedal to metal for steel-cage ultimate fighting

ALBANY - Former Gov. George Pataki, who once called ultimate fighting barbaric and had it banned in 2001 in New York, now supports its legalization.

"With more rigorous oversight, training and medical requirements - mixed martial arts has made considerable strides to ensure the safety of participants," said Pataki spokesman David Catalfamo.

"With these measures in mind, Gov. Pataki would be supportive of allowing the sport in New York in today," he told the Daily News.

Regulated in 42 states, ultimate fighting, commonly known as mixed martial arts, takes place in steel cages and allows punching, kicking and choke holds.

No longer allowed are the throat shots, finger-breaking, hair-pulling and groin kicks that give the sport its no-holds-barred reputation.

The News reported yesterday that Gov. Paterson plans to include a call to legalize the controversial sport in his 2010-11 budget proposal due out next week.

Even with the changes in recent years, Assemblyman Bob Reilly (D-Saratoga) still likened the sport to "dog-fighting," calling it a "vicious, unregulated activity."

Supporter Assemblyman Jonathan Bing (D-Manhattan) said he hopes "either through legislation or the budget we can get it on the books" to help generate needed revenue for the state.

Citing successes in other cities and states, Ultimate Fighting Championship league Vice President Marc Ratner said, "We are confident that we would generate similar economic activity, if given the opportunity, in New York State."
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speeds · Jan 12, 2010

Re: NY Governor Patterson & Former Governor Pataki want to legalize MMA in state

The momentum is building! MSG 2010!

Colonel Ronan · Jan 12, 2010

Re: Governor Patterson & Former Governor Pataki want to legalize MMA in NY

I didn't even know it was illegal -- Wut?

speeds · Jan 12, 2010

Re: Governor Patterson & Former Governor Pataki want to legalize MMA in NY

Ronan said: ↑

I didn't even know it was illegal -- Wut?
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Pro MMA is banned in New York, for now. It is also banned in Ontario.

speeds · Jan 20, 2010

Re: Governor Patterson & Former Governor Pataki want to legalize MMA in NY

http://www.examiner.com/x-902-Mixed...-York-moves-one-step-closer-to-legalizing-MMA

Although one particularly pesky state assemblyman by the name of Bob Reilly has made big efforts to keep MMA from being sanctioned in the state of New York, the sport has a new ally. Governor David Paterson included MMA sanctioning in a new budget that he proposed earlier today.

Like many states, New York is dealing with a budget deficit. Understandably, Paterson doesn't understand why his state is passing on the growing revenues generated by the fastest growing sport in America. “Currently, 40 States safely regulate the sport of mixed martial arts and enjoy local and statewide economic benefits associated with the conduct of mixed martial arts events,” reads a summary from Paterson’s office of his revenue proposals. “While New York’s ban on professional combative sports would be removed, conduct of the sport would be carefully regulated.”

New York's budget process has to be completed by April 1st, so if MMA can keep it's place in the final package, New Yorkers could get their fight fix much sooner than expected. Assuming that it could take up to six months for the state's athletic commission to get ready to sanction events, there's still a chance that it could happen this calendar year.

Stay tuned as I will continue to update this story with any big developments.
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NY Governor Patterson puts MMA sanctioning on the table [update]

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NY Governor Patterson puts MMA sanctioning on the table [update]

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