http://profighters.org/ Taking dead aim at the UFC. The website is set up to explain their position to fighters. One of their main points is revenue splitting. Currently the UFC pays out an estimated 15% of revenue to the athletes. The NBA and NHL split 50/50. MLB and the NFL split with more than 50% going to the athletes. The PFA has secured endorsements from the Executive Directors of the MLBPA, NHLPA, MLSPA, and NFLPA. Manifesto: Pension Plan -- In the four major sports, if you play a certain number of years you become eligible to receive a pension (a regular payment after an athlete’s career) when you retire. In the UFC, no matter how long you’ve fought or how many fights you have on your record, you get nothing. Every working individual is entitled to plan for his or her retirement – you deserve this. Minimum Guarantees -- The four major sports in America all have minimum salaries, and so should the UFC. In some cases fighters are forced to pay for their own fights out of pocket. This is unacceptable. Health Care -- Unlike the four major sports, the UFC does not provide its fighters with comprehensive medical and dental insurance. Comprehensive medical and dental insurance, what was once thought to be a human right, the UFC withholds from its fighters. This is of vital importance — especially in a sport such as this one – where you risk your health every time you step in the Octagon to generate more revenue for the UFC. Grievance Procedure -- Currently if there is a dispute with a fighter, the UFC unilaterally determines the fate of said fighter. This current system can and has cost fighters millions after one oversimplified decision by the UFC. Disability Benefits -- In the four major sports, when an athlete gets put on the disability or injured reserved list, he still gets paid. This is not the case for UFC fighters – they receive no compensation as they recover in order to fight another day for an organization that works against them. Physical Therapy and Training -- In other sports, the cost of training is covered; but in the UFC, the fighter pays for 100% of his or her camp. Sometimes the cost of a fighter’s camp is more than the actual earnings from the fight. Agent Supervising -- As it stands now in the UFC, anyone can be an agent and there is no certification or educational process for agents to go through. Just like in the other major sports, there needs to be a governing body of these agents to ensure that fighter interests are protected. Share in Licensing, Merchandising, and Media Revenue -- Currently, the UFC has full control of how much–if any–revenue from licensing, merchandising, and media goes to the fighters. In other major sports, the revenue is usually shared amongst the talent (the backbone of the industry) and their respective organizations. Federal Law Protection against Retaliation from Management -- Once the Association is certified by the National Labor Relations Board, it is unlawful for the employer (the UFC) to retaliate or discriminate against any fighter for his or her participation in the Association. In addition, federal law guarantees that in any meeting with management where discipline is possible, the fighter is entitled to a representative from the Association. Other concerns: Uniform Fight Contracts Life Insurance Ranking System Drug Policy
One of the founders is Lucas Middlebrook. You might remember Middlebrook as Nick Diaz's kickass lawyer during the NSAC hearing.
As you might already know, the MMAFA (Fighters Association) is already a thing. It just hasn't gained much traction. http://mmafa.tv/ A little sad to see Ryan Jimmo on their front page. The MMAFA have been pushing for the Ali Act. The MMAFA and the PFA have similar goals in mind. The PFA is strictly focused on the UFC while the MMAFA is broader. Not sure how these two groups will gel.
^ Nate Quarry is unhappy with the PFA. He says they can smell money. Are these guys supposed to be doing this out of altruism?
^ Borris is a charmer. Easy to see how he landed such enormous clients in MLB. Few takeaways (TLDW's)... - Needs just over half of the fighters to sign agreements to ratify, so something like 301 signatures, but would only proceed with an overwhelming majority, he says 590 of 600, needs that kind of show of strength to negotiate - All of the UFC fighters he has spoken to relate to him a fear of reprisal from the UFC but he has assured them American law prevents employers from interfering with unionization - Has spoken to many fighters and fighter agents, claims to have overwhelming support, is attempting to speak to every fighter under UFC contract sooner than later, trying for 5-10 per day - Says the lowest level (ten-ten) fighters support the effort as do the highest level fighters, has had no pushback from fighters thus far - Focused on the UFC because it is the premier fighting league, models it after MLB/MLBPA, doesn't see them expanding beyond the UFC, considers other promotions outside leagues - The union would have he says about 12 board members, all fighters, preferably passionate/educated ones, who would make decisions with council, negotiate, and orchestrate votes - The board would decide on pension qualification/allocation, distribution of funds, how to split revenue, etc. - He is currently not the executive director of the organization and the members would vote on that when the time came, including on compensation for staff - Doesn't view the MMAFA and other groups as competition, says their goals are not incompatible, would rather work with than against them, disappointed that some have sniped at him - Will be holding a press conference in Las Vegas on Thursday, has promised not to name names but could feature at least one UFC fighter on his dais - Sees the process of ratification taking about six months based on the support he is getting, things are moving very quickly - Says the process began when he was shown the McGregor/Diaz 1 fight contract, immediately took an interest, says half the contract is illegal, unenforceable, and hilarious, but it is boilerplate for the UFC - Has met with DFW, Lorenzo, other big wigs with the UFC, was told the fighters were "independent contractors", left the meeting emboldened and determined to help fighters unionize - Hasn't spoken to UFC since, they won't acknowledge him until the union is a thing, doesn't expect to hear from them on Thursday - Will be traveling to UFC events to continue to network with fighters, coaches, agents, and obviously feels an impetus to get this together ASAP - Is looking to expand his team (currently four people) adding more experts, especially someone who is an expert in CTE in sport - He is a former professor of sport law, a lawyer, very familiar with past unionization efforts/obstacles in other sports
Supposedly the show Arli$$ which was on HBO in the 90's is based off of Jeff Boris? I didn't know this.
