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UFC lobbying efforts versus the Ali Expansion Act tops $100K
- Updated: September 8, 2016
On May 26th, 2000 the United States Congress enacted the Muhammad Ali Reform Boxing Act. The legislation brought amendments to the Boxing Safety Act of 1996 which were aimed at reforming, ‘unfair and anti-competitive practices in the professional boxing industry.’ Among these amendments were added protections to boxers from ‘coercive contracts’, the implication of objective ranking systems, and the forced disclosure of certain financial information from boxing promoters and sanctioning bodies.
Exactly sixteen years later, Representative Markwayne Mullin (a Republican representing Oklahoma’s 2nd congressional district) introduced H.R. 5365, or the Muhammad Ali Expansion Act. With this proposed legislation, Rep. Mullin – a former MMA fighter – is attempting to expand the amendments brought about by the original Muhammad Ali Act into the world of Mixed Martial Arts.
For in-depth analysis of H.R. 5365, and what might happen to MMA and the UFC if it became law, see Bloody Elbow’s own Paul Gift and John S. Nash and their June 8th Show Money podcast, which addressed the issue and featured commentary from UFC veteran Jamie Varner. For even more info, also check out Nash’s April 18th interview with Rep. Mullin.
The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) signaled its objection to the proposed legislation – which if enacted would drastically impact their current business model – by hiring lobbyists with the intent of encouraging members of Congress to oppose the bill.
Documents, obtained by Bloody Elbow, revealed that the UFC’s current spending on lobbying activities related to the Ali Expansion Act currently tops over $100,000.
In a document, filed with both the Clerk of the House of Representatives and the Senate Secretary and dated July 14th, 2016, it is revealed that ZUFFA LLC paid SB Strategic an estimated $30,000 for J. Scott Bensing’s efforts in regards to ‘Ali Act monitoring’ in both the US Senate and US House of …
