WHY DO BASEBALL, BASKETBALL, FOOTBALL, AND HOCKEY ALL HAVE ASSOCIATIONS?

Historically, owners have taken advantage of the athletes until they created a unified association to combat the owners’ greedy ways. Professional sports history shows how the formation of an association to collectively bargain employment terms has dramatically increased the compensation and working conditions of an organized membership. These associations have helped players financially and given them control over their careers and their life after they finish competing. The MMA business is a billion dollar industry where all fighters, even the ones at the top, receive only a fraction of what they deserve.

This will continue unchecked until there is a unified front on the part of the fighters in order to level the playing field and stop those at the top from taking advantage of the fighters in the Octagon. Remember – the fighters generate the revenue.

Solidarity

“As Executive Director of the Major League Baseball Players Association, I support the efforts of the fighters to organize. The solidarity and commitment of the group will be essential to their ability to protect and advance their workplace rights.”

Tony Clark
Executive Director | Major League Baseball Players Association

“I have been privileged to represent elite athletes for nearly 40 years, and believe now more than ever in the benefits of collective bargaining to secure and enhance terms and conditions of employment. That is why I fully support and encourage efforts of the fighters to organize a union to represent them.”

Donald M. Fehr
Executive Director | National Hockey League Players Association

Executive Director 1983-2009 | Major League Baseball Players Association

“The MLS Players Union supports the efforts of UFC fighters. By standing together, the men and women of UFC will have the best opportunity to ensure that their collective rights are protected.”

Bob Foose
Executive Director | Major League Soccer Players Union

“Professional athletes long ago proved the value of collectively organizing to protect their rights and share fairly and appropriately in the success of their respective sports. The NBPA fully supports these fighters in their efforts to form a union and receive all of the benefits and protections that a union can provide.”

Michele Roberts
Executive Director | National Basketball Players Association

“As a strong labor union, the NFL Players Association recognizes the need for a collective voice among athletes and supports the efforts of the UFC fighters to stand together as a team to advance their rights as working men and women.”

DeMaurice Smith
Executive Director | National Football League Players Association

Revenue Split of All Major Sports

In the four major sports that have unions, the revenue split is approximately 50/50 whereas the UFC, which has no union, has an inequitable share of the pie.

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Benefits

BENEFITS MLB, NBA, NFL, NHL UFC

Pension

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.
Yes No

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.
Yes No

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.
Yes No

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.
Yes No

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.
Yes No

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.
Yes No

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.
Yes No

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.
Yes No

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.
Yes No

Additional Needs

  • Uniform Fight Contracts
  • Life Insurance
  • Ranking System
  • Drug Policy

Our Team