California bill AB2100 my cause UFC to leave California.

[LordZardoz]

Found a few things about this in my usual google search for UFC news.

http://www.pasadenastarnews.com/busi...d-martial-arts

Bill by Luis Alejo looks to eliminate what he sees as abusive contracts, freeing up fighters to make more money. Assembly Bill 2100 would prevent promoters from claiming unreasonable future merchandising rights, prevent unreasonable restrictions on fighters' seeking outside sponsors and prohibit other onerous contract provisions.

This is also one of the few times a bleacher report link seemed informative and useful.

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1...a-legistlation

The above is probably not altogether bad, but I expect that it is overreaching. The implementation seems inspired by Rob Maysey's failed attempt to create the 'Mixed Martial Arts Fighters Association', and since it kind of sticks it to the UFC, the Culinary Union seems to be pushing for it as well.

It seems that Fertita has also responded.

t is therefore troubling that AB2100 would specifically impede bringing business to California and would intentionally drive the business to states with a more reasonable tax and regulatory framework.

Indeed, AB2100 would remove the economic certainty of television taxes and would place an undue and unacceptable burden on all promoters of televised unarmed combat.

Thus, the proposed tax structure would actually result in fewer events in California, and would directly harm California’s athletes, arenas, hotels, restaurants, shopkeepers and all of their respective employees and families.

I cannot find any text for the proposed law myself. Anyone here know where to look?

END COMMUNICATION

[Onion]

A bunch of MMA fighters were at a rally today opposing the bill.

I saw the bill today, but don't remember where. I'll try and find it.

[Cbear]

from www.f4wonline.com

--There was testimony in Sacramento yesterday for Assembly Bill 2100 that would prevent MMA promoters from negotiating merchandising rights with fighters that would continue after the term of the contract, prevent such things as championship clauses (where the champion is tied to the promotion until he loses the title), rights to match offers (where the promotion can keep a contracted fighter if they choose by matching an existing outside offer) and make it illegal for a promotion to keep any sponsors for sponsoring fighters. It would also tax all PPV revenues on events in the state 5%, the same percentage that caused UFC to stay out of Oklahoma and threaten to sue the state. UFC sent people including Ronda Rousey, Chuck Liddell, Matt Hughes, Marc Ratner and attorney Laurence Epstein to testify against the bills, but it was still passed by a 5-3 margin. Ironically, the most persuasive speaker of all was Frank Shamrock, who announces for Zuffa-owned Strikeforce, but testified for the passage of the bill. Also testifying for the bill was former UFC fighter Antonio McKee.

[Onion]

Here's the bill

http://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/fa...01120120AB2100

[fightfan10]

This looks very good for fighters.

[PITTFOX]

Not big fan of the sponsor thing.

[Vanno]

Will be interesting to see what, if any, fallout occurs as a result of this. Some aspects of the bill seem to be sensible. I'd think that there isn't enough travel to Vegas to justify abandoning such a large market entirely.

[tantryl]

I think that now the UFC has established itself in the USoA this can actually be a good thing.

Up until about 2007-2008 I think it would have made it so much harder to turn a profit that the UFC would have fallen like the majority of televised MMA orgs. But after 4ish years of doing quite well and being quite stable I think this is something they could survive and would be good in the long run.

[Vanno]

California is the anti-China of the world in regards to attracting business.

[Cbear]

California is the anti-China of the world in regards to attracting business.

Thats a good way to put it. They are always at the forefront of insane legal rulings, anti-business rules and a haven for illegal immigration.