With a week left in the 2014 legislative session in New York, it appears that Dana White’s comments a couple weeks ago were prophetic. A vote legalizing MMA in the state will not happen in the State Assembly this year.
UFC Vice President of Regulatory Affairs Marc Ratner confirmed to MMA Junkie Radio he doesn’t expect a vote this year. “…I would say it will not make it to the floor again (this year),” Ratner said of the bill which will be bypassed yet again after passage through the state senate.
Ratner indicated that he was “cautiously optimistic” about the possibility of a bill but also stated that, “I feel like the handwriting is in big block letters on the wall and we’re not going to get it done this year.”
Ratner went on to express the frustration of the ordeal which we may assume is felt by White and many other MMA supporters in New York.
Via MMA Junkie:
“I’ve been to (New York state capital) Albany 20 times throughout the past five years, and it’s just wrong. One of my biggest analogies would be, give us a turn at bat, and if we strike out, then it’s on us. But to never, never get a chance and have the leadership of the Democratic assembly look around the room and say, ‘Not enough interest this year, let’s talk about medical marijuana,’ that’s all we get. It never comes to a vote.”
Payout Perspective:
Ratner indicated that they would need 76 of the 101 Democratic assembly members to have the MMA bill pass. Ratner says they have 60 sponsors and would need 16 more votes for passage. While the UFC appears to be softening the blow for what will be another empty legislative session, one has to wonder what else the UFC could do to facilitate a vote.
They messed with the wrong union… Blame Dana White and his loudmouth arrogance.
I hate seeing people delude themselves every year. Look, a couple of harsh truths: There is no Santa Clause. Pro MMA will never be legal in NY as long as the Fertittas are involved with the UFC (though amateur MMA will continue to be). The good news, perhaps, is that, if what I heard this week is credible, Zuffa is basically done spending any real money there and they are effectively withdrawing from that front from now on.
I hate unions, Dana White is a great guy and I am an idiot.
I have a stalker. I must be important!
Hey cotto martinez was a big hit at msg ny hahahaha…ggg would be in ny as well
Now that its nba finals and world cup nearing…wtch ufc people comment on the two sport and relate it to the ufc…..year after year after year hahaha
Love to watch live MMA fighting. New York is missing out.
Everything I just said was very idiotic. Sorry guys.
UFC should fight in Indian reservations in NY state