Politico reports that the House voted in favor of military sports sponsorships. A bi-partisan amendment seeking to cut $72.3 million in sports sponsorships was voted against 216 to 202.
As we reported last week, the U.S. Army cut its sports sponsorship spending. Some proponents of the U.S. Army ban sought an expanded sponsorship ban and labeled the further ban the “UFC Amendment” after the MMA and its partnership with the U.S. Marines.
The language in the Amendment, via the USA Today, that addressed the sponsor ban in the budget read:
“None of the funds made available in this act may be used to sponsor professional or semi-professional motorsports, fishing, wrestling or other sports.”
The Culinary Union took interest in the ban and supported an effort for Veterans to call on the U.S. Marines Corp. to cut ties with the UFC. The Culinary Union, under the name or in conjunction with the group “Unite Here” produced a 2010 Sponsorship Agreement in addition to a press release. The Sponsorship Agreement was between the U.S. Marines and Zuffa and was for $2.1 million.
Payout Perspective:
The U.S. Marines will stay another year with the UFC but the vote was much closer than expected. As budgets tighten, a return on investment will be examined much more in detail. The argument for cutting military sponsorships was the lack of quantifiable return. With NASCAR, the pro-ban supporters believed that the sponsorship was not addressing the correct demo. The UFC audience is much younger and one can argue that its sponsorship makes sense especially when you think of young, males interested in combat sports.
I think the problem with NASCAR is it appeals to rural America which is already heavily involved with the military. It would be hard for a NASCAR sponsorship to improve on that especially with no drive i know of having any Military background. The UFC reaches the non rural demo that isnt as likely to join the military. They also have many fighters who have military experience and someone like Brian Stann who they can really promote.
Thanks for the coverage on this issue. In the end I’ll be surprised (though not necessarily shocked) if the Marines don’t continue the relationship for the foreseeable future. For basically the cost of one 30 second Super Bowl ad, they get year round coverage to a very key demographic, not to mention once a year assistance in fund raising for the wounded veteran organization.