The UFC ranked second to the NFL in terms of lobbying expenses of sports organizations for 2012. The UFC spent $620,000 last year in lobbying efforts which mostly relate to anti-piracy laws and educating legislators on MMA.
According to MMA Junkie (via OpenSecrets.org), the UFC spent $620,000 which would be a 51% increase from 2011. Last year was the biggest year of lobbying spending for the company. In 2013, it has spent only $110,000 in lobbying expenses.
The UFC has retained SB Strategic Consulting which also has Stations Casino as a client and Brownstein, Hyatt, et al. as its lobbying firms. Brownstein, Hyatt, et al. is a law firm with a Government Relations department.
The UFC ranked second to the NFL ($1.14 million) in terms of sports leagues that spend money on lobbying. Third behind the UFC was the PGA at $380,000 followed by MLB at $310,000 and the Bowl Championship Series at $270,000.
Payout Perspective:
An interesting look at how much the UFC spends in hopes of influencing legislators and educating them on its sport. The anti-piracy laws relate to Zuffa’s bottom line when it comes to PPVs and the education of the sport is a very important matter especially if the sport is to gain wider acceptance. We shall see if Zuffa will ramp up its efforts in lobbying in the future.
I would imagine alot of that was spent in ufcs failure to get into nyc. Guess they have given up for now, or at least this years expenses would indicate.
I’m sure UFC would be in new York 2014……I BELEIVE……..multiple times is a charm…I will be there in the first ever fight in MSG…..hahaha….
It will happen eventually but don’t ever underestimate the dysfunction in Albany.