The New Jersey Star-Ledger reports that the UFC was turned away at the NFL’s Super Bowl Media Day on Tuesday. NFL officials chased down UFC reps trying to obtain pictures of NFL players wearing the UFC Championship belt.
The NFL did not want it around as league officials believe it was “wrestling stuff.” The official for the NFL, Dennis Kayser stated, “we don’t want that associated with us and this event. This is the NFL.”
It was not until Fox’s Jay Glazer explained the UFC-Fox corporate partnership did the NFL back off of the UFC reps. Even then, Kayser clarified not to show the belt on the podium.
Payout Perspective:
Some of the NFL apprehension to the championship belt wearing may stem from various players wearing pro wrestling belts. The WWE has sent players in the NBA (e.g., LeBron James) and MLB (recently Boston Red Sox David Ortiz) replicas of its belts to wear. It could have been that the NFL did not want any non-partner to overshadow the NFL’s “media day.” A little “chickens coming home to roost” situation for the UFC as many complain of the UFC’s stringent media practices. This time, the NFL came down on the UFC for trying to overshadow the league on the day. Of course, NFL “media” day is more of a free-for-all so maybe that’s why the UFC thought it could take its liberties. The other thought is why didn’t the UFC, a Fox partner, not coordinate something with the NFL today or sometime this week for media to promote UFC 169?
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