A proposed revision to the existing law legalizing mixed martial arts in the state of Connecticut may inhibit MMA events in the state according to promoters.
The current law, which was enacted in 2013, makes MMA promoters liable for health care costs associated with fighters’ long-term injuries.
The statement of purpose for the bill states: “To require promoters of boxing, sparring or mixed martial arts matches to continuously provide health insurance for the protection of boxers and competitors.”
The proposed language would read as follows with the deletions being in brackets and additions being underlined.
Any person, firm or corporation that employs, or contracts with, a person to be a boxer or competitor in a boxing, sparring or mixed martial arts match conducted pursuant to this chapter shall [be liable for any health care costs incurred by such competitor for the diagnosis, care and treatment of any injury, illness, disease or condition resulting from or caused] continuously provide insurance for the protection of the boxer or competitor in matches produced by such person, firm or corporation. Such insurance coverage shall provide for total reimbursement to the boxer or competitor for medical, dental, surgical and hospital care for all injuries sustained by such boxer’s or competitor’s participation in such match. [for the duration of such injury, illness, disease or condition.] The Commissioner of Emergency Services and Public Protection shall adopt such regulations, in accordance with chapter 54, concerning the insurance required by the provisions of this section.
The proposed legislation would take effect on October 1, 2014.
CTPost.com identifies the big issue with the proposed language:
Promoters would be required to cover the cost of injuries into perpetuity, rather than simply for an incident and period of recovery as in most states and under the state’s boxing regulations.
Payout Perspective:
If you are a promoter of a small promotion that wants to hold events in the state, passage of this law would be debilitating. Essentially, the added language to “continuously provide insurance” and “total reimbursement” that may result to a participant from a promoted event would be very costly. Donald Williams, the state senator that introduced the amendment to the bill, accused MMA operators that balked at the amendment accusing them of “not wanting to be responsible for the full costs of injuries that they know will result in this sport.”
This is a tough measure and a similar bill is being proposed right now in Albany in an effort to legalize professional MMA in New York. On one hand, you understand the intent of the amendment but on the other it would make it tough for a promotion to hold an event in the state. Another issue, which does not seem to be discussed on the face of the bill is determining how much and how long care would go to an injured fighter. This would also be a very tricky insurance issue as well. We have also heard from promoters that indicate similar rules in other states are rarely followed. This might be the reason for the addition of language.
MMA Payout will keep you posted.
The promoters just wont book fights in CT. It will cost CT jobs and revenue go figure. Ct is a shit market anyhow Hartford New Haven and a few casinos with smaller arenas.
What the hell does the guy mean by “injuries they know will result in the sport”? It sounds like this dumbass is accusing the sport of being overly dangerous and having long term health issues without having a single stitch of proof to back it up.
It sounds like this guy doesn’t know what he is talking about. Let him stay ignorant and let the people of Connecticut pay for his stupidity as MMA events go back to the Indian Casinos like they used to. Let the Mohegan Sun reap the rewards.
@BS – I think that’s what you will see if the amendment is passed – Tribal casinos holding more events in Conn. I think its the same thing that MMA proponents face in Albany when trying to get legislation passed for NY.
Just another ignorant, fool politician who has no clue about reality.