Bloody Elbow is reporting that an impending lawsuit to be filed presumably by current fighters under contract by the UFC against the organization for violations of U.S. antitrust law.
Although no specifics were given in the report, the fighters that will seek class action status will seek millions of dollars along with treble damages (three times the actual amount) pursuant to relevant antitrust laws.
The report indicates that law firms renowned for its expertise in major class action litigation are attached to this lawsuit. Basically, these are serious claims filed by serious people.
Payout Perspective:
From an outsider perspective, one might assume that the Reebok deal was the last straw for fighters in their decision to take legal action against the UFC. The Ed O’Bannon trial which held in favor of the plaintiffs (although currently being appealed) and the NLRB decision which held that Northwestern football players could form a union are two of the recent legal opinions which we presume have aided the plaintiffs’ decision to file this legal claim. If fighters currently under contract with the UFC are plaintiffs, it presents a really curious (also, awkward) issue. Will these plaintiffs continue with the UFC during and after this lawsuit? Moreover, will the UFC allow for them to be a part of any further cards in the UFC? Obviously, that depends on the fighters.
Once the Complaint is filed, MMA Payout will provide you with more information.
I wonder if GSP is involved???
About time…
Good question saidathief. This lawsuit kind of came from nowhere and potentially opens a huge can of worms. Whichever fighters are involved in the suite must be very very upset and serious to take this route. The Payout Perspective here seems to be right on the money — the Reebok deal may have been the last straw. Very unfortunate if’s reached this point.
Rousey??
Maybe suing to prevent the banning of personal sponsors. Who knows. I do know any fighter who is active in the UFC and expects to stay in the UFC is an idiot if they are involved in this. They will learn the biggest lesson in the fight game. When styles make fights aand there is always someone who can beat you. You don’t piss off those who select your opponents.
Chickens coming home to roost.
Dis gon be good.
Zuffa is done.
Simply done at this point.
Even if the UFC wins this case it is going to cost them a lot of money to do so. With the debt payments they have to make, the headquarters they are building, and decreased income from events they can’t afford this fight.
They should settle out of court and drop the sponsorship deal. It will never happen though. It was a poor decision by Zuffa to force fighters to be sponsored by Reebok and not allow their own sponsors. I doubt GSP will be involved with this nor any of the other big named fighters because they will be compensated probably very well for it.
Random Dude, they can afford it, they are going to have a massive 2015 event wise.
Slightly off topic — but regarding the Reebok deal. The average per fight sponsorship pay is supposed to average $20K per fighter. And the fighter compensation was said to be “tiered” in the following way: Champions get most, followed by title Challengers, then fighters rated 1-5, then 6-10, then 11-15. But the UFC has about 560 fighters under contract, of which the above breakout (“rated fighters”) only covers less than 1/3 of them. Has anyone heard what compensation the unrated fighters will receive from Reebok?
Massive hahahaha….cm punk? hahaha….whether its out of court or not it would cost them huge sum of money….with loan due its a huge disaster…..and with this case the leverage would favor all fighters….
ufc fighters can now talk trash on dw and dw cant retaliate because they might join in the lawsuit or jumpship to bellator hahahaha….dw before diaz fight: dont know what to do with him if he wins…after diaz lost: ” take it seriously or retire” hahahaha…he cant fire diaz hahahahaha…the dictator is losing grip
Tops is like a 9 year old on the net. Nothing she says makes any sense. Their profits where down this year but they still made profit and made tons more in previous years not to mention the owners are sitting on plenty of money. To think they don’t have money to battle anyone In court is just ignorant. Also their loan isn’t much of an issue. You idiots have harped on it for years and you will keep harping on it for years more because it will be refinanced and dragged out longer.
He doesn’t fire Diaz because he doesn’t have to. Diaz either does what he is told and accepts the fights given or he sits on the shelve under contract. There is no reason to fire him and he only hurts himself. Also Diaz isn’t a draw and his ratings show it. His fan base is fans who are to poor and ignorant to buy PPV events. He has very little value the ufc is afraid to lose.
Sounds like a bunch of typical bullshit excuses and wishful thinking BS. If you think the UFC is standing tall then I guess boxing is a world wide institution, oh wait boxing is a world wide institution lol
More fighters would now join the suit…hahahahAhahaha
@sal “If you think the UFC is standing tall then I guess boxing is a world wide institution, oh wait boxing is a world wide institution lol” so UFC is standing tall is what you’re saying?
There is going to be a press conference tomorrow in San Jose, California, formally announcing the Lawsuit.
“A news conference to announce legal action by MMA professionals against the UFC. Plaintiffs’ names, news release and other details to be provided during the news conference. ”
http://www.bloodyelbow.com/2014/12/15/7397549/class-action-lawsuit-against-ufc-to-be-formally-announced-at-press
Tops came in her pants after she saw that lawsuit.
No jess if you read Brain Smashers post I was quoting him and replying Thanks
Cant wait to see DW go nuts and lie to everyone about the law suit, hahahahaha UFC lawyers are trying to medicate him right now so he’s docile tomorrow. Wait till the UFC has to open its books in court hahahaha the house of bullshit will soon be exposed. hahahahaha Imagine dana getting cross examined by a good attorney. MMA soap opera, hahahahaha
Saldaqueef.
Hahahahahahaha….sinking SHIP hahahahahaha…..
If the case goes to court and no settlements is reached….then ufcs financials would be examined in court…..ufc bubble would burst haha