The UFC issued a statement in which it announced that it has retained the law firm of Boies, Schiller & Flexner to defend it against plaintiffs seeking class action status alleging Zuffa of violating antitrust laws.
Per the UFC web site:
We have built a popular business from modest beginnings by meeting the needs of fans and fighters. Millions of people have watched our bouts, we have instituted leading health and safety measures for our athletes, and fighters are free to negotiate contract terms.
We will stand up against the plaintiffs in this litigation every step of the way, and have engaged attorneys from Boies, Schiller & Flexner LLP with a depth of experience in antitrust issues.
Bill Isaacson, our lead litigator, says, “The antitrust laws have long favored companies that create new products and services that consumers want. That is exactly what the UFC has done here through its long and substantial investment in building a popular sport.”
We are proud of the company we have built, confident in our legal position, and intend to prevail in this lawsuit.
Payout Perspective:
Boies, Schiller & Flexner is a high profile firm as some may recognize the last name Boies as David Boies from Bush v. Gore (Boies represented Gore) fame. Lead counsel appears to be Bill Isaacson, a partner with the firm. According to his bio, he provided key cross-examination (according to me the hardest thing to do in litigation) of NCAA witnesses in the 2014 case of O’Bannon v. NCAA. Isaacson, who was one of the attorneys representing the plaintiffs, prevailed on behalf of O’Bannon. With the retention of its attorneys, it will be an interesting and hotly contested matter. Stay tuned in 2015.
if the UFC fights were as hotly contested as the lawsuits, Zuffa ratings and PPV numbers would be through the roof
Hahahaha…the ” humble” PR by the ufc….would be effective if dw was not a dictator all these years and aggressive in bashing fighters now it really looks pathetic….dw is afraid hahahaha…..from modest beginnings?maybe seg times….but zuffa spending huge sums at the start is not modest at all hahahahahahahahaha pathetic