15 for 15: No. 12 – MMA Bill fails again in New York

In what many thought would be the year, a bill which would legalize mixed martial arts in the state of New York did not make it to a vote in the state Assembly in Albany.

There was more hope this year for a law in the state with the removal of Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver.  Silver was arrested on federal corruption charges in January as he allegedly received “more than $6 million in outside income from two law firms since late 2002” as a result of kickbacks per the Complaint filed against him.  Many, including UFC head Dana White, accused Silver of blocking a vote in the Assembly.  Silver stepped down from his post in the Assembly in late January and was replaced with Bronx Assemblyman Carl Heastie.  In the past, Zuffa had contributed to Heastie’s campaign so there was a feeling that this year would be different.

MMA Payout spoke with Jim Genia prior to the Assembly calendar ending.

Even with a concerted effort to attempt to push the bill through once again which included revamping the bill to appease legislators, it fell short of a vote.  This, despite extra days extending the Assembly calendar.

This year’s UFC lobbying included Ronda Rousey meeting with the Governor Cuomo and Zuffa establishing an online petition for New Yorkers in which residents of New York that signed up would receive a free one-month subscription of Fight Pass.  It didn’t work.

If a preliminary injunction is not granted by a federal court in New York, UFC 198 set for Madison Square Garden in April 2016 will not occur.  With an appeal of the UFC’s original lawsuit still pending oral argument before the Second Circuit, the best way for the UFC to appear in New York (legally) would be via legislation.  While there are already pro-MMA rallies in the state, is there anything that the UFC could do differently this year that could see a law actually get to a vote in the state Assembly?