The Boston Herald’s Jack Encarnacao wrote about the UFC’s uniform deal with Reebok prior to the company’s event on Sunday night. The article includes some enlightening comments from UFC CEO Lorenzo Fertitta.
Fertitta addressed the issue of withholding five-figure payments from some fighters after they violated the UFC Outfitting Policy. This stems from December’s UFC on Fox event where Donald Cerrone, Nate Diaz and possibly Rafael dos Anjos were fined for not abiding by the uniform policy. The UFC did not officially name these fighters although it was noted that the three fighters had variations of the uniform (or did not wear a Reebok-sponsored clothing) during fight week.
Fertitta told the Herald that it was not fair for fighters not to comply with the new policy. He also stated that the UFC doles out more money to its fighters than it receives in royalty payments from the Reebok arrangement. The goal is to one day have Reebok synonymous with the UFC.
In addition to Fertitta, the Encarnacao spoke to Reebok brand president Matt O’Toole about the deal. He was bullish about the partnership stating that not only does he believe that the deal will appeal to those who train but as a lifestyle brand.
Payout Perspective:
It’s clear from the article that the UFC and Reebok are dedicated to the partnership. Also clear is that there is no way to fact check whether or not Fertitta’s claim is correct in stating that the UFC is paying out more than it is receiving from Reebok. We do not challenge the veracity of Fertitta’s words, but since the UFC is a private company, there is no independent source to determine its accuracy. The deal as stated in the article and previously by other outlets if worth $70 million.
The first six months of the deal has proven to be a learning experience for Reebok to say the most. We will see if Reebok can right its wrongs in the next six months of the deal. Certainly, the UFC and Reebok are hoping that over time, people will warm up to the deal.
I think the Reebok talk will die down when everybody who has a UFC deal signs a new contract, where they know what they will get from the UFC & Reebok, right now certain fighters are losing money but if they sign a new deal then they know what they are signing on too.
Hahaha fertita trying to make a positive spin…company made 600m,reebok deal,new cfo,are they selling bigger stake in the ufc?or staions ipo?
If you read comments regarding the ipo of stations…a lot of investors are cautioned on investing because of how the fertitas run theyre business…..integrity issues,now they need all the positive spin hahahaha
I think the deal is a stepping stone to a bigger and better deal. Plus, with Adidas ownership they’re eyeing for the big dogs.
Station casinos and Ufc money are not tied together.
I do see a big company like 21st Century Fox buying Ufc one day just like Disney buying wwe.
This deal is absolutely DISASTROUS. What was Reebok’s goal? To attract customers from the MMA fanbase. MMA fans HATE Reebok now, they are a joke, the shit they came up with is fugly.
Furthermore, the deal as opened a lot of fighters to the idea of free agency. Ballator can offer them an interesting deal, but the fact that they can get a hell of a lot more in sponsorship than they can with the UFC deal makes it work for the first time.
Expect the deal to further sour and that both parties will agree to opt out in a maximum of two years from now.
Not too many deals go smoothly in the first 6 months.
Why would both sides opt out? Reebok getting advertising and Ufc getting money.
Don’t get it twisted, the only fans complaining are the Twitter geeks that makes up 3% of the fan base. They always find something to complain about.
Tops head started to explode once he saw the ppv numbers from this year. He can’t take it. HAHAHAHA!
I like the Reebok sponsorship! The only fighters complaining where the fighters already complaining about pay before the deal.
Low level fighters should not hire an agent until they climb up the ranks more. Get you some local sponsors, cash your Reebok check, save 15% that would go to an agent. Very few fighters are losing anything significant. Unless you are marketable like a Sage or Paige. Why hire an agent as a rookie? You know what the going rate for rookies is in the UFC. Negotiate your own contract and settle for just reebok money and local sponsors. And fight out your contract and put yourself in a better position. After 6 fights if you have done well you might be in position for decent money and have a need for an agent.
Hahaha pathetic copying my name….sounds like dw paid fanboys…dont want to touch the station casino and ufc loan and the new cfo,flash involvement….hahaha…
A lot of heavyweights in boxing are exciting this new champ charles martin,southpaw with power…you got wilder one punch ko,david haye is back fast explosive ko artist cant talk a lot and self promotes,anthony joshua fast with ko as well,kingkong ortiz,ko as well,tyson fury not that strong but can self promote as good as mcgregor,parker from nz power puncher as well….there should be a super 6 in the hw….
E is actually the first letter of my last name. Haha
Reebok deal will get better over time. Keyword: time
Key word time…so tell D that regarding pbc…give it time hahaha
Top heavyweights wilder,haye,klitscko?,tyson fury,povetkin
New up and coming : joshua,kingkong,charles martin,parker,
Can still hang in there: areola,stiverne,chisora
Old bout….shannon briggs and if they allow ibeabuchi.
Everybody has k.o power and majority are exciting….
4 can self promote if given mic time
Tops’ dream of PBC working is getting more amusing as the months go by with digressing numbers.
…Shannon Briggs……..HAHAHA!!!
Heavyweight,welter and middleweight some light heavy good divisions for boxing
Heavyweight,welter and middleweight some light heavy good divisions for boxing