Vote on MMA Bill in NY Assembly next week

Newsday reports that there will be a vote in the New York State Assembly on the possibility of legalizing mixed martial arts in the state.  The vote could possibly bring an end to a long battle to legalize the sport in the state.

A spokesman for Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie indicated that the vote should occur next week.  Allowing such a vote likely means that there is a sufficient amount of votes for passage.  After the measure passes, it will only need the governor’s signature to enact the bill.  In all likelihood Governor Andrew Cuomo should sign off on a bill that crosses his desk.  His office included MMA revenue in an executive budget proposal earlier this year.

According to the Newsday article, the bill to legalize MMA in the state needs a simple majority of 76 votes to pass.

Once passage occurs, the New York State Athletic Commission will have 120 days to adopt guidelines and regulations for use as the sanctioning body.

The UFC reserved a date this fall for an event under the assumption that MMA would be legal in New York either through passage of legislation or via an injunction related to a lawsuit filed this past September.  In addition, there is an appeal related to its November 2011 lawsuit against the state to overturn the current law prohibiting MMA in the state.  Oral argument on the appeal is set to be heard before the Second Circuit Court of Appeals next month.

Payout Perspective:

There is a bit of apprehension from many that have heard that MMA will be legal in the state and then it does not happen.  From all reports, a vote in the Assembly should finally put the rest the fight to legalize the sport in the state.  Of course, we have not heard from the opposition which includes, in part, the Culinary Union.  We shall see if they will make one final push to oppose the bill or have they just given up on the effort.