Despite the fact that the New York Assembly passed legislation to legalize MMA in the state, Governor Andrew Cuomo has yet to sign the bill into law. Thus, the New York Times published an op-ed piece calling for the governor to veto the MMA bill.
The opinion piece by Nicole Gelinas of the Manhattan Institute is a valid but antiquated argument about the reasons not to legalize MMA in the state. The op-ed highlights the issue of health and safety as a reason to continue the ban on the sport. The writer argues that the legalization of MMA in the state will “cause more traumatic brain injuries among vulnerable young people.” To double down to emphasize the risk, the writer gives a worst case scenario that these injures could result in “lifetime disabilities.”
The editorial goes on to do what everyone does when they don’t want to address a controversial issue. Put it off for a later date. The op-ed states that there needs to be more time to study the issue. And while there is an acknowledgment that the NFL has similar issues with head injury, it is better organized as opposed to MMA’s “gig economy.”
Payout Perspective:
There are (at least) two sides to every issue. While the anti-MMA editorial in the NY Times calls for Governor Cuomo to veto the legislation based on health and safety reasons. The fact is that unregulated MMA goes on in New York and there are legally run MMA gyms already in the state. The article does not address this. While it is valid to say that MMA fighters are susceptible to head injuries, it’s scare tactics to infer that the sport may lead to “lifetime disabilities.”
It’s clear that the op-ed is against combat sports and believes that banning the sport would benefit the state. The reasons are similar to those that are not familiar with the sport and see as much more violence than sport. Does the op-ed hold any persuasion with the Governor?
Its the same mindset that has wanted to ban boxing since the 19th century, is on the band wagon of watering down and banning the nfl, and now they are targeting mma. thats life in a PC state like NY……anything deemed masculine and dangerous is to be banned. If people paid that mess less mind we wouldnt be dictated to by the metrosexual pc crowd
NYC is probably the least PC state there is.
Go to Brooklyn or the Bronx and tell me its PC.
When i think PC, i think of the south.
The people are not pc (I know I’ve lived there) the politicians there are just off the rocker though
you gentlemen understand that I mean….take a look at Cuomo….court adjourned.
How you can want the sport banned based on the on proven idea of protecting a few hundred people a year in the state. While you have thousands, and mostly kids, playing football each year. Not to mention the othe sports. To put focus on MMA shows bias and corruption. It would be interesting is this person has spent any significant time going after those other sports for safety. If she is a health advocate who has been going after football then I will respect her opinion. If this is a one time thing for her to attack MMA then she is talking out her ass and has no credibility!
The greatest. You must not know what PC means! You have it backwards!